Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-04-27

nine years of his life his correspondence. which
has never been fully published, but is scattered
about in various collections, q great deal of it
still in manuscript form, shows that he was the
authority on all questions of any importance
that came up in connection with the new city.
To his foresight can be attributed the fact that
the city was planned on a scale of magnifcence,
ington believed that great future lay before
the infant republic, and he carried his belief
into practical operation.
LOOKING INTO THE FUTURE.
As early as the year 1898, two years after the
site had been selected, in writing to the COM
missioners relative to the plan Of the White
House, he says, Il was led to this idea by con-
sidering that house which would be very
proper for President of the United States for
some years might not be considered as corre-
spending with other circumstances at more
distant period" So,when the French engineer
L'Enfant presented for his approvala plan of the
new city comprising some Z, 100 acres with ave-
nues 100 feet wide and four miles long with not q
single street less than so feet wide and with acres
reserved at different points for parks and public
buildings, Washington saw nothing extravaganza
or ridiculous in the plan. Many Of his contem-
porarles did. For long period after WASH
lngtons death visitors to the capital city alter
nately smiled and mourned over plan which
had resulted in a str iggling village. and in
streets which were bordered by dreary COM
mons instead OF habitations. The White House,
it was said, was
ON A TOO EXTENSIVE SCALE,
and the capitol was considered to be such an
immense building that the original plan to
erect building for the Judiciary was sban-
doned, and the Supreme Court was given &C.
commodation there. Washington issued build
ing regulations for the new city, which at first
prohibited the erection of frame buildings. He
was anxious that the building lots should be
sold to individuals who would improve them,
and not in large blocks for speculative pur-
poses. But before the work had reached this
stage Washington had given much time and
thought to the new city. For six or seven
years prior to 1890, the year when the act was
passed authorizing the location Of the seat of
government on the banks Of the Potomac, Con-
gress had been debating and considering the
question of a location. Sites on the Delaware,
on the Susquehanna, at Annapolis, Baltimore,
and even in New York state, had found advo-
Gates in Congress-. Bill after bill was
he The and u04 Gns Sss"es .rrsyss
against the south, and finally compromise
was reached and the Potomac site was chosen.
As If glad to be rid Of a troublesome matter
Congress threw the greater part of the response
bility. upon President Washington. He was
directed to select a site not less than ten miles
square, on the eastern shore Of the Potomac,
between the Eastern Branch and point eighty
miles north. 1t is not known that Washington
had taken any part in the contest which had
been waged so many years in Congress over
the choice of location.
INSPECTING THE COUNTRY.
But as soon as the bill was passed he entered
upon the discharge of his duties with alacrity.
Although familiar with the country having
traversed the entire length of the Potomac in
the interests of the Potomac Improvement COM
pany, he went over the ground again, and there
Is tradition OF his having visited Williamsport
Md, which is near the Conogocheaugue, pro-
nounced Conogochig, the northern limit named
In the bill. However. he selected the plain
lying between the Eastern branch and Rock
creek, and in company with L'Enfant he made
a careful inspection OF the ground with the
view of laying out the plan Of the city. He had
a number of conferences with the proprietors OF
the land at Suffers tavern in Georgetown.
THE AGREEMENT WITH THE LANDHoLDERs.
The result of these negotiations was an
nounced on the Sd of March, 1871. by Wash
ington in a letter to Jefferson, as follows:
1.-THE terms entered into by me, on the part
of the United States, with the landholders of
Georgetown and Carrollsburg are that all the
land from Rock creek along the river to the East
ern branch, and SO upward to or above the ferry,
including breadth of about mile and half
the whole containing from 5000 to 5000 acres,
is coded to the public on condition that when
the whole is laid off as city (which Major
L 'Enfant is directed to do) the present pro-
prietors shall retain every other lot, and for
such parts of the land as may be taken for pub
lie use for squares, walks, DC, they shall be
allowed at the rate of EOS acre Tin Maryland
money 662s dollars). Nothing is to be allowed
for the ground which may be occupied for
streets and alleys"
MIR. Jefferson replied: THE acquisition of
ground at Georgetown is really noble, consid-
nrtr, hat <,v,1xy
any grounds taken for the public, and the
streets not to be counted. which will, in fact.
reduce it to about f19 an acre. think very
liberal reserves should be made for the pub
lic."
THE FIRST COMMISSIONERS.
The law authorizing the location of a new
city did not appropriate penny to enable the
President to carry out the provisions of the
bill. The President was empowered to appoint
a board of three commissioners to have charge
OF the work, and Congress directed that public
buildings be erected for the accommodation of
Congress and the executive departments, and
that the seat OF government should be removed
to the new city in the year 1900. Washington
appointed as members of the board of commits
sloners Gen. Thomas johnson, who was an init
mate friend and comrade during the Revolu-
honary war; Daniel Carroll, member of the
famous Maryland family of that name, and DIR.
Stuart, a practicing physician residing at Alex
andria. As there was no money available ex-
cept the donations Of the states Of MARYLAND
and Virginia, Washington was anxious that the
sale OF lots, providing the only other source of
revenue, should begin as soon as possible
l. Enfant was directed to hasten the prepara-
ton OF his map, and had made good progress
when he became involved in quarrel with the
commissioners L'Enfant had a rather quick
temper, and as Washington explained in a
letter to the commissioners, dated November
20, 1871, 'AIen who possess talents which fl