Evening star., 1897-01-28
The PrCp0red Monument to L'Enfant.
To the Editor of The Evening Star:

inc frCpOHeO 10 En1dnt
To the Editor of The Evening Star:
notice that bill has been introduced
to appropriate $4,000 to build monument
to LEnfant. This, I presume. is on ac-
count of his connection with the plan of
the city 1 doubt very much whether he
is entitled to the sole credit of the magnifi
cent plan on which the national capital was
laid out.
From the scant records that exist 1t ap-
pears that Jefferson had much to do with
this matter. as 1t is recorded that while
in Europe he procured and sent L'Enfant
maps Of the principal cities of France
Holland and Germany. and said that he
preferred the plan of Babylon, which was
then In Philadelphia.
LEnfant made the first plat. but owing
to differences between him and the COM
| missioners appointed by Washington. and
also with the citizens, he was relieved. and
the work was placed in charge Of Andrew
Elicott, who completed it.
The plan as prepared by L'Enfant was
not approved or adopted by the comms-
siOnerS or by Washington. who, in speak
| ing of the incorrect map of the city first
published. said: THAT many alterations
| have been made from LEnfant's plan by
Major Ellicott. with the appreciation Of the
executive is Tot denied: that some were
essential is avowed, and had 1T not been
| for the materials which he happened to
possess it Is probable that no engraving
l. u
| been exhibited to the public, for after the
| disagreement took place between him and
| the commissioners his obstinacy- threw
! every difficulty in the way Of Its accom-
pliShment.
| He may have conceived the idea of the
| general plan, but there is no certainty of
| even that He was selected by Washington
| to do the work of preparing the plan. but
| there Is every reason to believe that the
plan was made upon consultation with
| Washington and Jefferson, If not upon
| their suggestion, as it is we'll known that
| both of them took special interest in the
| II after.
LEnfant appears to have been very
| dictatorial and obstinate man. This Is
| shown not only by his refusal to heed the
| advice of the commissioners and Of Wash
| ington, but also by his arbitrary conduct
| IN sending a gang of men TO tear down a
| brick building erected by the CAROLS near
the Capitol. because it stood where 1t would
| Interfere with his plan.
|. For this he was severely censured by
| Washington, who wrote him from Mount
| Vernon, reminding him that he, as well
rs others. were subordinate to the laws OF
| the land.
When he was dismissed by the President
| because of his obstinacy and refusal to
heed the advice of his employers there
| was a balance of $666.68 due him on his
salary. and when subsequently Congress
! appropriated the amount, with interest
| amounting in all to 81. 1920, he refused to
| receive IT!
So, too, when President Monroe appoint
| ed him professor Of engineering at West
| Point, he returned the commission, in.
| dorsed, mot accepted. but not refused
| I fail to see in his character and conduct
anything deserving of commentator, and
still less a monument.
In the raising of monuments 1t seems te
me that some regard should be had to the
| character of those whose memory 1t Is
designed to perpetuate as an example fol
future generations. I would thousand
times rather see that amount of money and
much more appropriated for q monumen,
here at the national capital to the author
of the 'Star Spangled Banner" That, like
the Washington monument. would be ar
inspiration Of patriotism for all time tt
come and there Is no place SO appropriatt II
| for 1t as the national capital. w. c. D.