"OFFICE OF THE WASHINGTON NATIONAL MONUMENT SOCIETY, WASHINGTON, D. C., _May, 1855_. "DEAR SIR AND BROTHER: "Enclosed I send you an address from the Board of Managers of the Washington National Monument Society to members of our Order, asking their contributions in aid of the Washington National Monument, and request that you will place it before your Council and lend your influence towards the accomplishment of the object in view. "By the action of your brethren in the District of Columbia our Order stands pledged to the country and the world to complete the Monument, and the glory of success or the disgrace of failure will be ours alone. The pledge was freely given; for we were confident that our brethren in the States would rejoice at the opportunity thus presented of testifying their gratitude and veneration for him whose "memory, maxims, and deathless example" we endeavor to keep alive in the hearts of the American people. "I would suggest that your Council appoint a Washington Monument Committee to receive subscriptions and forward the sums collected to the Treasurer of the Society. The committee should procure a book in which to insert the name and address of each contributor and the amount contributed. This book should be forwarded to me, to be placed in the archives of the Monument, and to each contributor of one dollar or upwards will be forwarded a certificate of membership and a print of the Monument or a portrait of Washington. "The plan laid down by the Board of Managers is to forward to each contributor of one dollar or upwards and less than five dollars a small print of the Monument, and to each contributor of five dollars a print of the Monument, 22 by 30 inches in size, or a large portrait of Washington, and both the large print and portrait to each contributor of eight dollars or upwards. To each Council will be sent a copy of the large print or portrait or both, depending upon the amount contributed in such Council. "It is not expected, nor is it necessary, that the subscriptions be paid at once; but they may be paid in weekly, semi-monthly or monthly payments, as the Council or committee may determine. One dime per week from each member of our Order for three months will be more than sufficient to erect the Monument to its destined height, thus bringing it within the means of all to assist us in our noble work.