"_Resolved_, That in view of the liberal contributions made by two of the banks of the City of Washington, the General Agent be requested to address a circular letter to the several banking institutions of the United States, bearing the signatures of the Board of Managers, soliciting from them contributions to the erection of the Monument." In accordance with this resolve a circular letter was issued March 1, 1850, appealing to all banks for contributions. In May, 1850, circular letters were sent to all deputy marshals of the United States who were to be employed in taking the census then at hand, soliciting their aid in the collection of funds while engaged in the enumeration of the people, and offering a commission of 15 per cent. on the amount collected to each collector, following in this plan the one pursued in 1840. A further general appeal was also printed and distributed everywhere. Early in 1851 the following resolution was adopted by the Society: "_Resolved_, That a circular be addressed in the name of this Board to the respective Grand Lodges of the Masonic and Odd Fellows' fraternities and Grand Divisions of the Sons of Temperance in the United States, requesting that arrangements be made to obtain such periodical contributions as they may deem proper, to be applied to the erection of the Washington National Monument, until the same shall be completed." Accordingly, an appeal was issued to the bodies mentioned in the resolution. In January, 1852, pursuant to a resolution of the Society, the military organizations of the country were specially called upon for contributions. In 1853, another urgent and general appeal was put forth for funds, to be given by the Masonic bodies of the country. In 1854, there was another general address to the country, similar in character to former appeals, and a special appeal was sent to the officers of the Navy of the United States, invoking their co-operation and aid in raising money to carry on the work of building the Monument. The tangible result of these general and special appeals for funds was far short of hope. The funds collected went into the treasury of the Society, and were at once expended to meet the current and contract obligations of the work of building the Monument. STONE FROM ROME. In this year an act occurred at the Monument which created much indignation and excitement in the District, and was the subject of much public discussion throughout the country. The facts furnished to the press by the Society, after an investigation by it, were reported thus in the "Daily National Intelligencer" on March 8, 1854: