Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1851-07-15

j am happy TO see il announced that the
plan Of the additions to the Capitol has nj
last been adopted. and that the corner stone
is proposed to be laid on the Fourth Of July
next. As have not seen the design or
model, cannot say whether it will mar the
beauty and fine proportions Of the present
building or not; for to avoid that evil was
the principal difficulty with the oouanittee Of
Congress. That so beautiful specimen of
architecture should not be injured BY the
juxtaposition Of additional baildiags. must DO
the wish Of all who have seen and admired il !;
and | trust that the taste and skill Of the
architect will enable him to allow it to stand
out as far as practicable in its fair and mag
nifccnt proportions. In this fine edi6ee
feel all the interest Of early association. as
well as that which beauty in art cannot fail
to produce.
Connected with the laying Of tho corner
stene of the Capitol, give you IN extract
from manuscript ofwork Of the writer. call
ed The "reminiscences Of Washington:"
The Tiber originally passed across what
is now the Pennsylvania avenue, about fity
PAGES West of the brick arch At this point
the only bridge then was the trunk Of : tree,
aud higher up, near the late railroad depot,
was a ford. over which. BY means Of several
large stones, foot passengers we're enabled to
cross. 1t was over this rustic bridge that
the procession headed by Gen. WAsnIxoroN.
passed to lay the corners stone OF the Capitol
in 1898. The numbers assembled on that
occasion were not very great; but it took
them some time to pass over the log bridge
Of which have spoken. While engaged Ia
laying the corner. stone with Masonic ccre-
monies. the day being very sultry. citizen
named Clotworthy Stevenson wished to pro-
teet his head from the rays Of the sun by
holding an umbrella over him; but he polite
ly declined the preferred favor, saying that be
had been too long accustomed to exposure to
require its shelter. The ceremony was con-
cluded with barbecue, given ia honor OF
the occasion. not far from the spot where
Gen. Washington atterward erected two large
brick buildings, which were destroyed BY the
British army under Gen. Ross during the
last war with England. in 1914 but which
were rebuilt and recently owned BY Capt.
Wilkes. Of the United States Navy. The
spring from which the water wss obtsined
for the assembled multitude vas ct the bot
tom Of the hill on which the houses referred
to stand, and is still there. II may nov be
seen flowing within few PAGES last Of the
New Jersey avenue, under which is surplus
water is conveyed through pipes. and Gows
into the Iiber."
Fifty eight years have PASSED since the
corner stone Of the Capitol was laid hy the
Father Of his Country; an interval replcte
with the most remarkable events that have
ever occurred in the history Of the world.
no shall lay the corners stone of the new
edifcc which is now TO be added to it? How
great will be his honor who shall be the Sc
cond to perform this duty. The gavel which
was used on that occasion is still preserved
aud may still be obtained but where shall
we find one to be compared to him who then
used it!--Nafionat Inteiigtncer.