Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-11-29
G. SCOTT,
w. THORNTON,
A. WHITE.
Secretary of State,

Secretary OF State.
AMSTERDAM, 10th January, 1898.
Gust. Scott, esq, VIM. Thornton, esq, Aler.
White, esq, Commissioners to the CITY Of
Washington:
the honor to mention to you the 9Th of Deem
Der last. Sylvanus Bourne, esq.,, consul of your
republick, has been so oblig1ng as to hand us
your esteemed favor of the l4th Of Ausust, con-
veying copy Of your letter Of 18th of June
Since you have converSed with your friend on
the subject OF the proposed loan, we have no
doubt but he fully agreed with what we've
mentioned to you, and be convinced that his
offices or influence can give no weight to house
OF our substance In similar objects
You may depend that the disastrous times we
labor under, the heavy contributions our c1tf-
ZenS are submerged, renders money so scarce,
that loans are fmpracticable, and 1t is only by
Offering all the conditions to the satisfaction OF
the money-lenderS, that loan can be prepared
at this time when 1t requires particular man.
agement, assisted by great influence and per-
sOnal consideration 10 succeed This had been
to acceed to the desired StipulatiOnS, and al
tho We can give no assurances, il no war
takes place. we don't despair on receiving the
required faculty, to succeed at least in part, II
this should suit your convenience.
We remain with sincere esteem gentlemen,
your obedient servants
WILHELM AND JAN WnIINK
LOW STATE OF DISTRICT CREDIT IN 179S
All that could be borrowed at home was
$500, 900 in L. S. six per cent stock at par, when
the stock in market was selling at 50 heavy a
discount that but s169, sI3.4l could be obtained
for it. This stock was loaned by Maryland, and
the authorities of the state obliged the commits
sioners, although the repayment of the loan was
guaranteed by the United States, to give their
personal obligations in addition. In the year
119s Congress authorized loan of 800 900 from
the Treasury. and $50 600 was obtained from
Maryland in United States stock, the state re-
qu1ring as before the personal obligations of the
commissioners, together with those OF Uriah
Forrest and James NJ. Singan, also mortgage
on APO acres OF land and on all the public prop
erty in the city OF Washington. From this loan
but $40 4SS.96 was realized In cash. These loans
from Maryland were repaid in FULL principal and
interest, S24, 599.01 being paid from proceeds Of
lots, and the rest from appropriations by Con-
gresS, the state thus receiving payment at par
Tor stock loaned when at heavy discount.
THE TREASURY AND WAR OFFICES
were commenced In 179s. The Treasury build
ing, burned in the year 1888, stood on 18th street.
occupying about the same site as the central
portion OF the present building. 1t had front
on street, which then ran directly through In
front OF the Presidents House and War Office.
Washington himself, who, ON the ground. per-
sonally pointed out the places which they were
to occupy. 1t appears that he wished to have
them near the Presidents and as far removed
from the Capitol as they could conveniently be
placed, for the very singular reason among
Others that while Congress was in session the
heads OF departments could do little business,
so much were they interrupted by calls from
individual members. Before work on the Treas
ury was begun, and shortly after John Adams
became President, an attempt was made TO alter
the location and erect the department buildings
on Capitol Hill. and 1t would seem that Adams
desired that the change should be made, but the
commissioners protested against this, and init
mated pretty strongly that they would do MOTH
Ing OF the kind, as they considered Washing
toms orders sufficient authority to go on with
the work as he had directed
GEORGE WASHINGTON COMPLAINS OF THE BOTHER
OF CONGRESSMAN.
The following letter from the commissioners
to the President is of special interest in this
nection:
WASHINGTON, April 49, 179s.
To the President 0Jthe United States:
Sir: The commissioners were Informed by a
letter from MIR. White, OF the 18th of March last
''that the President was OF opinion that the ex-
ecutive offices ought TO be erected as near the
Capitol as convenient site could be found for
them, as well for the accommodation OF the
members OF the Legislature who have frequent
occasion to recur to those offices, as means OF
collecting the Inhabitants TO point so as to
secure accommodation for the government when
the time comes for their removal
We exceedingly regret this opinion, because
the late President Washington always held up
the idea that the executive ofices ought to be
attached to the Presidents house, for this OBJ
ytouS reason, that the business OF the heads OF
departments was principally with the President,
and not only so, but he stated that it was an
universal complaint among them that while
the Legislature was in session they could
do little or no business, so much were
members that they were often obliged to go
home and deny themselves, in order TO trans
act the current business OF their departments
he not only gave us his opinion, with his reasons,
but on the ground, personally pointed out the
places on which the executive buildings were to
be erected, with orders to erect them there when
we should possess the means We now possess
the means, and consider the act OF the late Pres
tdent as full authority to proceed in the work.
We Halter ourselves the present President Will
not obStruct this measure, because the erecting
these buildings In any other place would indicate
an intention to abandon the Presidents House
as the residence of the President, which we
think cannot be done consistent with the good
faith due 10 those who gave up the property on
and near which 1t stands, and those who have
purchased in the vicinity. We are likewise OF
opinion that change in the situation of these
buildings, instead OF tending to secure accom-
modati0nS for the government when the time
comes for their removal, Will have directly
contrary effect, because 1t viii withdraw from
those who hold property In that part of the city
me strongest inducement to build. that of imme.
9iate profit 1t VIII not lessen the buildings near
sne Sapitol, because the utmost exertions of the
vpLietors In that vicinity viii not be SUFFICIENT
paovlae more houses than viii be immediate
I've oS Dtp on the removal OF the government,
nv 3aHnq 70 cease the work on the President
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