The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1852-09-30
THE CITY OF WASHINGTON.

We copy from the New York Journal of
Commerce the following letter from it's Wash
ington correspondent, as giving fair view of
the present condition of the City of Washing
ton and of the prospect of it's future:
WASHINGTON. Sept H. 1852.
Washington continues remarkably healthy,
there being fewer eases Of intermittent fever
here than has been usual ut this season. 1t is
undoubtedly now the healthest city in the
country, rs the bills of mortality sufficiently
show. Some thirty years ago, or more, when
there Were around the city uncleared and mar
shy grounds, and when Pennsylvania avenue
was itself a marsh, there used to occur even
in the then small population, many cases in
the autumn of congestiye fever; but now,
though the population exceeds forty thousand
such ieycrs are Of rare occurrence. There are
certain localities near the river, where, as was
mentioned recently in a letter in your paper
cases of ague and fever occur but in general
the city is free even from that pest Some pro-
posed improvements in the navigation of the
| Potomac between Georgetown and Washing
ton, and the opening Of II canal through James's
creek near the Arsenal will free those arts
OF the city from ague and fever
Though Congress is not in session. yet the
city is no longer rs duh and lifoless as it used
- be during the recess. The public and pr-
vate improvements, which are going on so rap
idly, give the city cheerful aspect. There are
more private houses now building than there
have ever been ut any one time before The
north part Of the city, which is elevated beau
titnl and salubrons, is rapidly filling up with
good brick houses. The Government apprO-
priation for new works here, for the present
year ie over million of dollars
The number of Government Offices and of.
ce-holders is rapidly increasing. and is con-
stantly tending to an Increase This must con-
tinue to be so, as long as the country continues
to increase in population, territory commerce
and intercourse with foreign powers Wash.
instDp, too, presents attractions for men of
wealth and leisure, and it is found that every
year the number of those who, with their FAM
lies spend part of the year here, increases.
Here will be, after while, many national in
situations and monuments of the greatest in
terest.
The Capitol will itself be an object of gene
raj interest when it shall be completed The
liberal appropriations made for tho arrange
ment of the Congress library is an assurance
that ultimately, it will be u library worthy Of
the country. Over eighty thousand dollars
were granted for the purchase of books during
the last session.
The Smithsonian Institute will, after few
years, be able to extend the sphere of its ope-
rations and its usefulness Very large add.
tioDs a. its funds are 10 be made by the beneG.
cence of wealthy men now living who have
made their wills. boqueathng large sums to
the Institute
The National Observatory is already On OBJ
ject Of national pride.
The Washington Monument now one hun
dred and seventeen feet in height is in prog
gress, and with every prospect of being ulti-
mately completed according to design
The Jackson Monument will be erected in
Lafayette square next winter.
Every change Of Administration is 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 pub
lie aud private improvements; and each one
contributes to the permanent composition of
the community, and leaves its impress upon its
tone and character,
All political capitals have attracted to them
selves population and wealth, whether the re-
suit OF commerce or not, and such will be the