The Washington weekly post., 1900-12-18
wise due to the daring nature Of the pro-

wise due to the daring nature Of the pro-
ject itself
When the bands OF the British troops
marched out of Yorktown playing 'The
World Turned Upside Down." their music
truthfully portrayed the spirit Of the
times. They were not great battles, as
our ideas OF battles go to-day, that were
fought by Washington and his ragged and
Ofr-fimes hungry, but dauntless and pa
triotic followers. but in their revolution
AIRY and far-reaching consequences they
were the most stupendous in the history
Of the world. II was a time when old
customs, old modes of thought, old insti-
tutions, and old ideals were falling shat
tered on every side, and il was taken as
matter Of course when no existing city
seemed suitable for a capital, that the
young republic should build a city 10 its
liking.
Europe Jeered aud Critics Carped.
Europe was ready with her jibe and
sneer, and there were caTping ones at
home who whned and grumbled, but
the men who had given the world its
greatest bill of human rights, and with
the sword had made the world receive II,
We're not apt 10 be sWayed by such petty
chiding They knew that forests would
give way 10 the AK Of the forester; that
swamps and morasses and other obstacles
could be overcome, and they set them
selves 10 the task The Washington of
to-day I'm their enduring monument. The
Europe that sneered at the wilderness
capital OF the "bucolic republic" now
comes 10 admire and marvel az its beauty;
the city. for the founding Of which the
primeval forests were in places cut away,
has, In a hundred years. grown in mag
nidcence 20 be the pride and boast OF
Americans everywhere.
The Constitution had given Congress
exclusive control over a district ten miles
square, such as might be given to the
nation by the States for the seat of Fed
eral government The next task was to
locate this district There was a squabble
On the first Congress among advocates of
many different sites notably those along
the Delaware, Susquehanna, and Poto-
mac. once both House actually voted TO
locate the Capital at Germantown, Pa,
but reconsidered New England members
denounced the Potomac region as an un-
healthy swamp. The Southern members
won out. The POtOmas site was selected
In llg0 BY q majority of three votes in the
House and two In the Senate. Pennsyl-
Nu0!g was humored By a grant Of the
temporary capital for ten years Presi-
dent Washington was allowed 10 choose
any spot within abo.t 100 miles above the
junction 0f the Potomac and its eastern
branch. The father OF his country arrived
In Georgetown March 2S 1871. and the
next day. IA the three commissioners
he had appointed 20 govern the district.
together with two surveyors selected 10
lay 10 out. began 10 mark the bounds OF
the new city.
Mai. L'EnfaE,'s First Work.
one OF these surveyors was Mai. Pierre
Charles LEUrauJ a French engineer. He
drew a careful plan OF the future city OF
Washington This vas accepted by the
immortal George in 1871 Gen. Washing
ton was not hampered by Law in his gov
erumtut OF the District Of Columbia He
appointed his three commissioners.
Mtssrs johnson, Stewart, and Carroll.
without the ADVICE or consent OF the
Senate.
Another squabble had arisen over the
name 10 BE- given the new Capital City.
some wished 90 call Il "Washingtonople. %
Tl. commissioners christened u the "City
o. Washington" An English letter writer
thtIeuBuu accused President Washington
o. vanity. las soon as he is defunct." said
this eriIc, "the city. which Is to be the
bJasled monument of his greatness. vii.
also De- defuuct"
The sixth Congress adjourned in Phila-
deipAia May u. isl4, having directed that
second session begin In Washington
November ~, 81 the same year. The ex-
ecuiiyc and Judicial departments there
upon began preparations Tor a general
moving.
President Adams left the Executive
Mansion at Seventh and High streets.
Philadelphia May q. 1850. within tive
weeks after Congress adjourned. and
made temporary trip 10 the new Capt.
ial He Travelled In his private carriage BY
way Of Lancaster Pa and Frederick.
Ad. daily stage, leaving Philadelphia
al =. IA, bumped and splashed over q