New-York tribune., 1909-04-29
TRIBUTES TO L'ENFANT
Body Buried at arlington after Ser
uices IN Capitol.

Washington April pa notable tribute was paid
to-day the memory of Major Pierre Charles
L'Enfant. who, under the direction and authority
of George Washington, planned the capital when
the body of that officer buried at Arlington.
after having lain for more than eighty years In a
comparatively unknown grave at Reed Hill. Nc
The principal ceremony held in the ro-
tunda OF the Capitol this morning in the presence
Of President and Mrs. Taft, Vice-President Sher-
man. Ambassador Jusserand, the members OF the
Supreme Court and Of the Senate and House, and
a great number of prominent officials The comm
draped in an American flag. surrounded by
guard of honor. composed of sergeants Of the
United States Engineer Corps
After addresses by the Vice-Presdent. Ambas-
sador Jusserand and Henry B. F. Macfarland. one
of the District of Columbia commissioners, the
coffin borne waiting caisson and earned
with military honors Arlington. distinguished
escort followed. At the cemetery the ceremonies
were simple Three volleys were fired by troopers
of the 18th Cavalry, bugler sounded ''Taps ana
the burial service read by the Rev william
T Russell, of St. Patrick's Church. About the
grave were a number Of government ofhcials ana
heads of various patriotic and engineering So
ceties.
Although the government has delayed for almost
a century bestowing honors Major l. Entanf
the tribute to-day as eloquent as the most
patriotic citizens could desire and the work of
the Frenchman was recalled as though II hdu peeh
performed only yesterday.
ce-President Sherman said L Enfant served
America with distinguished bravery in arms ana
rare ability and masterfu genius in civil life
The young lieutenant engineer came to AInerica
In 1777" Mr.. Sherman added and his profered
services we're accepted by Washington Al the
battle of Savannah the young officers bravery III
action was conspicuously displayed in ald OF tre
Colonial cause Here he wounded ana capt
t1red Later he was paroled and thereafter eA'
changed from which time he continued in our mill
tary service
The Vfce-President 81 d there was no reason 10
doubt that LEnfants mind evolved the genera
plan Of the present city of Washington anu lie
spoke Of his genius as exceptional
Ambassador Jusserand called attention 10 the
primitive condition the land on which the lutuIe
capital of the nation to be erected, ana 10 Iie
great transformation which had taken place IN
little more than century and said that the VIII
of Congress the choice made by the great man
whose name the city to bear, the talents OF d
French officer the whose memory was pelhs
commemorated to-day, caused the change
For Major I,Enfant the planning OF the city OF
Washington was work of love. A mere glance
at that work" the ambassador said showed that
the officer had decided not TO work for nation CT
thirteen states but for one of fifty The streets
were unexampled anywhere: gardens, parks, foun-
tains statues to famous men-aN were devised IN
view OF a great and powerful nation, the nation OF
to-day Enfant. he declared, had toreseen pres
ent greatness in all its aspects. even the last &C
ouired one the one of which the American nation
is so Justly proud her navy"