On the eastern and southern faces of the monument is the

following record:

THE MORTAL REMAINS OF

JAMES K. POLK

Are resting in the vault beneath.

He was born in Mechlenburg county, North Carolina,

And emigrated with his father,
SAMUEL POLK,

To Tennessee, in 1806.

The beauty of virtue was illustrated in his life; the excellence of
Christianity was exemplified in his death.

By his public policy he defined, established and extended
the boundaries of his country.

He planted the laws of the American Union on the shores of the Pacific.
His influence and his counsels tended to organize

the National Treasury on the principles of the Constitution, and to apply the rule of Freedom to Navigation, Trade and Industry. His life was devoted to the public service.

He was elevated successively to the first places of the State
and Federal Governments;

A member of the General Assembly;

A member of Congress;

Chairman of the most important Congressional Committees;
Speaker of the House of Representatives;

Governor of Tennessee, and President of the United States.

THE YORK