"It is true that the 'storied urn, the animated bust,' or the splendid mausoleum, cannot call back the departed spirit, or 'soothe the dull, cold ear of death;' but it is equally true that it can and does manifest the gratitude and veneration of the living for those who have passed away forever from the stage of life and left behind them the cherished memory of their virtues. The posthumous honors bestowed by a grateful nation on its distinguished citizens serve the further purpose of stimulating those who survive them to similar acts of greatness and of virtue, while the respect and admiration of the country which confers them upon its children are mere deeply and ardently felt. The character of Washington is identified with the glory and greatness of his country. It belongs to history, into which it has infused a moral grandeur and beauty. It presents a verdant oasis on the dreary waste of the world, on which the mind loves to repose, and the patriot and philosopher delights to dwell. Such a being but seldom appears to illustrate and give splendor to the annals of mankind, and the country which gave him birth should take a pride in bestowing posthumous honors on his name. It is not to transmit the name or fame of the illustrious Washington to future ages that a Monument should be erected to his memory; but to show that the People of this Republic at least are not ungrateful, and that they desire to manifest their love of eminent public and private virtues by some enduring memorial which, like the pyramids of Egypt, shall fatigue time by its duration." The General Agent, Mr. Whittlesey, submitted a plan which was adopted by the Society for a systematic collection of funds, which included constituting Congressional districts as distinct collection districts, and in 1847 a circular letter was addressed to Members of Congress respecting the formation of such districts and the appointment of collecting agents therein. As formerly, it was required that the appointee should be well recommended and endorsed by Representatives, Senators, and well-known citizens of the district or State. It was also determined to specially appeal to the Masonic fraternity of the country. The agents appointed were supplied with properly prepared blank books for the autograph enrollment of contributors, which books, when filled with names, were to be returned to the office of the Society for deposit and safe keeping. On the request of the Society, Mrs. James Madison, Mrs. John Quincy Adams, and Mrs. Alexander Hamilton effected an organization of ladies to aid in collecting funds for the proposed Monument. Through appeals, entertainments, fairs, and many social functions given for the purpose by ladies in various parts of the country, there resulted but a very moderate addition to the funds of the Society, but in no way commensurate with its expectations in the premises.