The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-12-02
THE CAPITALS GROWTH
vicissitudes Attending Its Career
Throughout a Century.
Spring ing In From a Wflderncss-its
Capture by the British-Days When
the Presidents House Wns Call
ed a Palace-Early Efforts to Re-
move the Seat of Government.

The city OF Washington will celebrate
the one hundredth anniversary of its es-
Establishment as permanent seat oil the
Government of the United States on De-
cember IL next An event like this does
not fall to the lot of every generation to
celebrate. and with laudable enthusiasm
and due patriotism Congress has passed
suitable measures to fittingly celebrate
the historical event. A committee COM
posed of representative men from all
parts of the country has been making
prep; rations for months to make the oc-
casion one long to be remembered and
worthy of its import. They have WORKED
hard and faithfully, and with the gener-
Gus financial assistance received from the
people of this city, have been enabled
to prepare a programme which Will 10
homer to the committee and to every per-
son that has contributed to its success.
The Centennial anniversary has re-
awakened a widespread popular interest
in the early history of the city and its
surroundings. and a snort sketch Of its
existence and origin will interest many
people, not only in this vicinity. but
throughout the country.
The ground upon which today stands
the city of Washington. the Capital OF
the American Nation, a little over hun
dred years ago was not much better than
q complete wilderness. The marvellous
growth of one of the most magnificent
cities of the world within the compare
lively short space of 100 years is char
acteristically American, and its history
at this time is assuredly not without pub
lie interest.
The first attempt 10 explore the Chesa-
peake and its tributaries was made In loVs,
by Capt. John Smith, from the jamestown
settlement. He speaks of the "Patawo-
meke" as six or seven miles in breadth,
and nayigable lao miles. The Indian name
was Cohonguroton, or River OF swans.
The shores of the great bay and river had
q large aboriginal population, not less than
forty tribes, members of the numerous
and warlike Algonquin family, who lived
BY fishing, the cultivation of maize, and
warning upon their neighbors. the point
of the tongue OF land now occrpied by
the Arsenal was the seat OF the council
IRE. The Manahoacks occupied the lands
between the rivers but about 1863. after
severe war with the Powhatans, we're
overcome, and fled to the West, where they
Joined the Tuscoraras.
In 1894 Henry Fleet, with party oil
Calvert-s settlers. visited the falls OF the
Potomac In 1863, tract of land 400
acres. called Room tRome), was laid out
fo- Francis Pope, gentleman. on the east
side of the Anacostia River, and TO the
mouth Of the Tiher. Another tract, OF 5oe
acres. for Capt Robert Troop, caller Scot
land Yard was laid out adjoining on the
same date The lands OF the western por-
tion of the city. called THE widows
Mite" 600 acres. were laid out in 1851.
for William Langworth. All were in
Charles county Province of Maryland.
In 17eO-'9l. Daniel Carroll owned the
lands of the Anacostia, Motley Young N
the forks Of the river and to the north
ward. ard David Burns on the west, to-
ward Georgetown. On the bank of the
river. east of the Observatory, was set
Element called Hamburg previously called
Funkstown. On the Anacostia, SNORT
distance above the Arsenal, was CAROLS
burg. TIE arabic lands were titled, and
produced wheat, tobacco, and maize.
Selection of the Site.
On April 30, 1888. nineteen days after
the proclamation of cessation OF hostiii-
ties between the British Colonies in North
America and the mother country, the sub
feet of q permanent Capital for the Gen
eral Government OF the United States OF
America was incidentally alluded to in
Congress. In March, 1888. the Legisla-
ture of New York offered to cede the town
ing. Shortly after Maryland rendered An
napolis for the same purpose; also $780,
600 in money provided the town was Sc
lected.
A proposition by a prominent gentle
man was the loca tion of the Capital, for q
term Of thirteen years, at some OF the
growing Western settlements, such as De-
troit, Louisville. Kaskaskia, st. Vincents,
and Sandusky, stating that IAN amazing
1a1 80 hot linn nrI "a '
territory that it would accelerate the
rapidity of its settlement and population
and at about u cents an acre would ex-
tinguish International debt; that Congress
should assume plenary jurisdiction over a
compass of twenty miles square; should
form q Government ION the most perfect
plan of modern refinement" in place OF
certificates should award the lands in the
vicinity Ito those brave officers and mer
who served in the late glorious war.
These, Spartan-like. IL was expected
against the natives" or any other dan
gers. Williamsburg, the old capital OF
Virginia. was offered at the same time.
On October 6. 1883, Congress voted upon
the selection of a State, as they existed at
the time, beginning with New Hampshire
and proceeding In order southwark. New
Jersey and Maryland received the highest
number of votes, but no choice was made.
The next day, on a resolution by Elbridge
Gerry. the location of the Federal City
was voted on or near the falls of the Del
aware, near Trenton, and committee OF
five Was appointed to examine the locality
and report. On October 81 following, the
erection of buildings was authorized at OF
near the lower falls of the Potomac OF
Georgetown, and a committee was ap-
pointed to examine and report on that
site. Two localities were now provided
for, and meanwhile Congress was to meet
alternately at Trenton and Annapolis
The Inconvenience of two capitals was
soon demonstrated. The Delaware COM
mittee reported favorably, and that for
the Potomac unfavorably on that location.
though they thought better OF site above
Georgetown. or one and oue-half miles be-
low. at Funkstown. On December 90, 1884.
II was decided inexpedient TO erect build
ings at more than one place. On Deem
Der 3D. three Commissioners were appoint
ed to lay out a district OF not less than
two nor more than three miles square, on
either side of the Delaware. within eight
miles above or below the falls. The Com
missioners appointed for this purpose
were: 1924 Thomas Johnson MARYLAND.
l7Sl-'95 DAME, Carroll. Maryland: 1871 "a
David Stuart, Virginia; 1794-1S00 Gustavus
Scott. Maryland: 17s4-'0z William Thorn
ton. Pennsylvania; 1892 Alexander
White. Maryland: 1900 William Crancb
Maryland: 10000 Tristram Dalton. Ma
rylsnd.
The Constitution OF the United States.
1877. gave Congress the power ito eyer-
else exclusive legislation in all cases
whatsoever over such district not exceed
ing ten miles square. as may, by cession
OF particular States and the acceptance of
Congress. become the seat of the Govern
ment Of the United States" Article /,
section 8.