Private

I have just received your letter of Feby. 4th. The petition to Congress was returned with my signature two days ago. I think the postponement of the public invitation of plans for the Monument was very proper for the reasons you give. I doubt the expediency of the proposed application to the Legislature of Virginia without more knowledge than I have of its dispositions on the subject of the Monument.

Perhaps this information may be obtained by your consulting the members of Congress from Virginia. She has hitherto manifested a strong desire for some appropriate monument within herself to Washington as her native Son, and may therefore not be willing to abandon the partial fund she has in hand; especially if the national plan on foot should be likely to obtain an adequate amount of subscriptions. With cordial esteem.