Evening star., 1950-01-01

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now is approaching completion.
Daniel Carroll of Duddington and it
is here that the Capitol is being
erected.
During this same month, Gen. Wash
ington went to Georgetown again to
attempt an agreement among the vari-
wanted for the Federal City. On the
first evening there. the Mayor and
corporation of the town were hosts to
the President at dinner in Suffers
Tavern.
It was apparent to the President
that the landholders of the George
Town and Hamburger area and those Of
Carrollsburgh were seriously at odds.
Each wanted the future public build
ings to be erected in its region. Those
with holdings between the two formed
a third group. g..
George Town Social Center.
The President called meeting the
next afternoon at the tavern, Mr..
Suffers Fountain Inn. It was the social
center of George Town at the time.
but unusual interest attached to this
gathering of the proprietors.
The day after General Washipgton's
meeting with them, the proprietors
decided to accede to his wishes and
enter into an agreement with the Gov
ernment. The agreement was con.
cluded that day at the tavern. 1t
provided that the proprietors would
convey to the Government without
compensation such portions OF their
holdings as might be desired for streets,
parks and other public reservations.
It also was agreed that whatever
land was required for public buildings
or other public improvements would
be sold to the Government at rate
Of rs pounds per acre. The remaining
lands were to be laid out in lots and
apportioned equally between the pro-
prietors and the Government.
The Commissioners and the Presi-
dent had increasing difficulties with
Major L'Enfant in the autumn of 1791.
General Washington finally dismissed
Major L'Enfant, the French engineer.
in February. 1892. Mr.. Ellicott carried
forward the planning of the city.
The first auction Of lots took place
on October IT.. 1791. at the Fountain
Inn. BY the end of the day, only IS
lots had been spoken for, and the total
realized was a mere $8,756. The selling
prices ranged from $l62 to 1894.
| One-Log Bridge.
There was no immediate Develop
ment Of the city. When the President
journeyed from George Town to Jen-.
kins Hill in 1893 to dedicate the Cap
itol. his party was obliged to cross the
| Tiber Greek by rude bridge consisting
Of one log and number Of rocks. :.
We Of Philadelphia can recall the
extravagant advertisements which ap-
peared in the local journals and, for
that matter. still are displayed from
time to time-how the lots at Green
leafs Point were described as the most
airy and beautiful; how the properties
bordering the Eastern Branch were
extolled over those of George Town
for their commercial possibilities be-
cause Of the freedom from ice enjoyed
by the lesser stream: how George
Town claimed superiority because Of
its ready access to commerce.
One of Mr.. Carroll's old tobacco
warehouses now serves as the meeting
place of Christ Church. the only place
Of worship near the Capitol.
i With the arrival Of the Government
in Washington approaching, several
prominent citizens have INDUCED in
speculation as to what form the Gov
ernment of the Federal territory will
take eventually.
| Expect Voice in Government.
There has been no intimation. how
ever, that residents Of the Federal City
will have less Of voice in their own
affairs than has been the case under
the laws OF Virginia and Maryland.
There seems little purpose to idle
speculation to the contrary. As Mr..
Madison pointed out in his writings in
the Federalist:
'"The extent of this Federal district
every jealousy of an opposite nature.
And as it is to be appropriated to this
use with the consent of the State
ceding it; as the State will no doubt
provide in the compact for the rights
and the consent of the citizens inhab-
ting it; as the inhabitants will find
sufficient inducements of interest to
become willing parties to the cession:
as they will have had their voice in
the election Of the Government which
is to exercise authority over them; as
municipal legislature for local pur-
poses derived from their own suffrages
will, of course, be allowed them; and
as the authority of the legislature of
the ceded part of it to concur in the
cession will be derived from the whole
people of the State in their adoption
Of the Constitution, every imaginable
objection seems to be obviated."
Shops Poorly Provided.
The members of the Congress will
find their general situation in the Fed
eral City inadequate, it is to be feared,
although there are number Of attrac-
tive vistas. Among these is the large
stand of tulip poplars on the low land
Of the city, as viewed from the heights
Of Georgetown.
The shops Of Washington are poorly
provided. and 1t would not seem condi.
tions will improve substantially by
December.
AS a Federal City. Washington ap-
pears far more worthy on the maps
Of Major L'Enfant and Mr.. Ellicott than
1t does in fact. Many consider the
plans far beyond accomplishment, even
over q period Of many years.
,rary description of Washington in