Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-07-04

was a man of simple taste. and was
frequently quoted as protesting
against the luxury and elegance OF
life in Philadelphia as unbecoming a
republican form OF government. JUS
tice Chase passed IL years in the new
capital. living simply on Capitol Hill.
in what was called a Congressional
Mess" There Is no recorded criticism
Of his of the Capital City, and in this
he stands out luminously among the
public servants Of his era.
Robert Morris, the financier Of the
Revolution, had an intimate but pain
full association with Washington.
Against the advice Of his wise and
prudent friend, the first President, he
specialized so wildly in the real estate
In the new city that he involved his
entire fortune and suffered the humili-
alton Of the debtors prison. But
nevertheless this signer was an i'm
portant factor in Washington's ma
terial development. He had splendid
dreams Of it's commercial destiny, and
| he saw the banks OF the Anacostia
River and the Potomac in its north
east course lined with warehouses,
and galleons sailing laden with grain
and tobacco and returning from dis
tant ports filled with potential for
tunes. Robert Morris, with Gouver-
| neur Morris. his frequent business
| associate, in the early 1790s. had
| fitted out a fleet of ships which made
| the port of Canton, China, the very
| first to anchor in that venerable har-
Dor flying the American flag. This
had proven a profitable venture, and
Morris was persuaded that the city on
the Potomac could be made one or the
! great ports of the world. But 1t was
not the wish of Washington, its found.
err. that the National Capital should
| ever be commercial. but that 1t re-
main as it is today. quiet, lovely,
leisurely city, with political activities
alone.
! Sons and other relatives OF the
! signers Of the Declaration have ng'
ured conspicuously In local history.
Richard Rush son of Benjamin, the
signer. was Attorney General under
| Madison. and lived in a handsome
brick house on Fl street above Seven
teenth northwest He was afterward
Monroes Minister to Great Britain,
, and Andrew Jackson used his knowl-
/ edge and experience Of the court OF
! st, James for the strenuous task OF
compelling the British government to
| pay in gold the legacy bequeathed by
James Smithson, founder of the
Smithsonian Institution. Oliver VOL
colt. I'd, Secretary of the Treasury for
; two years under Washington, remain
ed under Adams until his resigna
| ton was asked by that magistrate for
his participation in the conspiracy
with Hamilton, Pickering and Nc
Henry Caesar Rodney, son of the
signer Of the same name from Della
ware, was Jefferson's Attorney Gen
| eral and served James Madison FOR
two years in the same capacity. John
Rutledge of South Carolina, Chief Jus
tice of the Supreme Court Of the
United States, was the brother of Ed
ward Rutledge, the. signer, from South
Carolina, and Gouverneur Morris
Senator from New York for the first
six years of the National Capitals
| existence, was the brother of Lewis
Morris, the signer. Charles Lee, the
capable Attorney General in Wash
ington's cabinet from 1875 to 1897
was the cousin of Richard Henry Lee
and Francis Lightfoot Lee, signers
from Virginia. and brother of Gen
Harry Lightfoot Lee, the gallant
Revolutionary leader. Charles Lee
was in the cabinet of, John Adams ir
1900 and 1901, and with Joseph Ha
bersham of Georgia, Postmaster Gen
eral, and Benjamin Stoddert Of
Georgetown. first Secretary of the
Navy, he shares the honor of being
the only loyal officials in the cabinet
of the eminent signer OF the Declare
! ton from NaSaach usetts. John Adams