It is shown by this address that the amount collected and interest accrued on stocks in this year was $30,779.84.
The restriction of a contribution to the sum of one dollar appears to have been removed on one occasion in 1839. A committee of the Society, having been appointed for the purpose on November 13, 1839, prepared and issued a special circular letter, to be sent to the deputy marshals of the United States, who shortly were to begin taking the census of the country. This appeal recited in part:
"The measures incident to the approaching census present an opportunity of overcoming this last difficulty (the former limitation of subscriptions). It will be the duty of the deputies of the marshals to see the head of every family; and as the greater portion of their time will be consumed in traveling from one dwelling to another, it is thought that but little additional time will be occupied in submitting a subscription paper for this object at each dwelling and receiving the sums that may be subscribed, whereby an opportunity will be offered to every individual in the United States to promote it by contributions corresponding to their means. There being no limitation in the amount, every man, woman, and child will be enabled to enroll their names by subscriptions according to their ability. The rich will, it is hoped, be munificent in their donations, while from those in inferior circumstances any sum will be thankfully received."
It was proposed to allow these special collectors a commission of twenty per cent. on "amounts that may be received and accounted for by a deposit in some sound bank to the credit of Samuel H. Smith, Treasurer of the Society, together with the transmission to him of the names of the contributors, with the respective sums subscribed by them, and the certificates of deposits."
The address concluded:
"The subscription papers may be headed as follows:
"We, the undersigned, for the purpose of contributing to the erection of a great National Monument at the seat of the General Government, do subscribe the sums placed opposite our names respectively.
"The favor of an early answer is requested."
Beautiful lithographs, in two sizes, of the design selected for the Monument were printed and placed in the hands of the agents of the Society as certificates, and in the form of receipts, to be given individuals or organizations contributing the sum of one dollar to the funds of the Society.
These certificates bore the following words and autograph names on the lower margin and beneath the picture of the proposed Monument: