Evening star., 1897-02-02
PLANNED THE CAPITAL CITY
70 Whom Shall Monument b
ErecteN
The Rival Claims Of Two Famous En-
gineers - The Work of MAI.
L'Enfant and Of Mai. Ellicott.


If 1t is proposed by our national govern
ment to perpetuate in marble or bronze the
memory Of great and good men, whose
services to their country have made them
deserving Of such recognition. any light
which may be thrown upon the work and
character of these will doubtless be ac-
ceptabie to both Congress and the people.
Regarding the life and services of Major
l. 'Enfant 1 would like to make brief
statement of facts corroborating the one
contained In The Evening Star Of January
y. In reference to this subject. Under the
direction of the three Commissioners, pro-
vided for by act July 16, 170O Major Andrew
ElIicott commenced the establishment of
the District boundary by geodetic survey.
beginning for the same February IA, 1701.
at point near Alexandria. By and under
like authority Major L'Enfant was en-
ployed to prepare and submit to President
Washington and the Commissioners a plan
Tor the city. The plan devised by the lat
Ter was not entirely acceptable to Washing
Ton or the Commissioners. Unpleasant re
hections ensued. official relations ceased
and Mr.. Jefferson wrote: TT having been
round fmpracttcable to employ Major Len
fant about the federal city in that degree
of subordination which was lawful and
proper, he has been notified that his SER
vices are at an end Elicott Is to go on
and finish laying off the plan On the ground
and surveying and plating the District"
l quote the following from a communica-
ton made to the Seventh Congress, first
session. by Mr.. Dennis, chairman of House
committee to whom had been referred a
resolution of the House respecting the ad-
}ustment OF existing disputes between the
Commissioners and property holders:
your committee find that the plan of the
city was originally designed by Mr.. LEN
rant, but that 1t was in many respects re-
1ected by the President of the United
states, and plan drawn up by Mr. Eli
colt, purporting to have been made by
n t4t,
atioDs made therein and which WIS en-
graved and published by order of General
washington in the year 1892 This plan
was circulated by the government through
agents In Europe, hy author.-y of the gov
ernment. as the plan Of the city, and is the
oriy one which has oeen engraved and
pnbliShed. This is generally known by the
npEeLatlon or the engraved plan" Mr.
Poland. from the committee on Judiciary
Forty-thtrd Congress, first session, reIort
62I, says: "'fhe final plan of tthe city and
sress m ONE was subseansny by submitted TO Con
quent life of the two mea reveals the char
acter and usefulness Of each L'Erfan;'s
lie appears to have been utterly thrown
away. pensioner upon the bounty Of 9th
ers While Ellicott received a Succession
or honorable appointments at tn, hands of
Washington. Jefferson, Franklin aud
vorious states, too lengthy to enumerate in
this article. finally he was offered by Presi-
dent Jefferson the Office of SURVEYOR general
or the United States. and upon hi, Cleciin-
Ing this Mr.. Jefferson appointed him pro-
iessor OF mathematics at West Point, and
IN the performance of the duties Of this
office he died. A monument in the old
cemetery at West Point marks his resting
place In addition to beng the Distinguish
ed engineer. he was. although belonging to
the Society of Friends, his warm PATRIOTISM
was recognized by Governor Johnson of
Maryland. who commissioned him in ITS
major of the EIkridge Battalion Congress
hnny oclro
monument in this city, but, after submit
iing his various commissions and indorse~
ments from Washington, Jefferson, Frank
lin ana other great patriots and statesmen
q modest request was made to the honora-
bile Commissioners that in recognition of
MS services to this city and to- the United
States Major Andrew Ellicott should have
In layins out new portions of the District
@ eo,s Pic uous street, avenue or square
iiahieu iof hlm- s. K. H.
Credit to L'Enfant.
To the Editor Of The Evening Star:
The Introduction of bill to appropriate
SJooo for monument to L'Enfant is at
last proper recognition Of the talented
Frenchman," as Mai. Ellfcott styled him.
although he was his rival and successor,
and who himself appears to have gained
more credit than vas due him, for the
plans of this beautiful city
Your correspondent w. c. D.. in The
Evering Star of the 2Sth inst. gives little
reputation to the sensitive young French
man. and while he mentors all that can
be said against him On the score of IRA sci-
Die temperament (often a characteristic OF
genfus), the fact remains that his plans
were accepted by Congress, approved by
the persons then in power. and recorded
historically by Winterbotham In his his
tory Of the United States as follows: "Ihe
plan OF the city, agreeable to the direc-
tion OF the President of the United States.
was designed and drawn by the celebrated
NAL l. 'Enfant, and is an inconceivable i'm
provement upon all Others containing not
only conveniences. regularity. elegance of
prospect. but everything grand and beau
a city, ETC."
1t is true L'Enfant was furnished with
plans OF all the great cities of Europe by
jefferson. who took active interest In
MS Ctheir) success. with full confidence
that they would be utilized by this bril-
ilant young engineer. Little credit Is given
L L'Enfant for ''conceiving the plan, by W.
&. D., and undue prominence is given to
faults, which should be a mere shadow In
the luster of his deeds which followed.
Your correspondent leaves not even a
memory OF the genius which planned this
beautiful city unlike all others. His faults
are made to appear the character of the
man. and quite defame the artist
That he should have been stung by the
bitterness of being displaced by Ellicott
Is not surprising, for he must have been
aware OF the possible glory awaiting him,
although coming too late; and when Con-
sress tardily appropriated the pittance
S6o 1t was refused by him, ne, accord
Ing to his measure of the man, artist and
gentleman, could not accept the slight as
well as the unappreciaton contained in the
gift. Not 80 I hope will be this Congress
or 1897, a century after, when his work
ana fame still attest his glory.
hope that the great men Of Congress
VIII see to 1t that the brilliant Maj. Len
rant Will receive the tribute due hfTn-if
q nf he
mutely but eloquently asserts his honor.
L. H. K
Sit Close.
To the Eltor Of The Evening Star:
In Philadelphfa the conductor NJ q ,+r.o.