Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-11-15

sit may not be out OF place 20 observe, That
natural to anticipate that a theater would, at
some day or other, be built A city like this
without theater would have formed an eXcep-
have amusements Of some sort; and a theater,
believe, is one OF the most innocent and elegant
that can be found adapted to tastes of all sorts.
Hence 1t was, probably, that In projecting the
plan OF this city a site was selected for a Thea
ter-and judiciously selected. too, 1 humbly
think-but whether so or not, this site, 1t seems,
was published to the world as constituting part
OF the permanent plan OF the city, and In all
probability Afforded an inducement to purchas-
ers either from It's contiguity, its remOteneSS or
the security which its position promises to pri-
vate dwellings, consider sales made under the
public exhibition Of this plan as amounting to a
contract between the public and the individual
purchasers nom which 1t would be unwarrant-
able to depart.
(SigneD WILLIAM WRIT"
Upon the receipt Of this opinion the Presi-
dent Endorsed the resolutions in the following
words:
"JUNE 8, 1920.
authorize the mayor to take possession OF so much
OF the ground described in it rs Will be necessary
for the erection OF theater. The terms for other
nation OF them is required before the occupation
OF greater portion OF the pupuc ground can De
allowed. JAMES MONROE"
THE FIRST GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS.
The act of July 16, 1870, directed the Commits
soners ''to provide suitable buildings for the ac-
commodation Of Congress and Of the President
and for the public officers Of the government
prior to the first Monday Ia December. 1909, but
appropriated no money for the work. Their
only means at the outset were derived from the
sales of lots and from grants OF money by Viz
ginia and Maryland; Virginia having given
1920, 900 and Maryland $4,000. With this money
the Presidents House and the Capitol were be-
gun, the cornerstone OF the first being laid Dc
tober Is, 1892, and that of the Capitol September
George WASHINGTON Masonic
ceremonies. To obtain freestone for construct
ing these and other buildings the Commission
ers purchased, for the sum OF 800 Virginia
currency, OF one George Brent. quarry situated
on an island in Acquia Creek, Va, buying the en-
tire island except one acre, which belonged to
other parties The quantity of land purchased
was made at this point in quarrying freestone,
and at other places in getting out breccia mar
ble &C. The Acquia Creek quarry still belonged
to the United States in 1916, and In fact, as no
government property and might again supply
stone for public buildings in Washington. Ac-
tive search was made for freestone at other
points along the river, and this search resulted
In the discovery OF abundance OF freeStOne at
Mount Vernon. A sample OF this was taken out
and sent to the President, who acknowledged Its
receipt in the following letter to one of the Com
miSSionerS:
PHILADELPHIA, 18th Dec, 1892.
Dear .Sr:-I have been favored with your let
ter of the 9Th, and sample Of freeStone from
thank you both, and should be obliged to him
for information of the spot from whence it was
taken. l always knew that the river banks
from my spring house to the ferry, formerly
owned by Capt. POSey, were almost an entire
bed of freestOne, but had conceived, before the
late sample came to hand, that it was OF a very
soft nature. AS the quarry from outward appear
ance is in a manner ineyhauStible l should
have no objection to an investigation of the
banks by Skillful and orderly persons, as the
public, as well as myself, might be benefited by
n a n q lr
the federal city.
remain, &C, GEO. WASHINGTON.
1t does not appear that the Mount Vernon
freeStOne was utilized, probably because further
search revealed good stone within the limits OF
the city ITSELF In one of their letters dated
shortly after the above was written, they an
nounce the discovery of abundance OF the arti-
Gle near the
KEY OF ALL KEYS.
This place, so singularly named, was at the
point of land between Georgetown and the
then existing village of Hamburg. near the ele-
walton on which the Naval Observatory is built.
Here there was a small fort or earthwOrk,
which probably occupied the crest, while the
quarry was in the side of the hill. large
amount OF stone was taken out at this point, as
many entries appear OF money expended In pay
ing the men employed at the Hamburg quar-
rtes," and the Commissioners say, in a letter
dated January IS, 1894. "The quarrieS In this
city promise everything we wish with respect
to foundation stone, and we believe afford great
In this city,"
If the records of those early days are to be
trusted, there Is no need of sending to Seneca
for freeStOne.
THE PROPOSED. PRESIDENTIAL '.PALAcE"
The architect of the Presidents House was
James Hoban, who was engaged for this purpose
July Is, 1892 The Commissioners, it would ap-
pear, had somewhat exalted ideas as to what
kind OF a building the residence OF the Presiden
should be. They refer to it in their first letter
no in -ltIN, latfn
as the palace" Fortunately, perhaps, want
Of funds and the good sense OF their architect
compelled the erection of less pretentions
structure than was intended. 1t would appear
by the following letter from the Commissioners
that Major L'Enfant drew the first plans and
Mr.. Hobans were for much smaller building
GEORGETOWN, July II, 1892.
To George Washington. President:
Sir:-YeSterday the Commissioners contracted
with Mr.. Hoban for his services by the year at
800 guineas; his draft and attention may be con-
with Mr.. Hoban to the scite OF the palace that
he might lay out the foundation, the plan being
much less than Major LEnfant's design will not
fill up to the divergent stakes.
If the 800 guineas mentioned in the above let
ter as compensation were guineaS sterling, Mr..
Hoban's compensation must have afterwards
been reduced, as payments were made TO him at
the rate OF 81 400 per annum.
THE ORIGINAL CAPITOL.
The first architect of the Capitol was stephen
Hallet, but the plan was a combination of his
designs with those OF DR.. William Thornton, and
perhaps Of others. 1t would appear from the
Following letter that the dome was suggested by
Judge Turner" whether an architect or an
amateur Is not stated.
MOUNT VERNON, July %, 1892.
To the Commissioners, de-, GeaHenlen:-Your
favor OF the 10Th, accompanying Judge Turner's
plan for Capitol, have duly received, and
have no hesitation In declaring that am more
agreeably struck with the appearance or it than
with any that has been presented to you. I re-
turn II without delay, because among other rea-
sons for doing ft) Mr.. Turner wishes to receive
1t, in any event, Immediately. There Is the same
defect, however in this plan as there Is in all
the plans which have been presented to you,
namely, the want OF an executive apartment,
which ought If possible, to be obtained. The
dome suggested as an addition to the center OF
the edifice would, in my opinion give beauty
and grandeur to the pile, and might be useful
for the reception OF clock and Dell.
remain, &C., GEO. WASHINGTON
Much OF the rough labor on the buildings was
performed by slaves, of whom ninety at one
time were at work, hired from their masters at
$50 year, the Commissioners furnishing rations
or corn and pork; but IL was found extremely
difficult at first to procure skilled labor and ma
terialS. Some of the latter, such as glass; paints
lead, &C., had to be brought from Europe, and
an attempt was made TO import stone-cutters
and other mechanics from there. Circular let
tiers were sent to the mayors and other munich
pal authorities abroad, setting forth the advan-
tages Of emigration to America, and the need OF
~faR D.