The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-11-11
From the National Intelgencer OF yesterday
The washington Auuoduct.

Prom The National ineiigencer OF Yesterday
The Washington Aquoduct.
Tuesday last rendered memorable in the annals OF
this city and District by the OF the great
aqueduci which to bring into the cry The walters of the
Potomac. The approval OF the President OF the United
States having given the requisite oiheal sanction 10 The
largest OF the plans reported by Capt M. Meigs, the
engineer nrused with this important and dmcult under
taking Tuesday sci apart Tor lis by The
personal attendance and participation oil the President and
portion OF his cabinet. accompanied by the pal
authorities OF Washington and Georgetown. Passage
boats having been provided, the party embarked al the
usual landing place the market house in George
town. and proceeded, one by steam and the other by
track up the Chesapeake and Ohio canal Com
meln, near the Great Falls OF the Potomac in The vicin-
~ OF which the aqueduct takes it's commencement The
day. though al first overcouded proved propous, and
the boats reached their destination about l2I o'clock
The spot hav ing been designated by flag erected on
pole, it approached ny the President, aud
rounded by concourse OF citizens assembled 10 witness
the ceremony OF the Inauguration
The exercises were introduced with solemn prayer
BY the Kew. DIR. Pyne, rector oil ST. Johns Episcopal
church OF Washington.
Captain Megs then addressed the company as fol-
lows:
Mr.. Presiden, and gentlemen, we have invited you 10
meet here today TO naugurae the Washington aque-
duet. II is lime honored custom, when any great
work for the benefit OF mankind is undertaken TO make,
is now proposed, formal commencement and where
shall ind work worthy OF such solemny lh an
this which begin this day OF all the works which
civilization and science enable man 10 construct, per
haps aqueduct the useful, the most enduring
The channels constructed by Pagan emperors before
the Christian sill continue 10 pour their heahiul
waters into decaying Rome What other structure Of
those " days now continues TO fulfil It's original plr-
pose! The antquary with painful labor dec'phers the
inscriptions which half reveal half conceal The Rame oil
the hero OF funeral pyramid tTlumphal arch while
the aqueduct, embalmng IN the gratitude OF the people
the oil it's founder. sill supplies health and life and
peTpeua,es his after the lapse OF eighteen hundred
years.
worthy OF your presence, and ask you, whom Con-
gress nrusted the decision upon the plan 10 strike the
first spade into the ground and begin the Washington
Aqueduc,-a work which. il completed upon the scale
you have ordered d, will be worthy monument TO the
Father of his County, whose il bears and which
will your administration 10 be long and gratefully
by the c.zens OF the metropolis, which he
laid out on 80 great pan-a plan which shows that be
looked far into futurity and with faith the onward
and upward OF people governed upon free prln-
cipes and by rulers OF their own choice.
The President being then presented with the necessary
implement Tor commencing the excavation, made bref
pre inary address, which he observed that the part
be had been called upon to take in relation TO this work
had been confined decision the best plan OF con-
Quoting il and that, upon the statement OF facts submit
ted 10 him by the engineer The propeiy OF its adopon
considering the agnude OF the enterprise, It's dura-
ton, and its great Importance 10 all parts oil the DISTINCT
did not admit OF doubt. The duty assigned to him
the present occasion was TO break he hst ground IN
prosecution OF the plan this he should now with great
satisfaction proceed TO do leaving The rest to others
He then took the SPADE amidst the cheers OF the spec
istors, and turned the hIst sod.
The Hon Jefferson Davis Secretary OF War, followed
next in order He addressed the company in short but
Impressive speech, in which he congratulated them as
the highest degree useful and honorable to gen.
eraon and whose benefits were 10 descend TO thousands
yet to come
This undertaking Che sad) had been criticised in no
friendly attempt intended by lis magnitude
and expense emulate the regal splendor OF the works
of the Old World; but. in his opinion, public werk
could be high grand 10 be undertaken by free
people, especially when II 10 benefit city bearing
the OF Washing on-lch eersl-a; work destined TO
cause refreshing to flow through metropolis
honored by that which would remain fresh
and green the memory and the affections OF every true
Americana consecraied alike 10 the patriots and
The soldiers fame. whose genius controlled both The
armies and The councils OF his country.
The honorable Secretary paid merted tribute TO the
talent and learning OF the engineer under whose manage
this great design had been properly placed
pressing his ae ctonae good will 10 the city and all Its
Interests. aud again insisting that. great and magnificent
that design il did not exceed the desny reserved
for such city, into which 1t would eventually pour
tide OF prosperity and greatness that would In The mind
far above all consideration OF The amount appropriated
for great public benefit He concluded by observing
that he had been in the habit OF listening the eng-
for all thai related TO this undertaking. and to hun
he would refer nqurers for the details connected with
is accomplishment
The Secretary then followed bis Chief and turned
over the second sod
The honorable Seaator Douglas. OF illinois, said that
the magnitude OF the contemplated work, lar from
senling TO his mind any objection TO ITS inception was
on the contrary, strong Argument in It's favor. provided
Its usefulness was IN proportion TO It's dimensions We
IN America accustomed 10 spend money Tor works
OF utility, not 10 those OF mere ornament, poDp, and
show. None that contemplated The present design could
only d,src under The dIect munispa protection OF the
general government, the government Owed TO the citl
OF Washington, in which the Congress assembled.
10 present II with worthy OF the and OF the
whose II bore. In token, then, OF the good.
will he all great works designed Tor the public
good, provided their accomplishment sanctioned BY
the constitution IL with g.at pleasure that he should
now lit q spadefu OF earth toward the completion OF
noble undertaking
Inc sod ai-ed by the Hon. John w. Maury,
mayor OF Washington, who observed that he bad not
there TO make speech, but 10 participate IN a
ceremony which was the ioeranner Of benefit vast
. and iaestmable TO a metropolis dear 10 all Americans
and the beginning OF work TO prove an enduring bless
log those who should nsabit the city OF Washington
through present and future generations.
w w Seaton. late mayor OF Washington, remarked
he took hold OF the spade that although he was no.
free from The abors and responsibilities OF the mayoay
be still permitted TO share In some OF its privileges
and enioymens. OF which was the pleasure extended
him OF uniting 10 this interesting ceremony. u wa
with prde that Ne should remove cod In honor and ap
prova OF the beneheent work which he bad long cooem
plated with deep sociude. and had lived to see happily
begun.
af John r. Towers, President OF the Board OF Alder
men Nicholas Csllan President OF the Board Of Com
mon Council, David Englsh President OF the Board Of
Common Council OF Georgetown; Mr.. Lyons OF the sans
Corporation, and Mr. Jos Bryan, late OF he Washington
Council successfully took The spade in hand and with
some what OF zeal Than sd oitness 10 unwoned
o<cupsi on) lifted each his cod IN token OF good will Il
the unde fakirg
Thomas Richie. ESQ., invited 10 follow. but, be
fore he bowed his venerable locks over the SOIL he OBJ
served that by a provision oil the constitution OF tbs
THIS might have been PROVISIONS u had cef,s'nly
hut Mr. had been