The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-05-21

scented for city as long previous as when he had
been youthful surveyor Of the country around.
towns were afterwards planned ON the spot, and
the frat maps of the city represent it as laid out
over the plains of Hamburger and Carrolsville.
The first public communication record nre-
! from the pen OF General Washington, and bears
date 18th March, 1871; in subsequent letter. of
| the 30th April, he calls II the Federal City. Four
| months later in letter by the original commits
sioners, Messrs. johnson, Stuart, and Carroll,
dated Georgetown, September 9th, 1871, addressed
TO the architect, Major L'Enfant, he IL instructed
to entite the district his maps, the Territory
Of Columbia" and the city, the City of Wash
ington."
On the 18th September, 1892, the southeast cor
OF the north wing of the Capitol was laid
by General Washington.
Much discussion took place relative to the plan,
winch was drawn by Major L'Enfant, and which,
while 1t presents some fine features has many de.
fecs, and In its execution has greatly detracted
from the beauty of the site. He commenced by
laying down streets. which crossed each other at
right angles, as at Philadelphia, at irregular inter-
walls, however, and which numbered or let
tered In order to give the city lite distinctive ma
tional feature, great avenues from one hundred to
one hundred and sixty feet wide, were made to ra-
date from particular centres, such az the Capitol
and Presidents house, to bring all the build
| ings to view from every quarter--a grand idea
but it cut the building lots into ugly trianges and
made more streets than were needed. The avenues
should have been laid down frat, and made base
lines for the other streets. The streets, too are
wider than was necessary, though members of Con-
the country like to have plenty of breath
| ing room.
1t was remarked of L'Enfant, that he was not
only child in name, but in education as, from the
names he gave the streets, he appeared to know
little else than A, b, Z, one. two three. Itappears,
| however, by q letter Of the commissioners, that
they gave these names to the streets at the same
time with that to the city; for convenience, good
arrangement, since the streets could more easily
| be found by stranger under such designations.
| The distances at which the public buildings are
separated from each other have been frequently
marked. But letters from Washington and the
| commissioners show the reasons Of this.
/ !. As a measure Of security, no that only one
could burn at time. If enemies should enter the
place, they would in the first onset, destroy every
thing but, as they progressed, their fury would
| cool down. This proved true in the infamous at
tack on the public buildings by the British during
the last war; they having spared the Patent and
Post Office buildings, which would have met the
fate of the Capitol had they been under the same
| roof
9 1t had been remarked, at Philadelphia that
the vicinity of the Executive to the Legislative De-
Partments exposed the former to constant inter-
ruptlons from the latter. General Washington
said that aOme Of his Secretaries had found them
selves and their clerks much ANNOYED by the
intrusions Of members of Congress, during office
hours that they had been obliged to retire to their
homes, and lock themselves in, in order to attend to
their ordinary duties. 1t was, therefore, desirable
that the Executive officers should be sufficiently far
from the Capitol to exempt them from visits except
at particular hours, when Congress were not In
session.
1t is not generally known that tho plan contem-
plates complete connection between the gardens
OF the Capitol and those of the Presidents House by
means of the mall, plan which could have been
carried out twenty years ago, at comparatively
small expense, by setting out trees and levclling
where necessary. The Smithsonian Institution is
to be placed thereon, and there ia a prospect that
the bequest of an enlightened foreigner will supply
what Congress has neglected
Some OF the magnificent intentions with regard
1 nf Tho rifv ad
Most OF them might have been carried q tri-
fling expense to the nation; and in all it is to be
observed how admirably General Washington's
ideas combined utility with beauty, especially in
his plan for furnishing to all foreign governments
lots OF ground whereon to erect houses Tor their min
isters in which it is to be wished he had succeeded
as well as In that of furnishing each Secretary with
a house, thing that seems to BIO much called for
since most Of our Secretaries are Obliged by their
position to receive almost as much company as the
President, and the furniture and rent OF house is
with their uncertain tenure of office. serious bur-
den upon many.
| Another plan was, to give each State square of
| ground, TO ornament in such a manner a. they
chose either by houses for members, or obelisks to
its representatives who should die at the Geat of
Government.
The State of Virginia made donation of one
hundred and twenty thousand dollars towards
the public buildings, and Maryland seventy-
| two thousand dollars This was soon exhausted.
II ID fact not generally known, and evidence Of
the intense anxiety Washington felt in the matter,
| that, when all other resources failed, he made
personal application to the Legislature of Maryland
for loan and the letter written this occasion
IS remarkable for it's terscness and proprety, and
disregard OF mere etquette for ii seems that the
Attorney General advised against its being sent, on
the ground that it not usual for the President
to correspond, except through certain officers.
The Legislature of Maryland granted the loan Of
on the strength Of this letter. and the per-
sonal security of the fact showing
at how low an cbb the credit Of the Government
had arrived, since they were not willing to trust
Naohy ArrtAv oAfI onksco
to see Congress seated in the capital which, in one
OF his letters he speaks of one of the events he
1 for He died on the 4h Of
All the speeches, at the opening of the session. al
lude to the city that bears his name us one of his
monuments which it should be the duty and plea
ing to his wishes
With regard to the progress Of the city since
that time, 1t must be confessed that the city has not
progressed in the rapid ratio which it's founders so
sanguinely predicted. Although they may not
have anticipated any thing to compare with the
magnihcence and luxury which in many of the
European courts have almost suiiced to build up q
city, yet they probably overraed the attractions Of
| the Government and Congress.
Inc greatest drawback upon the prosperity Of
the place has been the debt contracted in
order to carry out the plan of its founders for
Meeting the Potomac and Ohio rivers. The main
burden has, however, been removed, and, with the
completion Of the canal far as the coal regions
It IS hoped that new element of prosperity will
| be introduced.
| With regard to the Smithsonian Institution
Just organized, 1t was remarked that, if half the
plans are fulfilled the effect mus be- sooner or la
ter, to concentrate in Washington one of the larg-
est and best collections in the country, Of books
apparatus and other facilities for the prosecution
OF Investigations in science and art, giving an in
tereSt to the place. throughout the year Tor other
attractions besides those Of mere political metro
polls, and attracting thither citizens class of
men who will give moro Of permanenee and tone
| to its shifting society.
In all other points of view-in relation to health
expense and habits Of living, and
judgment Of it's founders has been fully confirmed.
II can never become great city in the ordinary
of the term. that ia to say it can never be the
scat oil very heavy commerce, and consequently
OF long rows of warehouses and striking contrasts
between the extremes OF wealth and poverty; but it
may become place for the cultivation of that psl
teal union and that social intercourse which more
than any thing else unbends the sterner feelings of