Letter, Benjamin West to Rufus King

Containers:
Box 37, Folder 1800.05.25
Creator:
West, Benjamin, 1738-1820 and King, Rufus, 1755-1827
Scope and content:

Letter, 3 pages. London. Contains Wests comments on proposed reinterment of George Washington in the Federal city and monument to be raised to him -- recommends triangle or pyramid as most durable monument -- should be in prominent place, planted with trees -- monuments should be hollow -- rotunda, and brass pedestrian statue of Washington -- work to be of "monumental simplicity" -- 4 doors and stone coffin. Letter, marked "Copy of a letter from one West=the celebrated American artist in London to Rufus King, Esq. our Minister at that Court on the subject of a "Monument" to be erected to the memory of that illustrious citizen - George Washington, was obligingly handed us by a gentleman for publication - From Gazette of the United States and Daily Advertizer, Dec. 22, 1800". [Appended is a copy of "A Resolution of the Old Congress," describing the type of monument to be erected to Washington.]

Access and use

Location of collection:
The George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon
3600 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway
Mount Vernon, VA 22121
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Reference services
Phone: (703) 780-3600
Parent restrictions:
This collection is open for research during scheduled appointments. Researchers must complete the Washington Library's Special Collections and Archives Registration Form before access is provided. The library reserves the right to restrict access to certain items for preservation purposes.