The national whig. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1847-1847, 1847-06-07
WASHINGTON AS TT IS.
June, 1847.
PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE.

~ B r.
Starting from the great Northwestern gate
Of the Capitol Square, which is the Eastern
| terminus of Pennsylvania Avenue proper, you
will find an open space on your left in the form
Of the letter v, with Maryland avenue for one
Of its sides. This space extends from the
| Capitol Square to Bird street West and is
common for cattle grazing. A portion Of it,
between Sd street and The Tiber is enclosed
with an ordinary board fence, by a private
individual for the product of the soil. In the
original plan of the city. this space was intend
cd for a botanical garden, but alas for The
science Of the American Congress, it has no,
yet been able TO get its consent to cultivate the
plants Of Gods earth. II would be unconsi.,i-
tional to devote the peoples money 10 the
| studies OF LinDeus and Jussieu There is
small grove Of honey locusts on the margin OF
this would-be-garden near the Capitol Square,
and row of them and Of elms on the South
side OF Pennsylvania avenue from lst street to
I'd. On the North side or right hand, going
West, are eleven brick houses and four francs,
occupying this face of the square. One of them
is tie elegant private residence Of John Purdy.
Esq, entirely new and is three stories in
height. II is finished in fine style. AT the
corner Of Cd street and Pennsylvania avenue,
stands Ulysses Wards large FIVE story build
ing in which the national WHIG"is printed.
i was built expressly for printing office-is
% feet front, 95 feet deep, and has IS doors
and windows in il. The weekly Columbian
Fountain is printed in this building. On this
square are two groceries, one millinery, and
other small fancy shops Skir,ing the pave
ment is fine row Of elms extending from the
Capitol TO Sd street.
In The centre Of Cd street west stands 6ne
brick arch bridge thrown across the little stream
called the Tiber or Goose creek Some few
years ago il was carried away by heavy
freshet. II is now impregnable to water Its
width from North 10 South is across the whole
avenue. The arch itself does not exceed SO
feet span. The embouchure and debouchure
of the Tiber at this bridge are fortified by good
substantial walls, and the path ways are pro
tected by brick parapets.
Passing this bridge which, though not equal
to the bridge Of AlcanlaIa, is equally useful to
Washington-you find The building of the Bal
timore and Washington Railroad Depot on the
right. The ticket Office is kept in it and the
cars come up within few feet of the street,
under an extensive shed built for the purpose.
Great complaints are made against the location
of the Depot at this point. and The question Of
procuring its removal 10 the outskirts of the
city, has been, ami continues to be agitated.-
II is now entering into the Council elections.
On the south side Of Pennsylvania avenue,
between I'd and Sd streets isthe enclosed square
spoken above row Of ems hedge the pave
ment on this side.
Proceeding westward from the Depot TO Sd
street, there are eleven brick houses from two
TO four stories. In them are Two groceries, the
two refectories of Rupp and Collins, a segar
store, coffee house, Adams s. Co.'S Go-ahead
Express office, Or. Schwarlze's excellent and
extensive drug store, and lottery Office. The
whole space on this side Of the square is built
up except two lois. Mrs. Brawner's celebrated
boarding house is found about half way Of
| the square. Al the corner Of Sd street and
Pennsylvania avenue stands Jones' building,
facing three streets, the avenue, Sd street, and
North street. 1t is five stories high with a
fine basement, mortar cast, and is known of yore
as the ST. Charles Hotel, though not now oc-
cupied. A better house cannot be found in the
city for Hotel on the plan of the Globe Hotel
in New York. A, present the brave and gal
liant Captain Dan Drake Henrie has his quar-.
ters in this building beating up recruits for Mex.
leo. The upper parts of the building on this
square are occupied chiefly by lhe families OF
the proprietors of the stores.
10 be continued.
ms Mr. RRnfOn has w rittpn 1attar A., lilo