The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1844-11-30
BY THE SOUTHERN MAIL.
Washington.
From our Regular Correspondent

Early History of the City of Washin gtom- Pope,
Rome and Iiber-The Capitoi- Washiw9toSs
Sfatue-Jeferson's Statue General Post Office
Its Architsd-National Institute Patent Office,
&c.
JAMES G. BENNETT, ESQ.,
The present site Of this city originally belonged
to Francis Pope, Catholic of decided faith, who
in 1868 came into its possession, when he entitled
the tract Rome," and the small stream running
through It's centre, the river "Tiber," in imitation
suppose, Of the Pope's city. The following is
the earliest grant on record, and having copied il
from the original, its authenticity cannot be ques-
tioued Thr manuscript was presented to the city
by R Y Brent, Esq, of The descendants Ct
the original owners and 10 deposited In the office
of Mayor Seaton. IL runs thus:-
''JuNE the 5h 1863
"Layd on, for Francis Pope Of this Province gentle
man PARCEL r. and IN Charles counry called Rome
living the East SIDE Of the Anac, river beg inning
at marked ok la ding by thu SIDE the bounded
tree OF apain Robert Troop and runsing by the
river bread the length Of 300 poles bounded oak
staining the mouth OF hay inlet called Iher boun
ing the north b. the said lot and line drawn east for
he sngh OF 320 po es to bounded ng ia the
wood. east. with line drawn south from The end
Of the former line until you exterior bound
ed tree OF Robert roop called Scotland ard, the
south with the said land on The west with the SAID river
containing AID now laid out for 400 lessn
TINS is The original grant, and in 1870, when
Congress adopted The present site OF the CITY, as
the permanent seat ot government, the place con-
sisted OF number of farms owned bv several pro.
prletors, who conveyed an area OF 1884 acres 10
the government for that purpose, and plan was
then laid out and adopted by President Washing
ton. OF this grant the government paid the pro-
prietors for five hundred and twelve acres, al
the rate oil ELS the acre, and returned 10 the pro-
pr,etors moiety OF the building lots occupying
l5O3 acres, and retained as free gift, the entire
residue OF 5, ia acres, including one half of all
the building lots The proceeds of the sales of
these lots, retained by the government, were to
have been applied towards improving the place,
and grading, making and paving streets, &c The
city was then vast waste of hills, creeks, val
leys and swamps, and on government, the duty
surely devoved to make these improvements, as
they held the right of soil and jurisdiction over the
city. But strange as II may appear, they LETT all
This to be done by the private inhabitants at cost
of taxation that know will surprise thousands of
your readers. The city corporation are COMPEL.
ed to levy of three-fourths of one per cent on
all private property, and they have thus raised
50 $780, sos They have made thirty miles of streets;
expended $i00, 600 on Streets avenues and bridges;
sSS, 900 by special tax tor paved footways $780,.
600 for the support OF the poor and lunatcs, and
100000 for the education OF the poor and the sup
port Of a police. The government own properly
valued at 81 6l2, S79, which has never been taxed,
but if placed upon the same basis with private pro-
perry, would yield to the City Corporation $5s2sO
from the sales of the building lots gwen to it by
the original proprletors and it will also be remem-
bered that Virginia gave 1t a donation OF $l20 GOO
and Maryland $1,000, when the public works
were commenced From this view of the case
notwithstanding its immense outlay for public
buildings for its own use, niggardly narrow
minded spirit should not exist in the minds of
members of Congress against reasonable appropri-
atoms to improve the city. They give millions to
new States and territories for internal improve.
ment and education, while they appear to hold
grasped hand when dollar is desired to improve
and add to the actual wants Of the population OF
this pride Of our country, where the whole Union
have common interest, and where the whole
world look tor example.
he Vyhi ch ia ctoI - o,,l
stone, the corner stone OF which was laid by Gene
raj Washington, requires 10 be newly painted
Pennsylvania Avenue should be paved with blocks
OF granite, as It's macadamlZed dust is ruinous the
health of members, and destructive to the furniture
and comfort OF all who reside on its line The
"Cliy Hail. Of which the government own one
halt, should be completed, 1t is a blot upon the
city and the nation In It's present condition. The
"Patent Office" and National Institute" should
be finished and enlarged, and "National Conser-
vatory," tor the preservation and distribution OF
rare plants and seeds, should also be established.
The nucleus formed by the plants brought home by
the exploring expedition, should satisfy members
OF Congress OF the benefits OF such small approprl-
alton as Is deslredto carry out this object.
The capitol was never In more perfect internal
condition under the hands Of the presen officers of
the house, than at this PERIOD and your old friend,
John Foy, Esq., has so revived, renovated and re-
generated his apartments, that none but Florence
OF your city can equal him. Two magnificent mar
bic fountains are being prepared for the grounds
the ot the capitol, which will add much 10 the
this, or any other countryside position, scenery
and art neal advantages Included These grounds
contain the forest trees OF every State in the Union
except that strange and extraordinary one, known
as" Hickory," which you are aware perhaps is a
natl ,e OF the soil 81 America alone, and will never
survive on being transplanted. Jenny Maher,
The gardener, has, however, "Young Hickory"
IN growth hat will soon show its branches IN pro-
mInent positirn.
The magnifre cent statue Of Washington, by Gree
nough IS placed IN the brauifu square in fr nj OF
The caultOi. under the of hnu I'd shed hat
has the outward appearance OF COW stable, and
thus the laht and shade OF sun and sky, which the
sculptor certainly Intended should resi- l0n II,
totd ly screened from the view, and the sombre
cast OF The pine boards refrc led in their stead
The man VINO could burn or destroy the shed,
without lnjuring the statue, would receive tht
thank, Of AL the lovers at ART and admirers of
lures handlcrsft Perslco's Columbus and IN tive"
beauty, adorn The right pedestal the front OF the
capio l, and II IS wonder tnat board shed has
not been placed over these figures, 10 DESTROY
thr effect at light and shade so necessary in the ex
hibliiOn OF Stdtnafy.
Thr colossal bronze statue Of jefferson, present
ed 10 Congress by Lieutenant Levi, of the United
States Navy, has finally found resting place on
the Presidents grounds, through his own IDdepen-
dent and tolerant character, as you will remember
the objection 10 It's original reception supposed
to have emanated from sectarlan hostility to Lieut..
Lew, he being an lsraelite. President Tyler has
thus aided to remove this intolerant spirit, if it
existed.
The General Post Office is one of the most
beautiful and chaste edlces in the United States.
1t is OF the Corlnthlan style OF architecture, com
posed Of columns and pilasters disposed upon high
rustic base. and strikes the eye at once, from its
pure contrast with other public ediices in the
city. 1t will remain monument to its architect,
Mr. Mills, who has also presented to society living
models OF beauty, taste and accomplishment, in
the person of the wife of Col Pendleton and her
amable sister, whose mansion is the home of the
stranger in this city.
The Patent Office is splendid unfinished edi-
flee, in the centre Of the city, containing in its
second story the valuable collection of the Ma
tional lstitute," TO which ! shall devote letter
Is immense pile, but not constructed with regard
10 free admission Of light necessary the duties
of its inmates. The Presidents house and its dis
graceful furniture have before alluded to-
Your active agents, Taylor 81 Co., Of Pennsyl-
vania avenue, near the United States Hotel, have
added n their a f,ll of