Vigorous campaigns for funds were conducted in the States, and campaign meetings were held in several large cities. In June, 1876, the society published a further appeal, signed by its officers. President Grant was ex officio president of the society at the time. On August 2, 1876, Senator John Sherman offered a concurrent resolution in the Senate that the Monument to commemorate the achievements of George Washington in behalf of the Republic be completed during the centennial year. A bill appropriating $200,000 for the project was approved by the President that day. At the same time a special board of officers was detailed from the Corps of Engineers to investigate and report on the sufficiency of the foundations. [Illustration: UNCOMPLETED WASHINGTON MONUMENT AS IT APPEARED FROM 1852 TO 1878] The board appointed in 1876 reported that the foundations were not sufficient, and the first work undertaken by the Government consisted in underpinning the structure. This was accomplished under the direction of Lieut. Col. Thomas Lincoln Casey, afterwards Chief of Engineers, United States Army, who was the engineer in charge of construction of the State, War, and Navy Building at the time, and later of the Congressional Library Building. Colonel Casey was assisted by Capt. George W. Davis, United States Infantry, later major general, who was afterwards relieved by Bernard R. Green, C. E. The work of excavating beneath the Monument was commenced January 28, 1879, and the new foundation was finished May 29, 1880. Colonel Casey stated in his report: The project or design of the work is an obelisk 550 feet in height, faced with white marble and backed with dressed granite rock. Of this structure 156 feet is already finished. The base of the Monument is 55 feet square, the top will be 34 feet 6 inches square, and it will be crowned with a pyramidion, or roof, 50 feet in height. The proportions of the parts of this obelisk are in exact accordance with the classic proportions of parts of this style of architecture, as determined after careful research by Hon. George P. Marsh, American minister at Rome. The shaft as proportioned, both in dimensions and weight, will be entirely stable as against winds that could exert a pressure of 100 pounds or more per square foot upon any face of the structure. The project includes the preparation of the foundation so as to enable it to carry this structure. This preparation or strengthening consists in making the existing foundation wider and deeper, in order to distribute the weight over a greater area, and in bringing upon each square foot of the earth pressed no greater weight than it is known to be able to sustain.