The further collection of funds for the Monument was not only curtailed by the destruction of the Pope's stone, but the political and business conditions of the country in 1854 caused a great falling off in contributions. The Monument had now reached a height of 153 feet above the foundation, and the Society had expended on the entire structure $230,000. The funds being now practically exhausted, and all its efforts to obtain further sums proving abortive in this year, 1854, the Society presented a memorial to Congress representing that they were unable to devise any plan likely to succeed in raising the requisite means, and under the circumstances asked that Congress might take such action as it deemed proper. In the House of Representatives the memorial was referred to a select committee of thirteen members, appointed under a resolution July 13th, of which committee the Hon. Henry May, of Maryland, was chairman. By a previous order, Mr. May, on the 22d of February, 1855, made an eloquent and able report to the House, in which, after a careful examination of the whole subject, the proceedings of the Society were reviewed and approved, and an appropriation of $200,000 by Congress was recommended "on behalf of the people of the United States to _aid_ the funds of this Society." There was no suggestion made that Congress should assume the completion of the Monument; the Society were to continue actively in the work they had been prosecuting. Congress would make simply a donation to the funds. The sum proposed was the same in amount which the House of Representatives, by their resolution of January 1, 1801, had agreed to appropriate for erecting a mausoleum to Washington, in the City of Washington. The report referred to the Society and its work in the following terms of approval: "The Society was organized on an admirable plan, and its officers undertook the duties assigned them by its Constitution, and have, as your committee are well satisfied, faithfully performed them. "The funds were to be collected in all parts of the United States; and agents as competent and as faithful as could be found were appointed, after giving bond for the performance of their duties. These agents were sent to all parts of the country, and contributions were commenced and continued by the subscription of $1.00 for each person. This plan was adopted in order that all might have the opportunity to contribute.