The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1857-07-10

Davis and A. g. Brown have the entire confidence OF the
democracy of Claiborne county and desire that all
honorable means should he used by our representa-
tves in the next legislature for the reelection of Hon
A. e. Brown.
Rco,red, That the administration Of Gen. Pierce has
met most sanguine expectations always faithful to
the whole country, the laws and the constitution.
Rsolred That highly approve and endorse the nau-
gural of Mr. Buchanan and in the formation OF his cab
met recognise patriotism and justice which
antccs for the rights Of the entire Union.
Reoised, That opposed to all sectionalism
and to dwarng the democratic party down to suit factions
cliques.
WASHINGTON CITY FIFTY SEVEN YEARS AGO
The following description of our city in the year
1900, when first occupied by the federal govern
ment, was written by the Hon. John Cotton Smith,
of Connecticut and will undoubtedly prove particu
larly interesting to our Washington readers;
"our approach to the city accompanied with
satons not easily described One wing of the Capitol
only had been erected which, with the President House.
mile distant from IT, both constructed with white sand
stone shining objects in dismal contrast with tho
around them Instead Of recognising the avenues
and streets portrayed the plan Of the city, not one
visible, unless except road, with two buildings on
each side Of it, called the New jersey The Penn
sylvana, leading, laid down paper, from the Capt.
tol to the Presidential Mansion then nearly the
whole distance deep morass, covered with alder
bushes, which cut through the width OF the
intended avenue during the then ensuing winter Be
tween the Presidents House and Georgetown block
Of houses had been erected which then BORE and may
still bear, the Of the Sm Buildings. There were
Also two other blocks consisting Of two three dwell
ling houses in different directions and and then
insulated wooden habation the intervening spaces and
indeed the surface of the city generally being covered
with shrub oak bushes the higher grounds and on the
marshy soil either trees sort of hrubbcry Nor
the desoac aspect Of the place little augmented
by number Of unfinished edices at GrceBteaf's Point
and on an eminencc short distance from it, commenced
dual tlay hnra Sfn nj
whose funds compelled him to abandon them, not only
unfinished, but in runous condition. There appeared
to he but two really comfortable Indications in all
specs within The bounds Of the city, of which be-
lon,,cd to Dudley Carroll esq., and the other to Not
ley Young who the former proprictors Of large
proportion Of the land appropriated to the city, but
who reserved for their own accommodation grounds
sufficient for gardens and other useful appurtenances
The roads every direction muddy and unimprovcd
sidewalk attempted in instance by covering
formed of the chips OF the stones which had been hcwcd
FOR the Capitol 1t extended but little way and was
of little valHc for in dry weather the sharp fragments
cut our shoes, and in wet weather covered them with
white mortar. In short, it was new settlement
The houses with two three exceptions, had been very
recently erected, aud the operation greatly hurried IN
view of the approaching transfer OF the national govern
mcnt. Iaudabc desire was manifested by what few
citizens and residents there to render condition
as pleasant circumstances would permit One of the
blocks Of buildings already mentioned situated on the
cast side Of what was intended for the Capitol Square
and being chiefly occupied by extensive and wckcpt
hotel, accommodated goodly number Of tho members
Our little party took lodgings with Mr. Peacock in
one of the houses the Now Jersey avenue, with the
addition of Senators Tracy Of Connecticut, and Chip
man and Paine, of Vermont and Representatives
Thomas, of Maryland, and Dana, Edmond, and Girls
woId of Connecticut Speaker Scdgwck was allow
cd room to himself; tho rest of us IN pairs 10 my
ccllcnt friend Davenport and myself allotted spa
cous and dcccntly rnisled apartment, with separate
beds on the lower oor Our diet was various, but al
ways substantial, and we were attended by active and
I'M M thn trrn
members took lodgings at Georgetown, which, though of
superior ORDER three miles distant from the Capt.
toll and Of course rendered the daily employment Of
hackney coaches Indispensable
Notwithstanding the uniivorabc aspect which Wash
ington presented arrival cannot sufficiently cx
press my admiration of its local position From the
Captol You have distinct view Of its fine undulatng
surface situated at the confluence Of the Potomac and its
Eastern branch the wide eypansc Of that majestic river to
the bend at Mount Vernon, the cities of Alexandria and
Georgetown and the cultivated fields and blue hills Of
Marylau, and Virginia either side Of the river-thc
whole constituting scene of surprising beauty and
,randc,r The CITY has also the incstimable adyan-
tage Of delightful water, in many instances flowing
from copious springs, and always attainahle ny Dig
ging to moderate depth; to which may be added
thc singular fact that such Is the due afimxturc o
oam and clay in the soil of great portion of the city
house may be built of brick made of the Garth
dug from the cellar; hence it was not unusual 70
see the remains of brickln near the nowly-erccted
dwelling house other eiiice In short when we con-
slider not only these advantages but what, In national
point Of yicw is Of superior Importance the location on
fine navigable river, accessible Ia the whole maritime
frontier OF the United Stac and yet easily rendered de-
fensibc against foreign invasion and that by the fac
ties of internal navigation and railways IL may be
prmehcd by the population of the western States and in
deed of the whole nation, with less Inconvenience thar
any other conceivable situationwc must acknowledge
that its selection by Washington the permanent seat
tho federal government affords striking exhibition OF thu
dsccrnnent wisdom and forecast which characterzeo
that ilustrious man Under this impression whenever
during the six years of my connection with Congress, the
question of removing the scat of government to some
other place was agtated land the proposition was ire
oucntly maieI stood almost alone, as northern man
in giving my vote in the negative
Rev Henry Ward Becchcr better known as Rifle
man Bcccher, has changed his tune, but not his
text. From general his attention is now directed to
local politics. We copy the following from the
Tribune
The Rev Henry Ward Bcccher preached sermon or
Sunday evening the prevailing corrupons in our city
government not only in the recent dsgraccfu
DEVELOPMENT in which the mayor has figured, but al
equally apparent in the studous and organized effort
the mart OF officers OF the Law to defeat and parayze al
the beneficial legislation that has been had for past
.u.,.t fcta,,ncrance Gambling. and cmiQrant swind