Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1816-04-13

ms place and stops the progress Of i'm.
proVenent more than any cause whatever.
Inc holders OF property here would act
wisely were they to give away some of their
lots, as our Great Landholders do tbe;r
lands' to persons who contract to build and
settle upon them in a certain time. In
stead OF this, however, they hold their lots
anu houses at price that nobody will give.
anu inc consequence is, that the FOREIGN
ministers and other distinguished stran-
gers, who would hire houses here, are obli-
ged to live at lodgings, and station their
families at distance. have NO patience
with these foolish people who are thus de.
ieaurg their own anticipations.
now IS their property to acquire the
value at which they hold it, except bv the
increase OF the City--and how is the civ IN
increase II the people are obliged to pur.
chase land at prospective value--twice or
thrice as great as its actual value Money
put out at simple interest will double itself
IN IA years-and can these people sunno.a
purchaser will give double price for pro.
petV Oh the calculation that it will double
In ~ years-or Heaven knows when?
;" owing to the immense extent of the
Piah OF Washington, land can never be so
mgh asln New ork, Philadelphia, and Bal
timore, because when it gets to a certain
price IN one quarter, settlement will he
oeSuh IN another, and it is little to be an
Prehended but that there will be annie
space Tor at least one whole century. To
me- therefore 1T appears, that these people
stand IN their own light, by asking too much
Tor their land, and too high rent for their
houses. 1t discourages people rom srt-
ting hereunder the idea that thew can;t
get houses to live in, or lots to build unon
at reasonable price.
Il wish to see the seat of Government
capable OF accommodating strangers, and
tue members government-but, | should
not De at all surprised if the government
sh9ulu ere long be removed, because the
hoiders OF property will not improve Il
themselves, nor suffer others to do If. with
out paying much more than il IS really
worth. One half of the strangers brono5t
llere by business or curiosity, can't get
Sohilortaoie accommodations, and think
congress is bound in justice to those who
are oDilSed to visit this place in conse-
quence OF Its being the seat of government,
TO afford them the means of common com,
tort, or go somewhere where these can be
OBTAINED, and where property and houses
can be bought or hired at a rate reasonable
enough to invite people to come and live in
=" The situation of Washington is beauti.
lul. 1t is scarcely to be exceeded. II is
not less healthy than other places of the n
states. The climate is better than most
parts OF the UniOn-and being the seat of
government, 1T of course ought and would
attract many people, were it not for two
reasons. The one is, the bad name if has
at distance for furnishing the comforts
and accommodations of life the other
the enormous and disproportioned price
charged for property here. In the madn.se
OF speculation on the first LAYING ont of tbe
City, people gave FIVE times as much for
land as 1t was worth-and now in the obsti-
macy OF disappointment, they are resolved
IL seems 10 make amends at least by asting
great deal more for it than any BODY will
give; for If they made bad bargain, il
IS no reason why other people should do so
too.
There would be, but for the last rea-
son. lne opening here for tradesmen and
laoourers OF various descriptions. A few
hrst rate shOemakers, | am told are very
much wanted and would infaIlibIy get into
excellent business. Indeed there is a oreat
want oil industrious people of all kinds here.
Tor nobody works in Washington that can
helP 1t. Every poor ID seems to de-
pend upon the session of Congress. which |
IKE shoal OF herrings along the Western
isles, brings temporary plenty IN its train.
LII summer they live upon sunshine and an
hclpatIon. | speak of the lower orders.
who III our parts live by regular daiIv la
bors, but who here are door-keepers. mes
'engers' &c. &C. &c. There are, however,
number OF industrious tradesmen and
people here, who are exceedingly prosper
Gus IN their affairs. In truth. Industry is
such a rare qualification here, that it is
sure to be amply rewarded.
A few industrious New. EnpJanders
would carry all before them. Good Gar
1eners are especially in demand. There is
plenty OF land IN the City which thew could
get TOR the tG.CeS, and from which thew
might supply vegetables to the inhabitants |
who are often greatly in want of them
w hlle Baltimore exceeds any CITY in the
United States for vegetables of every kind.
w asnlDgtOD, possessing equal advantages
OF soil and climate, is almost destitute-3e.
ing in fact supplied in a considerable de-
gree from N. England, which sends pota-
toes, onions, and the like.
" To conclude---for by this time I,ll
swear thou art reading (if reading at ALL
without understanding one word. Wash.
ington wants nothing but few enterprising
men of capital, few enlightened men Of
landed property, few Industrious trades
men, few more houses, a few Yankees to
STIR up the blood Of the sleepers here, and
few honest hackney cOachmen, to be really
a pleasant place, worthy Of its name, and
IT'S destiny. Wake Duncan with this