The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1844-03-08
FROM WASHINGTON.
Correspondence Of the Free Trader.
W.snrSGroN, Feb. IS, 1871

w arm y" !pN' 'b' ~ 'S'''
Messrs. Ehtrs--I will employ leisure mo-
men, to drop yor few notes from this city, this
metropolis, this heart Of great republic; from
whence emenate all the laws, power and infu-
ence which control and regulate this gigantic
government and hold in unison twenty-six pow
crfu sovereign states, and give force and efficacy
TO the the laws of the most wonderful nation upon
the globe.
What a sublime spectacle TO behold seventeen
millions of feemen in the peuceable and happy en-
joyment of all the rights privileges and blessings
conducive to their wel-beinr, which were ordained
for man by his bountful Mnker How salutary
and Wholesome our laws, and yet how simple
their administration Without regal pomp, vain
display, or arislocratic spendor, the president, oil
democratic government lives in plain and unos-
tentatious style-minsles with the people as one
of their number, and studies to contribute to their
happiness as good father studies the wants Of his
children. The chosen representatives. OF the peo-
pie meet in council, neither awed by an armed
force nor inundated by despoc power,a and calmly
and peaccably deliberate for the best Interests OF
the country. They bow Ia m power but that Of
the people they acknowledge no allegiance but to
the free and independent citizens whose happiness
and liberty they have sworn to promote and pro-
lect Is there an American citizen with heart so
cold, or soul so dull, rs not to feel proud Of his
country, and grateful for the blessings he enjoysl
la, a boty he Eur,hlo rlain
pllcity of our government and the grand, extraya-
CANT splcndur of the mnnarchical governments Of
Europe. And what contrast, too, between the
comfort, prosperity, enjoyment, peace, and tran
guilty of the people of this country and he
wrelchcdncss, poverty, misery, anarchy aud op-
preston Of the inhabitants Vt Europe!
It may not he wholly unintercs'irg TO your
numcrons readers to give you something of de-
scripton OF Washington, Eycry American citl.
zen must have desire to know the appearance Of
the seat Of the general government.
The site Of the city, MS is we'll known, was Sc
Icctcd by Gen. Washington. 1t is situated on the
left bank of the Potomac, and right bank of the
Anacoslia, aud comprises spacc Of four miles
square. II is encompassed by fne range OF hills
Turning natural amphithcaire of surprising beau
ty. Asthe eye rests upon the undulallng pIain,va.
ricd by picturesque scenery, mcandered by the va
rcd windings of tho gentle river, and enclclcd by
dark line Of furcst- The bcholdcr is struck with
tho symetricaI beauty of the view, the pleasing
combination of noble works Of art, with the wild
grandeur of nature, aud the harmonious bendings
of city and forest. more lovely or picturesque
scene than the whole presents, could not be
imagined.
The capitol is massive eliicc OF ileesionc
built according to the CoHnthian proportions, and
situated upon beautiful emincnce nearly equl-
distant from the Anacos,ia aud the presidents
house. II covers an area Of one thousand eight
hundred aud twenty square feet The length oil
the front is three hundred and fly-two feet
depth Of its wings one hundred and twenty-one
feet. The height of the wings to the top of the
balusrade, is seventy feet and to the top Of the
centre dome, one hundred aud forty feet The
eastern portico gives 10 this cditice very grand
whole front of the centre. The pedimenl resting
upoh massive Coriuthlan columns Of stone, the
shafts thirty feet high, are in just proportion and
fine taste. ThctymPanum is ornamentcd with an
categorical group in alto reiciUo. The principal,
or centre figure, is elevated on platform, repre-
scntng the Genius If Amrica, holding shield
inscribed with the letters L. 5. A." IN her right
hand. Behind is a spear. Her head is crowned
with star and turned towards Hope, who stands
on her left, with her elbow resting on the stock of
our anchor and holding in her hand a pal, of her
lrapcry. America directs the attention of Hope
tn Justice, holding the constitution of the United
States in her right hand aud IN her left the scales.
Near her is an eagle in the act of wingns her
flight ut the command Of America. The entrance
namentei with iva Eat and beautiful figures in
stone, in the attitude Of crowuing with laurel the
hus, Of Washington, which is placed Immediately
over the dour. On each side oi The main entrance
arc two beautiful colossal figures in MARBLE repre-
scnting War and Peace.
The ro,undo is a spacious room, nincty-six fee.
in diameter; and nnety.six feet high to the cell.
ing Of the dome. 1t occupies the centre Of the
capitol. Stone pilascrs support the cntablature
and corncc, which are ornamented with carved
flowers and leaves in frsloons aud wreaths, within
which are sculplured four medallions, representing
the heads of Columbus, Sir Walter Raleigh,
Cabot and La Sale. The stone pannels are or.
namcnted with sculptured devices in alto rehiuo
The first is the preservation Of Capt. Smith by
Pocahontas--thc second, the landing Of the Pill
rrinrs at Plymoulh--lhc third the Conflict between
Boon and the Indans--anG the fourth, Pcnns
treaty with tho Indians. Six the eight pannes
in the ro,undo. are already filled with national
pain,ings. The frs, painting on tho RICH, of the