The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1852-10-13


Of Commerce the following letter from its
Washington correspondent, as giving fair
view of the present condition of the City
of Washington, and of the prospect ofits
future:
WAsuINGToN, Sept. II 1852.
Washington continues remarkably
healthy, there being fewer cases of inter-
mittent fever here than has been usual at
this season. 1t is undoubtedly now the
hcalthicst city in the country, as the bills
ofmortality sufficiently show. Some thir-
ty years ago, or more, when there were
around the city uncleard and marshv
grounds, and when Pennsylvania avenue
was itself Il marsh, there used to occur,
even III the then small population, many
cases in the autumn of congcstive fever;
but now, though the population exceeds
forty thousand, such fevcrs are of rare oc-
currencc. There arc certain localities near
the river, where, rs was mentioned recent
iy in letter in your paper, cases of ague
and fever occur; but, in general, the city is
free even from that pest. Some proposed
improvements i'll the navigation of the
Potomac between Georgetown and Wash
ngton, and the opening of Il canal through
JameS's creek, near the Arsenal, will free
those parts Of the city from ague and fe-
ver
Though Congress is not in session, vet
the city is no longer as dull and lifcless as
it used to be during the recess. The pub
lie and private improvements, which are
going on so rapidly, give the city a cheer
tul aspect. There are more private houses
now building than there have ever been at
any one time before. The north part of
the city, which is elevated, beautiful, and
salubrious, is rapidly filling up with good
brick houses. The Government appropri-
alton fol new works here, for the present
year, is over million of dollars.
The number of Government Offices and
otlicc-holders is rapidly increasing, and is
constantly tending to an increase. This
must continue to he so, as long as the
country continues to increase in population,
territory, commerce and intercourse with
foreign powers. Washington, too, pre-
sents attractions for men of wealth and
leisure, and it is found that every year the
number Of those who, with their families.
spend part of the year here, increases.
Here will be, after a while, many national
interest
The Capitol will itself be an object Of
general interest when it shall be complet,
ed. The liberal appropriations made for
the arrangement of the Congress library
is an assurance that, ultimately, it will be
library worthy of the country. Over
eighty thcasand dollars were granted fol
the purchase of books during the last ses,
sion.
The Smithsonian Institute will, after a
few years, be able to extend the sphere OF
its operations and its usefulness. Very
large additions to its funds are to be made
by the beneticencc Of wealthy men now
living, who have made their wills, be-
queathing large sums to the Institute.
The National Observatory is already
an object Of national pride.
The Washington Monument, now one
hundred and seventeen feet in height, is in
progress, and with every prospect of being
ultimately completed according to design.
The Jackson Monument will be erected
in Lafayette square next winter
Every change of Administration is a
benefit to the Federal city. 1t brings to
the city fresh accession, from every part
OF the country, of men of public spirit
and intelligence; and each Administration
leaves us substantial public and private
improvements; and each one contributes
to the permanent composition of the com
munity, and leaves its impress upon its
tone and character.
All political capitals have attracted to
themselves population and wealth, wheth-
er the result Of commerce ornot, and such
will be the case with Washington, as the
seat Of an empire destined to be greater
than any that the world ever saw.