Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1867-02-20

tary of War ~ letter of July 26 1866, you re-
qurstrd "tbst the ground known N h-ridi.n
HIii," ana she estate of the late Wasn,ugt IN
Be'Iy." h 'uld be- particularly examined a
they are thought To contain al the req isite
advantages tor such a cit; .'sls1 such otn- To-
cailtles asm may, ip he Judgment OF Lhe ensi-
nrer, pfesent eligible positions for sp ch ap,r-
pose. IN compliance wi YOU wish made
special recon notssahces and SURVEYS of the
atove named places, as Well as some others.
which on-r aTeat lnn oe-ments, and will now
i. A1idian HiH-(Colonel Messmore's es-
tate Tins site is located due north from the
present White House. on the first range of
hills bound ding the limits of the city of wash
inRfon- IL is OF easy access, Sc veral aveu aes
and streets leading IN that direction. On the
east ~ adjoins he lands Of Columbia College,
and on the west those of Mr.. Little. The mum.
Der Of acres Contained in rhis tract 10 one hua-
dTed and twenty, winch added 10 that of Mr.
Lttle's THU ~ -eie ht acres gives total of one
hundred and fifty eight. The Latter offered to
sell 10 the Government at about six cents q
square foot or S263 per acre. On botn these.
estates are elig Bile bn aiding sites; the view to-
wards the south overlooking the city and the
valley OF the Potomac. being particularly fine
At one time some large forest trees add ID
beauty TO The scene, but most of them were de-
stroyed during the war. There are no i'm.
proNemsnrs, the old mansion house having
been DESTROYED by fire, and the walls are alone
sanding North of the site the land is nearly
Ievsi, safy slightly unduiatng. Although
possessed of considerable advantages, there
are several objections 10 This selection, in con-
nection with the object in view. Lying Just
above the plateau OF the city and not screened
by any belt of timber. il is exposed to the mi
asma,ic Influences rising from the marshes of
the Potomac. Again, IL is too near the city to
afford any retirement and repos- for the Che
MagIstra e. Already the street railroads an
. on all sides of this site.
III. Metropolis Viev-( Homestead of the late
Washington Berry )-This estate lies northeast
Of he Capitol between the old Baden sburg
road and Lincoln avenue, the latter a coatin-
nation of North Capitol street 1t is distant
from the Capitol about two and a half miles
and from the White House about three m les
Ii contains some three inbred and n fty acres
valued by The trustees at $500 an acre, with the
improvements, including a very fine spring:
the Wnoie Is offered at S2UO,UO To the east al
II lies brentwood. the fine estate OF Mrs Pear
son, ard TO the west q len wood Cemetery and
HARDWOOD. the beautiful grounds of Mr. Or
coTan. In front spreads out lexington 50
many years the homestead of the late MT
Gales, which contains 1871 acres; the price OF
this land IS placed at $1,000 per acre. with
Sz5,Un additional for improvements Metrop.
oils View Is beautifully situated, having a
high and commanding position; il is partially
covered with groves of fine old trees, decid-
u bnnds sno er.rgrsens and possessed of an
the place. and two small streams tributar,as
OF me Tiber. course through IT, In nearly
very erection the eye meets with charming
lahascaFe scenes. and II overIooks the capital
ana the broad valley OF the Potomac This
locality possesses many attractions and - sus
cepuoie OF great Improvement. 1t is easy of
access ny some OF the finest avenues and streets
Leading ont of the city, and is at a very con We
nient distance from the most prominent public
buildings. ~
Eeking ton is delightful place, but itisnot
sufficiently high To afford any ext, nsiye vie vs.
1t should, however, be purct ased in add ,tton
10 the Berry estate. should Metropolis View be
seIec'eo as me site The two tracts of land
united would furnish ample grounds to sur
round the man sion, and also open q fine mark
10 connect with the city on the direct line with
the capitol Thesum total of the valuations
OF both estates amounts TO S355,0N. In regard
10 the healthfulness Of this locality, the opin-
ions OF those with whom have Consulted diff.
Ter very materially Some think that the mi
asma carried mp the valley of the Tiber from
the Eastern Branch is very deIetertous To
health, while others, who have long in habted
these old homesteads, pronounce them to be
perfectly salubrious
III. Hdrepood - (Mr Corcoran's estate !
Ameng the many delightful drives around the
city OF washington none can COMPARE with
nose 70 De found within the enclosures of this
delightful retreat. The grounds are most ar.
tisucally arranged, and no expense has been
spared In adorning them by all the appllau ces
at the command of taste and wealth The
grounds are naturally beautiful and unduIat.
Ing. and all that skill can accomplish has been
applied to render them most charming and
picturesque. In addition to the natural
growth OF vegetation, many trees and plants Of
other nations and clmes have been introd uced
10 impart their luxuriance to the scene The
estate covers some two hundred acres, but as
AND walks. the Imagination Is led to believe 1t
10 be OF much greater ex tent Good roads lead
To IT from the city, making 1t perfectly accessi-
Ole. nne spring furnishes aplentiful supply
OF water, and in point Of health 1t is all that
can be Desired. This spot, originally selected
by the proprietor upon which 70 erect princs.
~ mansion, is one Of the most delightful siIua-
nons among the many fine ones in the en- virops
OF Washington; il would be a most eli bIs siia
for presidential mansion
" The homestead Of Mr. Moncure Robinson -
nc "a "a to d u
proprietor, the latter residing in the city of
philadelphia. II lies adjoining the lands be-
longing to the U. s. Military Asylum the
I ,oa Wnucn leads out OF the city on the pro-
near the home for the cid soldiers, almost d.
yides the place into equal parts. There are
about seventy acres IN all, which the owrer
proposes to sell at 81 800 per acre, without the
improvements these he values at $3.50. U0O The
mansion occupies one of the most eley ated DO.
sinons in the neighborhood of Washington
An extensive panorama Of the surrounding
country lies before the beholder; from every
point of the compass the eye can d we'll mon
magnificent landscapes extending far into
Maryland and Virginia. and Combining All
that is beautiful and picturesque In one d.
reetlcn the gaze rests for miles on the waters
OF the majestic Potomac, and in another there
are m1an,ans and n.ls maptled with forests,
place contains large portion Of heavy tim.
Der, and is so situated as to offer numerous
sdvsntages tT improvement, From ITS great
Il
nuences. There are fine springs IN the neigh.
borhood, which furnish an abundance OF water
Tor useful and ornamental purposes. The 10.
caiIty Is convenient to both cities Through
Washington several avenues and streets lead
towards the road above referred 10 as connec-
ting with North Capitol street; by this drive
etralght-lne communication can be had with
the Capitol. the distance between the two be.
ing less than four miles. BY the avenues and
streets connecting with the Fourteenth street
road ard Seventh street turnpike, thence by
Rock Creek Church road q very direct drive OF
q little over tour miles can be had with the
White House and the public buildings adioin-
ingt. From Georgetown almost an air line
can be had from Boundary street. Tayior,s
lane, and Rock Greek Church read. distance of
about tour miles. a..- TT. =
directly In front, or south of Mr.. Robin sons
beautiful locality, lie the very pretty grounds
OF Mrs. X. s. Wood, consisting of 40 acres
The two must be considered In par able should
the Robinson site be selected for q presidential
mansion. They are valued at about $1,000 per
acre, not including the improvements. The
TWO places can probably be purchased for
tl5OOOO. Mrs. Woods tract Joins Hare wood
on the south, ana on the west that OF the Mill.
tAry Asyium. The lands Of tue latter do not
belong 70 the Government, bat are in trust for
the old soldiers. and contain some 25S acres.
a reference 70 the map will sho the honor.
able committee the peeu Iiaflv attract W fea
lures, both OF position and general can van ieu