The members of this committee devoted much of their time patriotically to the duties assigned them, held weekly meetings during several years, and served without any sort of compensation whatever.
With a view of having the States of the Union properly represented in the Monument, the Society extended an invitation for each State to furnish for insertion in the interior walls a block of marble or other durable stone, a production of its soil, of the following dimensions: Four feet long, two feet high, and with a bed of from twelve to eighteen inches, the name of the State to be cut thereon in large letters, and, if desirable to the donor, the State's coat of arms also. Later, this invitation to contribute memorial blocks of stone was extended to embrace such a gift from a foreign government.
In response to these invitations were received from time to time the many rich and durable blocks which now adorn the interior walls of the shaft, in themselves smaller but not less impressive monuments to the memory of Washington.
In about six years from the laying of the corner-stone the Monument had reached the height of 156 feet, not quite one-third of its ultimate modified elevation. During this period the Society continued most actively at work in the raising of funds to carry the Monument forward.
An appeal to the people was adopted and issued by the Society in 1848, immediately after the laying of the corner-stone, in which the past history of the work was given, what was desired and in contemplation to do, and an urgent request for contributions was made, and an eloquent reference to Washington was embodied.
In June, 1849, a special appeal for contributions, to be made in all parts of the country on the ensuing 4th of July, was issued, and everywhere distributed.
Another special appeal was made in this year, which recited, among other things—
"The scholars and pupils, male and female, of all the institutions of learning, and the public and private schools in this country, are requested to make such monthly contributions as may be convenient towards the erection of the Monument till it shall be completed. It is estimated that there are about 3,000,000 of pupils of all ages in the United States, and the monthly contribution of even one cent by each would alone, in a few years, complete the structure now in progress. The assistance of the principals and teachers in these schools, however, will be essential, and the Board would be thankful if they would lend their aid to carry out this plan by making such collections monthly, and transmitting the amount collected to the Treasurer or to the General Agent of the Society here," &c.
February 5, 1850, the Society adopted the following resolution:
"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."