"If we be true to ourselves, our city is destined to be the Athens of America, and the hallowed spots in our neighborhood to be the objects of interest throughout all future time. In this view, I would never permit a foot of the battle-field of Bunker Hill to be alienated; but keep it for your great-great-grandchildren, as a legacy of patriotism worth more than their portion of it, if covered with gold by measure. Until you are older, I do not expect you to feel as I do on this subject."
This would seem to be the proper place to mention a few facts in regard to Mr. Lawrence's agency in securing the completion of the monument. It has already been mentioned that he was one of the earliest friends of the project to erect a monument, and, in 1825, had been placed upon the Standing Committee of Directors, with full powers to manage the affairs of the Association. In September, 1831, in a letter to his friend, Dr. J. C. Warren, who himself had been one of the warmest and most efficient advocates of the measure, he proposed to subscribe five thousand dollars, on condition that fifty thousand dollars should be raised within one year. The following passage occurs in that letter:
"I think it inexpedient to allude to the sale of the land on Bunker Hill, as a resource for paying the debt, except in case of extreme necessity; and, at this time, I should personally sooner vote to sell ten acres of the Common, in front of my house, to pay the city debt (of Boston), than vote to sell the ten acres on Bunker Hill, until it shall appear that our citizens will not contribute the means of saving it."
The proposition thus made was not responded to by the public.[6] As early as December, 1830, he had made provision by his will, in case of his own death, to secure the battle-field, liquidate the debts of the corporation, and complete the monument. These provisions were superseded by another will, executed April 1, 1833, after his health had failed, so as to forbid active participation in affairs. An extract from this document will show the views of the testator:
"I am of opinion that the land owned by the Bunker Hill Monument Association, in Charlestown, will be of great value to posterity, if left as public ground. The spot is the most interesting in the country; and it seems to me it is calculated to impress the feelings of those who come after us with gratitude to the people of this generation, if we preserve it to them. The whole field contains about fifteen acres; and, in the hope of preserving it entire, either as the property of the State, of this city, or of any other competent body, and with the further view of insuring the completion of the monument, which now stands as a reproach to us, I have set apart a larger share of my property than would be necessary, had not the subject been presented to the public in such a manner as to discourage future attempts at raising the necessary funds by voluntary contribution."