Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1850-09-21
THE PRESIDENTS HOUSE.
OHro, Aueusr 20, 1850.

+ s e. OHIo, AUeusr 20. 1850.
MEssRs. EDIToRs One Of the distant readers of your
paper has with much interest what said concerning the
unheahness of the Presidents House, on account Of damp
basement and the malaria from the Potomac. Something
must be done but while the question ohat 10 do is under
consideration il is favorable time suggest what hope
may have already occurred those concemed Instead
Of the expense of reforming the and curing the evil
breath of the Potomac, only make wholesome building
far behind the day in point Of general fitness for its uses,
would not be much give up present mansion
other government object for which accommodation 10
wanted, and take elevated and healhful position,
nearer the Capitol perhaps and erect such building for the
President in point Of interior plan and outward elegance
would be honorable architecture and suitable the
sdence of the President of the United States Is the house
it any thing but dsgrace to the nation Exter
nay it small too Naked too destitute Of architectural
imPressveness 1t has character. Many private
sion in large cities exceeds far in external appearance
Would such building for the President be erected now
belongs the day when the old public Offices, such
eye-sore, thought quite imposing No would
think Of building house merely for the clerkshps Of de-
pamen of the Government without giving it grandeur
aspect than the house of President possesses
required which, point of taste and elegance shall be
Of the boyhood of architectural design in
land but object which the nation may look with salts
faction specimen Of and propiety for ages to
But what is the present house in point of internal plan
say nothing easements the house large enough
for its public separately from its domestic Look at the
size of the rooms usually opened drawingoom occasons
Are they not positively in point of sze Where the
proper suite Of apartments for such mes But look their
position. That small and awkward hall between them and
the great door-sma in comparison with what should be
What plan for noble mansion nothing between the front
door, admitting all the winter wind and the great reception
rooms but small hall that when the doors open,
they should be reception days. you must have rush Of
cold air right in upon sewed up crowd, ebowing and
squeezing another in the reception And how is
this obviated, Whoever that ugly, awkward partition
running lenghwse Of the hail. the only device TO keep out
the external air from the rooms without feeling ashamed
shows the boch Of the carpenter remedyng the defect Of the
architect 1t like the blanket stretched before the fire
log house to remedy the openness the walls One
kick down as thing offensive every Of propey
But again the publicity Of these reception rooms Does
gentleman building large, roomy, and stately mansion for
himself place his drawing in such relation to the
hall and the outside door Do you usually ascend
noble stairway to reach his guest chamber Do they open
their doors almost in the dust and wind of the street We
do need palace for President such European
monarch would expect but do greatly need mansion for
our President which shall conveniently literally, and health
fully accommodate his family which shall furnish the
of receiving the respectful visits of the citizens of the United
States in manner becoming Chief Magistrate, Hospitality,
comfortably, and numerously which shall be internally
planned according the dictates of sense and exte
nay according to the best taste in architecture and the just
expectations Of an intelligent wealthy and mighty nation.
CIVIS.
NOTE BY THE EDITORS.
We marvel that one so generally well-informed
as the writer of the above letter unknown to us,
howeyer) should have given credit to all the stories
that have circulated of the unheathness of the build
ings erected in this city for the residence Of the
President of the United States. We do not believe
in them. Mr.. JEFFERSON enjoyed excellent health
whilst residing there for eight years; Mr. MADISON
for eight; Mr.. MONROE for eight; Mr.. ADAMS for
four I; Gen. JACKSON for eight Mr.. VAN buren, for
four Mr.. TYLER for FOUR Mr.. Polk for four years.
With regard to the main object of the writer,
however, although we have never before heard
suggestion of the measure which he proposes, we
are willing to let it go to readers hint from
an intelligent citizen of the West, who gives his own
reasons for what he recommends.