Evening star., 1932-11-06

saw it few days ago, it looked very lonesome,
surrounded by woods and fields. 1t is neat
building, but shows the effect OF attempted
economy in the omission OF cupola or
steeple, to give it sort OF architectural dlg-
nity. OF course it is far more attractive than
some of the rented schools We old timers went
to- and still not SO beautiful as the Franklin
Building erected around the close of the Civil
War.
Nevertheless, it is very nice building, and
no doubt the people OF that part OF George
town will find it very convenient for their
children However just whether it is of that
type of school that would justify giving 1t
the name Benjamin Stoddert may be but
matter of opinion. Later on, when more pre-
tentious school building is erected In the West
End perhaps the name selected might be
transferred to the new building for really.
after ALL school bearing the name "Stoddert'
should be of the best, since this pioneer George
town merchant was held in very high esteem,
even by President Washington, who frequently
called upon him for advice and assistance In
the difficult task of negotiating with the orig
tnal proprietorS. in order to locate mere the
Nations Capital.
That Washington did seek his opinion and
help, would without any further information
about the man. stamp him as being a person
of character, wisdom and ability and worthy
of the high honor of being the Presidents
confidential agent in such great undertaking.
dence is clearly shown in letter dated Phlla-
delphia, February g. 1871, and addressed to
William Deakins, jr., and Benjamin Stoddert,
in which he says in part
"In asking your aid in the following case,
permit me- at the same time, to ask the most
perfect secrecy
THE Federal territory being located, the
competition for the location Of the town now
rests between the mouth of the Eastern Branch
and the lands on the river below and adjacent
to Georgetown. In favor of the former, nature
has furnished powerful advantages. In favor
Of the latter is its vicinity to Georgetown, which
puts it in the way of deriving aids from 1t in
the beginning and of communicating In return
an increased value to the property OF that town.
These advantages have been SO poised In my
mind as to give it different tendencies at dif-
ferent times. There lands which stand yet
In the way of the latter location and which, if
they could be obtained for the purposes of the
town. would remove a considerable obstacle TO
it and go near, indeed. to decide what has been
SO long on the balance with me.
"There are, first the lands on the southwest
side of a line to be run from where the road
crosses Goose Creek Tin going from George
town to the Eastern Branch to the corner OF
Beatty's lot including by the plat of Beatty
and Orme the house of William Pearce), or,
if the whole of this parcel cannot be obtained,
then, secondly SO much as would lie within
line to be run from the said ford, or there
abouts to the middle Of the line of cession
which extends from the corner OF Beatty's lot
as above mentioned to its termination IN Goose
Greek. Thirdly, the lands Of Mr. Carroll, be-
tween Goose Greek, the river and Mr.. Young's,
to the same ford Of the creek.
.The object Of this letter is to ask you to
endeavor to purchase these grounds OF the
owners for the public, particularly the second
parcel but as if for yourselves, and to conduct
your proposition as to excite no suspicion
that they are on behalf of the public
IT is also quite probable that Mr. Stoddert
] had the backing Of Gen. Washington for
the Office Of Secretary of the Navy, created
during the administration of John Adams and
to which he was appointed May 21, 1898, ana
continued to serve until March 81. 1901, when
he was succeeded by Robert Smith OF Mary%
land During the same period, he also served
as Secretary OF War for II days, in June, 1900.
Mr. Stoddert, for whom the school was
named was, according to one authority, born
In Bladensburg Md. while another says
Charles County Md. AS the date of his birth
Is given as 1851, and Bladensburg was In
Prince Georges County at that time, the plae-
ing of his birth in one of those places, must
manifestly be an error. However, the date.
175l is no doubt correct. for the inscription
ON his tomb tells us he was 81 years old at the
time Of his death in 1913. At that time, the
National Intelligencer had little to say on
the subject and then waited II days to express
Itself as follows:
DIED
~Very suddenly on Friday night last at his
seat in Bladensburg Benjamin Stoddert esq,
Q gentleman who has successfully filled various
stations of eminence in public life, among
which was that of Secretary Of the Navy dur
ing the administration of Mr.. Adams. He was
much respected and his loss will be mucn
Amented by his connections and friends"
Note the difference in the announcement In
the same paper, on october is, three years
earlier, of the death Of the Secretary's son