Those voting in the affirmative were, Bateman, Beveridge, Bunn, Conkling, Dennis, Dubois, Hatch, Melvin, Miner, Stuart, Treat, Williams and Phillips. In the negative, Mr. Tyndale. Absent or not voting, Gov. Oglesby. The Association then entered into a contract with Mr. Mead, to erect the monument, together with the statuary, and all the accessories necessary to the fulfilment of the design. It was soon after ascertained that it was Mr. Mead's intention to let the contract for the architectural part of the work and return to Italy, where he had been residing for several years. Then it was mutually agreed to annul the existing contract, and a new one was entered into on the thirtieth of December, in which it was stipulated that the Association was to manage the building of the architectural part of the monument, and that it should be done strictly after the drawings and specifications of Mr. Mead. On his part, Mr. Mead was to mould, cast and deliver all the statuary required by and necessary to his design, namely. 1. A statue of Lincoln, not less than ten feet high, for $13,700. 2. A group representing infantry, containing three figures and appropriate accessories, the figures to be not less than seven and a half feet high, for $13,700. 3. A group of cavalry, to contain a horse and two human figures, with appropriate accessories, the human figures to be not less than seven and a half feet high, and the horse in proportion, for the sum of $13,700. 4. A group of artillery, to contain three figures and appropriate accessories, the figures to be not less than seven and a half feet high, for $13,700. 5. A marine group, to contain three figures and appropriate accessories, the figures to be not less than seven and a half feet high, for $13,700. 6. The coat of arms of the United States, as shown in the specifications, for $1,500, making a total of $70,000. It was a part of the contract, that the Association was to have the right to order one or more of these pieces or groups at a time, to suit its own convenience, and that it was not under obligations to pay for any piece until a written order was given for the work to proceed. When a written order was given, one-third of the stipulated price was to accompany it, one-third to be paid when the plaster model was delivered at the foundry where it was to be cast, and the remaining third when the work was completed and delivered in good order, at Springfield, Illinois. It was also stipulated in the contract, that if cannon were donated to be used in the statuary, the value thereof should be deducted from the price. It was further agreed, that if any donations of freight were made, it should be to the Association, and not to Mr. Mead. On the back of this contract, Mr. Mead gave the signatures of five business men of New York city, binding themselves in the penal sum of $5,000 each, for the faithful performance of the contract on his part. A note, also an the back of this contract, over the signature of John J. Cisco, of New York, expresses the opinion that the bond is good and sufficient. On the seventh day of May, 1869, the Board of Directors, under the above contract, instructed the Executive Committee to order the statue of Lincoln and the coat of arms of the United States, and to accompany the order with one third of the money, as per contract. After advertising for proposals to erect the monument-excepting the statuary-and receiving five or six bids, that of W. D. Richardson, of Springfield, was accepted. A contract was then entered into, between the Association and Mr. Richardson, in which he agreed to erect the National Lincoln Monument, in Oak Ridge Cemetery, according to the plans and specifications adopted by the Association, for the sum of $136.550. He was to build the foundation during the year 1869, and the superstructure by January 1, 1871. The Association agreed to pay Mr. Richardson the sum above named, and for the purpose designated, by monthly estimates as the work progressed, fifteen per cent of which was to be withheld until the work was completed according to contract, when the total amount remaining should be paid. Mr. Richardson gave ample security, under a penalty of $50,000, for the faithful performance of the contract on his part. CHAPTER XXIV. Arrangements having been previously made, the Board of Directors held a special meeting in Oak Ridge Cemetery, September 9, 1869. After calling. the roll, a brief but fervent prayer was offered by Rev. Albert Hale, invoking God's blessing on the work they were about to commence. The president of the Association being absent, the vice president, Hon. Jesse K. Dubois, at the request of the board, made the following statement of the financial condition of the Association: U. S. 5-20 bonds, on special deposit with J. Bunn.... $66,300 00 Premium on said bonds, at present value....... 13,260 00 Cash in bank....... 2,023 46 Notes on individuals.. 80 00 Illinois State bonds, on special deposit with J. Bunn.. 17,000 00 Illinois State appropriation... 50,000 00 Estimated value of cannon donated by Congress. 5,000 00 5,000 00 Total assets. $158,663 46 Mr. Dubois also made a statement of all the contracts entered into by the Association, in consequence of which the following liabilities were incurred: To W. D. Richardson, for building monument. arms.. Total liabilities..... Balance, after meeting all liabilities..... ...... $136,550 00 15,200 00 $151,750 00 $6,913 46 Mr. Dubois said that, if no misfortune befel the Association, it could, by January 1, 1871, have the monument completed, except the four groups of statuary, and be out of debt, with a small balance in the treasury. He expressed the hope that the American people, or separate States or cities, would furnish the means to pay for the remaining groups of statuary, that the monument might stand complete and symmetrical, a fitting emblem of the character and virtues of the man it was designed to honor. Vice President Dubois closed his statement by saying: "In obedience to the order of your board, and to testify their and my approbation of all that has been done, it is my pleasure now to begin the work, by throwing out the first shovelful of earth." Mr. Richardson had his materials on the ground, and before winter closed in, had the foundation completed, doing all his contract required for the year 1869. When the work was about to commence, the Association reorganized its Executive Committee, so that it was composed of the Hon. John T. Stuart, Jacob Bunn and John Williams. Mr. Stuart, as previously intimated, was the preceptor of Abraham Lincoln, in the study of the law, and furnished him the library for that purpose. They were also partners in practice from 1837 to 1840, when the partnership was dissolved, in consequence of Mr. Stuart being elected to a seat in the United States House of Representatives. I shall now endeavor to describe the monument. The excavation for the central part, or that on which the main shaft rises, is twenty-three and a half feet deep, and seventeen feet square. The bottom of the excavation is filled with concrete, the whole seventeen feet square, to the depth of eight feet. (See Fig. 7.) On this concrete, the whole seventeen feet is built up square with solid masonry of block stone, to a height of thirtynine feet and four inches. The stone is all dressed |