The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-12-18
PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE.

As the condition of this great thoroughfare is one
of much interest to the citizens of Washington, and
the public generally, we have procured the follow
ing report in relation to it, from the chief engineer
OF the work, and lay 1t before our readers:
WASHINGTON, D. c., Dec l, ls45
Sin: have the honor TO inform you that since
the date of my last annual report, the work of
"paving and repairing" Pennsylvania avenue has
been essentially completed from 18th street west to
9th street west, near Coleman's hotel. The paving
was finished on the 2lst of October and all the
laboring force employed by the United States with
29th Of the same month.
During the month of November, the contractor
for graveng the centre portion of the roadway has
been engaged in the execution of his contract the
completion Of which has been retarded by the re-
cent drought which has prevented him from rolling
the gravel. There is about one hundred cubic
yards of clean white gravel deposited near the
Washington canal basin, ready to be applied as a
top-dressing soon the rolling can take place.
1t is thought, however, advisable to leave the
naming portion Of the centre (Which requires for
completion about two inches of white grave) in
its present state till next spring. in the belief that
in the meantime, it will become thoroughly CONSOLE
dated by use and will thus be in better condition
to receive the last depose of gravel, which, it is in
tended, shall consist of small white sicious pebbles,
not larger than musket-ball. One man Gas before
stately has been retained for the purpose of attend
n
rake over the gravelled way, and to remove the
larger sized pebbles as they may be brought to the
surface.
! am happy to inform you that the stone pave
ment (some parts of which have been in active use
for nearly four months) has thus far remained per-
fectly firm and smooth, with the exception of those
small portions covering the recently laid water
pipes, which have, in some places, sunk percepti-
bly, and will have to be re- set in the spring.
The new cuverts have answered an excellent
purpose and are quite sufficient believe, to dis
charge the heaviest rains with which we are likely
to be visited. The bottom of the culvert at 9th
street has been slightly injured, directly under the
Drop by the fall Of water IL is my intention, next
year, to alter the conduit from perpendicular fall
to chute similar to the at 18th street; this
rangement will, trust, secure the bottom from fur
Their injury from the same cause.
After the pavement was laid it was covered about
two inches deep with layer of clean sand and
gravel and it has been thought advisable not only
for its present preservation, but also for its ultimate
compile consolidation, that this coating should re-
main, with the exception of what may be removed
by the winds and rains,) until the next season.
The stamping action of horses hoofs and the grind
ing effects of carriage wheels to which it is subject
ed, forces much of this material into the spaces be-
tween the spherodal stones and is thus calculated
to produce a hard, uniform, and smooth surface,
and to prevent at the same time the bad consequent
ces which might possibly result from the frosts Of
the coming winter. In the mean while some in
convenience is experienced an the avenue from the
fine dust, formed by the pulverzation of the gravel
but this nuisance it is to be hoped, will be abated
during the coming spring.
Very respectfully, colonel
Your obedient servant
GEO. w. HUGHES,
Capt Corps Top. Engineers.
To Col. J. J. ABERT,
Chief Typographical Engineers.