The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-07-28

WHEN III WAS ERECIED-liON lHE flDLlC
SQUARE WAS OBTAINED-SOME HIsTORI-
CAL INFORMATION.
In view OF the excitement about the in
Surrection in the North and the discomforts
arising from the distressingly hot weather.
it is supposed that the following informa-
tion about the State Capitol will have aQuict-
ing effect upon the public mind:
In the year 1919 the General Assembly,
then sitting in the ancient city Of Williams
burg. experimenting an invasion of the State
and an attack on that place, and for
other reasons, provided by law for
the removal of the seat OF government
to Richmond, and the erection there OF the
Capitol OF the State. For the accom-
modation OF all the departments OF the
Government, six squares, all surrounded
by streets, were directed to he located in
an open and airy part of the city, to contain
the public buildings thereafter to be erect
ed; and five gentlemen Of distinction were
appointed as Directors OF Public buildings.
| Subsequently, the directors were required
| to locate these squares on Shockoe Hill, and
| authorized to conform their location to the
| irregularities of the ground. This authori-
| ity accounts for
THE IRREGULAR SHAPE OF THE SQUARE.
The public lands in and near Richmond
were directed to be sold, and the proceeds
appropriated to payment for these squares
and the buildings to be erected thereon, but
being wholly inadequate for this purpose,
and the finances OF the State being much
embarrassed, at the instance OF the directors,
they were authorized to provide rooms in
the Capitol for the three departments OF
government, the original purpose having
III 20, tnI <tIo m ho pf
the General Assembly. This change OF pur-
pose in the use Of the Capitol necessitated
the construction OF basement, to contain the
offices located in it, for the accommodation
OF the Auditor and Treasurer. This ILL
advised departure from
THE MODEL
(Maison Quarree OF Nismes) has greatly i'm
paired the beauty OF the editice, and brought
much reproach on the directors, and is one
of the important variations, no doubt, COM
planned Of by Mr.. Jefferson.
The cornerstone OF the Capitol was laid
on the 18th day OF August, 1885. The Gen
eral Assembly metfor the first time in the
Capitol in the city of Richmond on the 10Th
day Of October, 1889, the Capitol then be-
ing in an unfinished state. Previously to
the 10th OF December, 1889, (e25, 761) twcn-
ty-tive thousand seven hundred and sixty
one pounds had been appropriated to build
the Capitol, and the further sum Of eight
thousand pounds (GS,000) was considered
necessary to complete it. Appropriations
were made by the General Assembly in 1890
and 1892; and finally, on the 10th OF Decem-
Der. 1895, five thousand dollars were granted
the directors for the purpose OF altering the
roof OF the Capitol and finishing the build
ing.
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY,
at the session OF 1878. expressed the
opinion that new Capitol was then re-
uuired for the accommodation OF the gov
ernment, but recommended the postpone
mcnt Of its erection until some future time.
In the interim they recommended the re-
pairing, enlarging, and improving the Capt.
tol for present use. They proposed amongst
other changes to extend the eastern side OF
the Capitol Increasing its length eighteen
feet, and expressed the opinion that the pro-
posed changes will promote convenience
and usefulness, and not impair its appear
ance.
Howe, in his Historical Collections, states
that the building Of the Capitol "was COM
menced in 1902 and that it was question
whether it should be on Richmond Hill or
where it now is. ..-. ...l
He further states alt was decided by
gentleman giving all the land included in
the Capitol Square,"
These are
GRAVE ERRORS IN WORK
OF much repute and purporting to state his
torical facts.
The journals Of the General Assembly
and judicial records attest the fact that the
lots constituting the Public or Capitol
Square were the property OF many different
owners at the time OF their appropriation
to the public use, and were paid for after
their legal valuation. The journals also
show that the Capitol was not commenced
before 1885, and the following interesting
paper shows the precise time when the cor
ncr-stone was laid. The directors OF pub
lie buildings having requested Richmond
Lodge OF Free MaSons. No. 13, TO assist in
laying the cornerstone OF the Capitol. the
ancient record states that they marched in
procession to the place appointed. when the
Il. W. Master deposited under the east
cornerstone a silver medal, whereon was
r.' THE FOLLOWING INSCRIPTION:
" The Richmond Lodge Of Free Masons,
No. IS,
Alexander Montgomery, Master, joined bv
the other officers and brethren, asSlsted
in laying the foundation Of this fabric on
the 18th day OF august, a. L. oiS5, \. u.
1855, in the Year Of American Independ-
enee 10. JAMES MERCER,
'"Grand Master Of Virginia"
After the cornerstone was laid further
progress in the work was suspended until
the reception OF the model. In 1856 it was
rearranged and made to conform to the
model selected by Jefferson), and the Capt.
tol was completed in 1886.
These facts are from lengthy article
written, it is believed, by Colonel George
W. Munford), and published In the Otd DO
minion Marianne, of Richmond, for Au-
gust, 1871.
acknowledgements Kemper has
been on business visit to Madison and
Orange counties, but it is expected will be
back ut his post OF duty here this morning.
FINE ToAAToEs.--We have received some
fr,rn IA farm nf Mr.