The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-11-29

in Ireland What though the dead should break forth
from ihetomb and demand justice Of their murderes B.
the English statesman could reply !" II is my government
which is false to Heaven and red with the blood of her
victims: we have been true to the institutions Of our
country" But what plea the American--ihe repub
ican-urge in extenua,ion Of his support of "syslemso
imported from Europe, and filled with the injustice and
diaboc spirit of their despolic creeds q. w, J.
For the Union
The CITY or Washington.
Having been long detained in this truly picturesque,
healthy and fourshng city by the ardy movements Of
one OF the public officers of department where am
transaclng business have had time TO become completely
fascinated with the place. and have made up my mind
pull up stakes" in the Queen Cuy pf the West, and To-
cate myself the left bank Of noble Potomac river,
within the corporate limits OF the metropolis of this
mighty republic. Several senator's and members OF Con-
gess have already purchased residences on or near the
submits of the charming hills in the vicinity of the
Capitol. Senator Douglas has recently purchased the
family mansion of Colonel Burche at the intersection of
New Jersey and stree, north, and Senator Gwin
is now the Of Gilnans splendid Romanesque man.
sion at the Intersection OF Sd and streets. Ere long
mony OF the representatives OF the people will own
houses and lots in the metropolis OF the nation, which
will increase their interest in seeing it improve under
the fostering of the general government. Washing
ton is certainly the most lovely and refined city on
this continent that | have resided in. Ii is worthy
of being the capital OF the United States Wash
ingon is separated from Georgetown by Rock creek,
over which there several bridges one Of which
is composed wholly OF lron and from Alexandra by
the Potomac river, which is a bridge upwards
OF mile in length Of poor construction, and
substitute for the granite bridge proposed by General
JAG kson during his glorious administration and defeated
by Colonel Mercer, OF Virginia, who is the father OF the
present perishabe structure There are also several
wooden bridges the eastern branch Of the Potomac.
supported on piles, The city is located in the fork
between these two rivers The eastern branch has a
sufficient depth Of water for ships Of the largest class
ascend far the navyyard One OF the largest ships
in our navy Qhe Coum5us) was built at this yard A
spacious canal upwards OF forty feet wide and ten feet
Deep through the city, uniting the eastern and
ern branches Of the Potomac The city is well supplied
with good spring water for drinking purposes; but !
have well maiured plan FOR furnishing the whole city
and If required, the whole Ds,ric-wiih nexhausti-
bic supply OF excellent water from the Potomac and dis
charging the in jets upwards OF ninety 10 one hun
bred feet above the highest part of the Capitol, which
intend 10 lay before Congress al its approaching session
The ranges OF heights in The to the north afford
many fine sites for villas. The city is the head
OF tide. navigation, has easy communication
with The ocean, and is connected with rich back coun-
try by the noble Chesapeake and Ohio canal, one
OF the grandest works OF this or any other coun-
Try. Steamboats, ply regularly between Washing.
ton. Alexandria. Norfolk. and Baltimore. besides
eral in other directions. Trains Of run TO and
from Baltimore three times day, and sometimes Of
ener but the fare (sl s0) senely high The boat,
fare 10 Alexandra only five cents The city OF Wash
ng,on is regularly laid out, but the entire part of the
ground embraced within the plan is not yet built upon
The streets running north and SOUTH numerically ind
Gated, are crossed by others running east and west
alphabetically indicated, generally about 30 feet wide
whilst those which called avenues, named after the
several States OF the Union and about 100 feet wide
cross the rectangular divisions dagonay, aud &c
4. al, he mO lirer m nca he.
tween those places deemed the most eligible sites for
public buildings or which offer the most agreeable and
beautiful prospects Where these avenues form acute
and obuse angles by their intersection with the alpha
beca and numerical streets, there are formed open
spaces which always TO remain open for the public
USE land may be truly termed the lungs OF the city,
These spaces well the streets and avenues belong
10 the United States and some Of them being
paved with stone Pennsylvania avenue ia the mobiles,
street that have ever seen. II leads from the Cap
ol TO the Presidents House in northweserly direc-
lion and thence to Georgetown. II also extends from
the Capitol in souiheastely direction, 10 the Eastern
Branch Of The Potomac Its whole length is about
four miles by uniform width OF 100 feet, Eleven
avenues aud streets radale from the Capitol square
from each OF which the mos, pleasing views of the
Capitol Building may be bad-h being located near
the brow Of bill about ninety feet above the level
OF the river The public buildings not yet very nu-
nerou. but such already finished surpass archi-
ectura beauty tnose OF any othef CITY OF Inc bnleh
States which have visited.
The Capitol is Roman-like structure embel.
shed externally with the CorDibian order of archi.
lecture and is two stories, elevated upon base.
ment OF about twenty feet high. Its length is
about 800 feet by depth Of 400 feet the cep,re,he
apex OF the dome about so feet from the ground IL
is built OF brick and blue sone faced with freesone,
painted white. Although the columns are only three
feel in diameter the whole has imposing appear
ance IT, however, has faults which shall not now
stop TO point The wings being added will not,
in my opinion improve the architectural appearance Of
the old building. although capacious halls OF egs-
a,ion and clerk will doubtless be produced The
interior OF the Capitol contains several fine specimens
of architecture. sculpture, and painting On the whole,
il is noble building, and, considering the period
al which was erected, reflects great credit on the
genus good taste. and literally Of General Washington
during whose presidential term. understand 1t was
planned and begun
The Prss,d<nrs House is small frees,one building.
OF two stories. elevated on rust'caied basement.
embeshed with the Roman Ionic style oil archi-
lecture. IL il about $50 feet in length, by width
Of IS feet, badly arranged niefiory. and entirely
too small Tor the Chief Magistrate of this republic II
IA about large enough for the Secretary Of State Soon
IA nty~hi