Houma Ceres., 1856-10-18
The U. S. MILITARY ASYLUM AT

The U. S. MILITARY ASYLUM AT
WASHINGTON. - The National Intelli-
gencer has the following interesting des-
cription Of this institution
The Military Asylum on the north side
of the city is one Of the most interesting
and noteworthy of the public establish.
ments Of the District. 1t occupies site
once the proper Of George w. Riggs,
ESQ.,, from whom it was purchased by the
Government. Its elevation and distance
from any watercourse render it particu-
larly salubrious, and the outlook from it in
every direction is exceedingly fine. The
area Of the property is stated at two hun.
dred and eighty-five acres, Of which sew
enty are under cultivation. A large edi-
flee Of native marble, whose white tower
may be deserted from almost every spot
for miles around, peering out from amidst
the thick outrageous foliage, is near
completion, and will contain about thirty
four sleeping rooms, sufficient TO accom-
rnodate two hundred and fifty inmates.
The other rooms are very large and airy,
and the dining room is especially SO. AT
present, the inmates Of the asylum to the
number Of seventy -four inhabit the man.
sion frs, owned and built by Mr.. Riggs.
Besides the new main building, which can
be extended without marring the portion
now erected, there have been two large
and tasteful mansions Of the same material
AS the asylum. occupied by the officers in
charge of the establishment. In ono Of
these Col. N. M. Payne resides as gov.
ernor; DR.. Benz. King. secretary and
treasurer, and temporarily in charge Of
the sick, occupies the other. Major
Larkin Smith, deputy governor, lives in a
dwelling on the same estate, but more
distant.
The old soldiers have perfectly easy
time at this asylum, doing pretty much as
they please. working or playing at will.
They are Of course subject to proper regu-
lations, and may render themselves liable
by misconduct to have their monthly
pocket money stopped, to confinement and
even, by judgment Of the executive COM
mitment, to ejectment. Workshops are
provided, where they may work at their
trades, and any Of their products of indus
try which may be Of use in the military
service Of the country are bought by the
ordnance and quartermaster's department
as fair rates. The persons who are en-.
titled to the benefits Of the asylum are,
first, those who may have served in the
United States army faithfully for twenty
years so also soldiers and members Of
the marine corps wounded or disabled by
disease contracted in the Mexican war.
Soldiers who may have contributed to the
funds Of the asylum under certain regula-
tions are also included. No provision is
made for the wives and children Of pen.
sioners, as no such provision is contem-
plated in the law, but to invalids, such as
can prosecute trade or handicraft, facili-
ties will Lo afforded for so doing. Good
character, ut least since admission into
the service Of tho United States, is deemed
essential to an enjoyment Of the benefits Of
the asylum.
This establishment is distant from the
Centre Market just three miles, and is
most conveniently approached by Seventh
street for the eastern part Of the city and
Fourteenth for the western. 1t is not sur
prising that it is favorite place Of visit in
the mild seasons Of the year.