Keim's Illustrated Hand -Book. 
 
 Washington and its Environs: 
 
 A 
 
 DESCRIPTIVE AND HISTORICAL HAND-BOOK 
 
 TO TH¥ 
 
 CAPITAL OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 
 
 BY DeB. RANDOLPH KEIM, 
 Washington Correspondent, 
 author or " sheridan's troopers on the borders," and "sketches 
 
 OF SAN DOMINGO.*' 
 
 REVISED ANNUALLY. 
 
 EIGHTH EDITION— Corrected to January, 1876. 
 
 WASHINGTON CITY: 
 FOR THE COMPILER. 
 1876. 
 
Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1876, 
 BY PbB. RANDOLPH KEIM, 
 In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington. 
 
 NOTICE.— -The compiler cautions all persons against infringement of copy- 
 right of any of his publications, whether in maps, diagrams, illustrations, where 
 originals, or in the material, or arrangement. Any such infringement will be rigor- 
 ously prosecuted under the copyright law. 
 
 B. F. OWEN, 
 PRINTER, 
 READING, PA. 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 [See Alphabetical Index at the end of the Hand-book.] 
 
 Page. 
 
 Preface V 
 
 General Information vii 
 
 Hotels, vii— Lodgings, vii— Boarding, viii — Restaurants, viii — 
 Railroads, viii — Steamers, ix— Street Cars, ix — Vehicles for 
 hire, xii— City Post Office, xii— Mails, xii — Rates of Postage, 
 xiii— Telegraph Offices, xiii — Churches, xiii— Theatres, xiv — 
 General Amusements, xiv— Etiquette, Ceremonies, and For- 
 malities, xiv — Distances from Washington, xix — Foreign Dis- 
 
 tances, xix— Differences of Time, xx. 
 
 Section I. 
 
 Washington and the District of Columbia 1 
 
 Washington, 1 — District of Columbia, 5. 
 
 Section II. 
 Description of the City 15 
 
 Avenues, Squares, Statues, &c. 
 
 Section III. 
 Public Buildings and Grounds 55 
 
 Historical Retrospect, 55— Capitol, 56— History of Congress, 
 118— President's House, 121— Department of State, 128— Treas- 
 ury Department, 131— War Department, 136— Navy Depart- 
 ment, 140— Department of the Interior, 142— Patent Office, 
 145— General Post Office, 151— Department of Justice, 154 — 
 Department of Agriculture, 156— Naval Observatory, 163— 
 Army Medical Musuem, 166— Government Printing Office, 
 168— Winder's Building, 170— City Hall, 171— Arsenal, 172— 
 Navy-Yard, 174 — Marine Barracks, 176 — Magazines, 177. 
 
 Section IV. 
 w^aces of General Interest 178 
 
 Smithsonian Institution, 178— Corcoran Gallery of Art, 189 — 
 Washington National Monument, 192-Armory, 196--Churches, 
 197 -Halls, 198— Newspaper Offices, 199— Public Schools, 201— 
 A.sylnm9, 202— Cemeteries, 205 — District Government, 207— 
 Markets, 209— Places of Historical Interest, 210. 
 
iv 
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 Section V. 
 The Environs of Washington 211 
 
 Section VI. 
 
 History of Washington 234 
 
 Index 244 
 
 Abbreviations. 
 
 N., S., E., W., north, northern, northward, south, &c, 
 east, &c, west., &c. ; m., mile ; sq. m., square mile ; lbs., 
 pounds; r., right; 1., left; hr., hour; min., minute; yr., 
 year; a., acres; av., avenue; st., street; yds., yards. 
 
PEEFACB. 
 
 The necessity of a reliable and complete Descriptive 
 and Historical Hand-book to the Capital of the 
 United States has long been felt. Warden's Geographical 
 and Statistical Description of the District of Columbia, pub- 
 lished in Paris in 1816, and the several editions of the Guides 
 compiled by William Elliott, 1826 and 1830, and George Wat- 
 terson, 1848, are really the only ones which possess the merit 
 of original research. The productions of a similar character 
 published since 1848, and especially the later ones, have been 
 crude and imperfect, impositions in character and price, and 
 noticeable only as containing the smallest amount of informa- 
 tion for the largest amount of money. 
 
 The compiler of the present work hopes to avoid these 
 objections at least, and to give to the public a Hand-book 
 of attractive and useful descriptive information about all 
 places of interest in and around Washington, and at the 
 same time to supply some appropriate historical data which 
 may be valuable to carry away as a souvenir of a visit to the 
 Seat of Government. 
 
 In the preparation of the historical portions of the HAND- 
 BOOK to Washington and its Environs, original author- 
 ities only have been examined, including the manuscript rec- 
 ords, correspondence, and proceedings of the Commissioners 
 charged with the superintendence of the building of the city, 
 1791-1800 ; the correspondence of George Washington, Thom- 
 as Jefferson, and others on the same subject; the Statutes at 
 Large ; official documents, from the establishment of the per- 
 manent Seat of Government down to the present time; besides 
 the writings of travelers and public men and files of news- 
 papers. 
 
 [Respecting the descriptive features, all points of interest 
 in the city and surroundings, still in existence, have been 
 personally visited and inspected. 
 
 It is hoped, therefore, that the Hand-book will prove not 
 only an invaluable companion on the spot, but an ever-wel- 
 come and entertaining friend for future perusal and refer- 
 ence at the home fireside. 
 
 The compiler is under obligations to many of the officers 
 (v) 
 
vi 
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 of the Government; and while desiring to recognize their 
 kindness, finds it difficult to make distinctions by individuals : 
 he therefore thanks them all. 
 
 The general information has been compiled with special 
 reference to the necessities of the stranger in the city, and, 
 in connection with other useful matter, will be found to con- 
 tain trustworthy intelligence respecting railways, hotels, 
 churches, theatres, &c. The code of Etiquette in Washing- 
 ton and Street-car Directory will be found particularly con- 
 venient and valuable. 
 
 The remaining features of the Hand-book will appear as 
 the reader familiarizes himself with its contents. 
 
 In a city like the capital of such a constantly expanding 
 Republic as the United States of America there are never- 
 ending changes. To keep pace with these, it is the intention 
 to annually revise and augment the Hand-book to Wash- 
 ington and its Envibons, so as to keep it at all times cor- 
 rected to the latest period. 
 
 The compiler does not presume that the Hand-book is 
 faultless ; but to approximate such a degree of completeness, 
 as far as practicable, will constantly be his endeavor. He 
 will therefore be grateful for any errors or omissions pointed 
 out or corrections suggested. These may be communicated 
 by letter. 
 
 DeB. R. K. 
 
 Washington, D. C, 3874. 
 
GENERAL INFORMATION. 
 
 HOSE who are influenced by a desire to visit the 
 National Capital, when most attractive in point 
 '*)WtP- °^ Deau ^y °* mature and art, and without reference 
 to the fashionable and congressional season, should 
 . *3fttl arrive in May or June, or October or November. 
 
 P The hottest months are July and August. The 
 winters, on the other hand, are generally mild and beautiful. 
 The health of the city at all seasons is unexceptionable. For 
 official and social seasons see Etiquette, 
 
 Hotels. — The National Capital has a number of hotels, 
 some of which will compare favorably with the best in the 
 country. They are all located upon or conveniently acces- 
 sible to the different lines of street cars connecting the Ex- 
 ecutive Departments with the Capitol and western and east- 
 ern portions of the city. The following are the principal 
 hotels and charges per day : The Arlington, Vermont av., 
 near H st. N., $5; Ebbitt, F st., corner of 14th st. W., $4 00; 
 Willards\ Pennsylvania av., corner of 14th st. W., $4 50; 
 Metropolitan, Pennsylvania av., between Gth and 7th sts. W., 
 $4; Imperial, E st. N., between 13th and 14th sts. W., $4; 
 and National, Pennsylvania av., corner of -Gth st. W., $4. 
 The hotels on the European plan are the St. James, Penn- 
 sylvania av., corner of 6th st. W., single rooms, one person, 
 $1 to $2 ; double rooms, two persons, $2 to $6 ; the latter in- 
 cludes parlor and bed-room; restaurant attached; and St. 
 Marc, Pennsylvania av., near 7th st. W., single rooms $1 to 
 $2, double $2 to $3; restaurant attached. There are also 
 other hotels on the American and European plans suited to 
 all classes of persons, and at lower rates. 
 
 Lodgings. — Persons desiring to pass some time in Wash- 
 ington, and desirous of living retired, can find excellent lodg- 
 ings in the vicinity of all the hotels, and in different parts of 
 the city. The large transient population of the city has cre- 
 ated an unusual demand for this style of accommodations, 
 and every grade, from elegant suites down to unpretending 
 single apartments, may be found. The rates for rooms 
 
 (vii) 
 
viii 
 
 GENERAL INFORMATION. 
 
 would range from $25 for single rooms to $100 and upwards 
 a month for suites. Persons remaining less than a month 
 can also be supplied with quarters. 
 
 Boarding, — Many houses in which lodgings can be secured 
 also provide daity board, ranging from $25 to $35 a month for 
 each person. The hotels also accommodate outside boarders 
 at $45 a month for each person. 
 
 Restaurants. — A number of excellent restaurants can be 
 found in all the business portions of the city. Frequently 
 persons find it more convenient to have lodgings and take 
 their meals nearest where they may happen to be at the 
 hour of dining. The charges at restaurants are about the 
 same as at hotels or boarding-houses, according to grade. 
 There are several excellent restaurants equal in appoint- 
 ments to any in the large cities of the North. Cuisine 
 excellent. 
 
 Eailroads. — (See Table of Distances.) — Persons departing 
 from Washington have a choice of several routes. 
 
 North, East, and West.— Baltimore and Ohio 
 Eailroad — Depot NE. corner of New Jersey av. and C st. 
 NW., may be reached by the blue cars on Pennsylvania av. 
 and the F-st. cars. Ticket Offices, 485 Pennsylvania av. and 
 the Depot. 
 
 North, East, and West.— Baltimore and Potomac 
 Eailroad — Depot SW. corner of B and 6th sts. NW., may 
 be reached by" street cars on 9th st., and within one square 
 on Pennsylvania av. Ticket Offices, 13th and 6th sts. and 
 Pennsylvania av. and Depot. 
 
 South and Southwest. — Southern trains leave from 
 the Baltimore and Potomac Depot. Travellers may also 
 leave Washington by the Potomac Ferry Company, at 
 the foot of 7th st. W., and take trains at the corner of King 
 and Union sts., Alexandria, for Kichmond and New Orleans. 
 Transfer coaches convey passengers from the Baltimore and 
 Ohio Depot to the Baltimore and Potomac Depot and Poto- 
 mac Ferry. 
 
 Alexandria. — Local trains on the Alexandria and Wash- 
 ington Eailroad leave from the Baltimore and Potomac 
 Depot about every hour during the day. 
 
 Sleeping Cars are attached to all through night trains. 
 Tickets may be procured at railroad ticket offices. 
 
 Baggage will be called for and checked to all the princi- 
 pal cities of the United States, by leaving orders at the rail- 
 road ticket offices. 
 
GENERAL INFORMATION. 
 
 ix 
 
 Steamers.— Alexandria— The Washington and Al- 
 exandria Ferry steamers ply hourly each way between 
 Washington and Alexandria daring the day. Wharf foot of 
 7th St., Washington, and King St., Alexandria. Fare, single 
 trip 15 cents, round trip 25 cents. 
 
 Mount Vernon. — The steamer for Mount Vernon leaves 
 the 7th-st. wharf daily, except Sunday, at 10 A. M. Return- 
 ing, arrives at Washington at 4 P.M. Fare, $1.50, and ad- 
 mission to mansion and grounds. 
 
 Quantico. — Potomac Steamboat Company— Steam- 
 ers leave daily, at 7 A. M., from the 7th-st. wharf, for Qua?i- 
 tico, connecting with trains for Richmond and the South. 
 
 Potomac Landings. — The Palisades, on Mondays and 
 Thursdays, 7 "A. M., and Pilot Boy, on Tuesdays and Fridays, 
 7 A.M., during navigation, from 7th-st. wharf. 
 
 Baltimore and Intermediate Landings. — Three 
 steamers a week, during the season of navigation, leaving 
 Mondays, 7 P. M., Tuesdays, 9 P. M., and Fridays, 12 mid- 
 night, from the 7th-st. wharf. 
 
 New York. — The Washington and New York steam- 
 ers leave Fridays, from the foot of High st., Georgetown. 
 
 Philadelphia. — Steamers leave Georgetown (Water st.) 
 on Tuesdays and Saturdays, at 10 A. M., via canal, till navi- 
 gation closes. 
 
 Boston and Norfolk.— Steamers of the Washington, 
 Norfolk, and Boston Line leave the 7th-st. wharf Mon- 
 days and Thursdays, at 2 P. M., touching at all principal 
 landings, and connecting with the Richmond and Boston 
 steamers. This line usually suspends during the winter 
 months. 
 
 The wharves of all the Washington lines may be reached 
 by the 7th-st. horse-cars. 
 
 Street Oars.— All parts of Washington may be reached by 
 street-cars. 
 
 Washington and Georgetown Street Railway, incor- 
 porated 1S62, cars every 3, 4, and 5 min. during the day, start 
 on Bridge St., at High, Georgetown, cross Rock Creek over 
 a fine iron bridge, follow Pennsylvania av., passing Mills' 
 Statue of Washington, Corcoran Art Galleiy, Lafayette 
 Square, War Department, President's House, and Treasiuy. 
 At the intersection of loth st. W. the3 r connect with the cars 
 on the 14th Street and Columbia Railways. Exchange tick- 
 ets given for the former. At the S. end of the Treasury 
 they again enter Pennsylvania av., which they follow the 
 entire length of the business quarter of the city, passing the 
 Centre Market and Botanical Garden. At 9th st. W. they 
 
X 
 
 GENERAL INFORMATION. 
 
 intercept the Metropolitan line N. and S. ; and at 7th st. W. 
 connect with the cars of the 7th st. branch IS", and S. On 
 the latter exchange tickets are given. At the W. gate of the 
 Capitol grounds one branch turns to the 1. for the Baltimore 
 and Ohio Railroad Depot every 10 min. during the day, and 
 the other to the r. for the Capitol or Navy Yard, every 5 min. 
 during the day. At the top of the hill a branch carries pas- 
 sengers to the E. front of the House, or S. extension of the 
 Capitol. The main line continues along B st. S. to Pennsyl- 
 vania av., and thence to 8th st. E., thence passing the Marine 
 Barracks to the Navy Yard. 
 
 Fourteenth-Street Branch, cars every 10 min. dur- 
 ing the day, start on New York av. at loth st. W., NE. of 
 the Treasury Department, thence to 14th st., thence N. to 
 boundary, passing the Fourteenth-Street Circle and State 
 Department. Exchange tickets are given on the Pennsyl- 
 vania av. line. 
 
 Seventh-Street Branch, cars every 4 and 5 min. dur- 
 ing the day, start at the boundary, follow the same street 
 across the city to the Potomac river, passing the N. Market, 
 Mount Vernon Place, Patent and Post Offices, and Odd- 
 Fellows' Hall. At Massachusetts av. they intersect the Co- 
 lumbia Railway, and at F st. 1ST. the Metropolitan line. On 
 Pennsylvania av. they connect with the main line. Ex- 
 change tickets given E. or W. The cars now pass the Cen- 
 tre Market, cross the Mall, with the Smithsonion grounds on 
 r., continuing to the wharves for the Alexandria, Mount 
 Vernon, and other steamers. 
 
 Metropolitan Railway, incorporated 1864, cars every 
 4 min. during the clay, start on 17th st., W. of the Navy 
 and New State Departments, follow 17th st. W., passing the 
 State, War, and Navy Departments, and Corcoran Art Gal- 
 lery to H st. ; here the Georgetown branch leaves ; thence 
 passing Lafayette Square to 14th st. ; thence to F st., inter- 
 secting the 14th st. and Columbia Railways at New York 
 av. ; connecting with the cars on the 9th st. branch N. and 
 S., on which exchange tickets are given, passing the Patent 
 and Post Offices, and intersecting the 7th st. line ; thence to 
 5th st. ; thence to Louisiana av., passing Judiciary Square ; 
 thence to Indiana av., passing the City Hall; thence to C 
 st., passing the Baltimore and Ohio depot to Delaware av. ; 
 thence to B st. N., where the E. Capitol branch leaves; 
 thence to the Senate extension. 
 
 Georgetown and East Capitol Street Branch, cars 
 every 6 min. during the day. Same as the main line going 
 W. Cars leave that at H and 17th sts. NW. ; thence to Con- 
 necticut av. ; thence to P st. at the Circle, intersecting the 
 
GENERAL INFORMATION. 
 
 XI 
 
 Connecticut av. and Park Railway ; thence along P st., cross- 
 ing Bock Creek over a fine bridge, entering West St., George- 
 town ; thence to High ; thence to Fayette, where it passes the 
 Convent of the Visitation ; thence to 2d ; thence to High ; 
 thence to Dumbarton; thence to Montgomery; thence to 
 West, where the return track follows the outward, back to 
 Washington. The East Capitol extension continues on B st. 
 IS", to 1st E. ; thence to East Capitol st., and thence to Lin- 
 coln Square, the present terminus. It will be extended E. 
 on the same street to the Anacostia. 
 
 Ninth Street Branch, cars every 7 and 8 min. during 
 the day, start at Boundary; thence, passing Mount Vernon 
 Place, the Patent Office and Masonic and Lincoln Halls, toB 
 st. At New York av. they intersect the Columbia Kail way. 
 At F st. exchange tickets are given E. and W. OnB st. the 
 cars pass the Centre Market, and intersect the 7th st. line. 
 On 6th st. they pass the Baltimore and Potomac Depot to Mis- 
 souri av. ; thence to 4J st. ; thence to the Arsenal gate. 
 
 Silver Springs Branch, of Metropolitan road starts at 
 the N. terminus of the 7th st. line, and follows the 7th st. 
 road a distance of 1J m , passing the Scheutzen Park and 
 Howard Univershy, and terminates at present at the road to 
 the Soldiers' Home and Kock Creek Church. 
 
 Columbia Kailway, incorporated 1870, cars every 10 
 min. during the day, start on New York av. at loth st. W., 
 NE. of the Treasury ; thence to H st. At 14th st. they cross 
 the Metropolitan and 14th st. lines ; at 9th st. W. the Metro- 
 politan, passing Mount Vernon Place, to Massachusetts av. 
 At 7th st. they cross that line ; thence to H st. N. ; thence to 
 the boundaiy, passing the Government Printing Office. At 
 the terminus the Baltimore turnpike and Benning's Bridge 
 road commence. 
 
 Connecticut Avenue and Park Kailway, incorpo- 
 rated 1868. The Connecticut av. portion is used by the Me- 
 tropolitan line to Georgetown. A car connects at the P st. 
 Circle, and runs to boundary. 
 
 Fares. — The rate of fare on the Washington and George- 
 town line is 5 cents, to include a transfer or exchange ticket 
 on the 14th and 7th st. branches N. and S. The fare on the 
 Metropolitan line is 7 cents for single tickets, or ten for 50 
 cents, or on the 9th-st. branch five for 25 cents. Transfers 
 N. and S. are given on the 9th-st. branch. The fare on the 
 Columbia line is 5 cts. 
 
 Further extensions of existing lines, and the construction 
 of new ones, are proposed, in some instances the roadway 
 having already been laid. 
 
xii 
 
 GENERAL INFORMATION. 
 
 Vehicles for hire.— Rates of fare established by law for 
 hacks, cabs, or other vehicle for hire in the District of Co- 
 lumbia. 
 
 Bet. 5 a. m. and Bet. 12.30 a. m. 
 12.30 a. m. and 5 a. m. 
 
 For one or two passengers in a one- f Perh'r, 75 cts. Per hour, $1 12. 
 
 horse vehicle. (Pertrip,75 cts. Per trip, $1 12. 
 
 For one or two passengers, four- [Per hour, $1 50. Per hour, $2 25. 
 
 seated vehicle drawn by two < Per trip, ex- Per trip, exceed- 
 
 horses, within the city. ( ceed'glm.,$l. 1 m., $1 50. 
 
 And for each additional passenger, 50 cts. 
 One mile or less, one half these rates. 
 For one or two passengers, four- ~ „ i.' .,_ Kn n^v,™.. <to or 
 
 from Georgetown, * 1 m " 12 00 ' ln S 1 m " ® 3 00 - 
 
 And for each additional passenger, 50 cts. 
 
 One mile or less, one half these rates. 
 
 One-horse vehicle does not include buggies and phaetons. 
 
 In all cases where a vehicle is not engaged by the hour, it 
 will be considered as being engaged by the trip. 
 
 Special rates are charged for excursions. 
 
 If there should be an overcharge, drive to the nearest police 
 station, where officers in charge will immediately decide the 
 case. 
 
 In every case require a ticket of the driver before starting. 
 
 City Post Office. — General Post Office Building, entrance 
 on F st. General Delivery, 6 a. m. to 11 p. m. Box 
 Delivery, 7 a. m. to 8 p. m. Sunday, 8 to 10 a. m. and 6 
 to 7 p. m. Letter Carriers 1 Window on r., open 7 to 
 8 p. m. Stamp Office on r. Ladies' Window on the 1. 
 
 The Mails.— -Eastern— for New York, Philadelphia, Bos- 
 ton, &c, due 6.30 A. M., 6P.M.; close 7 A. M. 8 P. M. 
 
 Western — due 6.05, 11.30 a. m., 2, 7 P. M. ; close 6 A. M., 
 6.45 p. m. 
 
 South — due 7.20 A. m., 5, 7.25 p. M. ; close 6 A. M., 5.30, 
 9.20 p.m. 
 
 Baltimore, Md.— due 6.05 a. m., 2, 6, 9 p. m. ; close 7, 10 
 A. M., 12 m., 8 p. M. 
 
 Georgetown — due 11.45 a. m., 4.45, 8, 10 p. m. ; close 8 
 A.M., 2, 7 P.M. 
 
 Alexandria— due 7.45 a. m., 7.20 p. m. ; close 6 a. m., 
 5.30 p. M. 
 
 Foreign Mails are forwarded daily to ISTew York and 
 San Francisco. 
 
GENERAL INFORMATION. 
 
 xiii 
 
 Bates of Postage.— Domestic. — Letters to any part of the 
 United States, 3 cents for each £ ounce or fraction thereof. 
 Letters within any city, 2 cents where free delivery ; other 
 offices, 1 cent. Registered Letters, 8 cents registration fee, 
 in addition to the regular postage. At least one full rate 
 must be paid on letters to secure their transmission. Printed 
 books, package limited to 4 lbs., except books printed by or- 
 der of Congress, 2 cents for each 2 ounces or fraction thereof. 
 Newspapers and magazines 1 cent 2 ounces. All transient 
 matter must be prepaid in full by stamps. 
 
 Foreign. — The frequent changes in routes and rates rend- 
 ers it advisable to omit a table of foreign postages. All ne- 
 cessary information should be obtained at the Post Office. 
 
 Money-Orders and Registered Letters. — The Mo- 
 ney-Order and Registered-Letter Departments are open from 
 8a.m. to 4 p. m. No business is transacted in either of these 
 departments on Sunday. 
 
 Entrance to Money-Order and Registry Departments, from 
 F St., door E. of delivery. 
 
 Telegraph Offices.— Automatic— Principal office, Saint 
 Marc Hotel, Perm, a v. 
 
 Franklin.— Principal office, 609 Penn. av. 
 
 Western Union.— Principal office, Penn. av. and 14th 
 st. W. 
 
 Branch Offices will be found in all the principal hotels, 
 or near by, and in the Capitol. 
 
 Churches. — The following list of places of religious worship 
 is merely designed for the use of visitors in the citj r , and 
 therefore embraces only the representative churches of each 
 denomination. For convenience of reference, it is arranged 
 alphabetically. The usual hour for service is 10.30 to 11 A. 
 M. and 7 to 8 p. M., according to the season of the year. 
 
 Baptist.— First, 13th st. W., bet. G and H. E-street, E 
 St., bet. 6th and 7th W. Calvary, H and 8th sts. NW. Shi- 
 loh, (Old School,) Mass. av., bet. 9th and 10th sts. W. 
 
 Catholic, Roman.— St. Aloysius, I and N. Capitol st. 
 NW. St. Dominic's, 6th and F. sts. SW. St. Matthew's, H 
 and 15th st. NW. St. Patrick's, 10th and F sts., (rebuilding.) 
 St. Stephen's, Penn. av. and 25th st. NW. 
 
 Christian.— First, Vermont av., above 1ST st. NW. 
 
 Congregational— First, 10th and G sts. NW. 
 
 Fpiscopal, Protestant— Ascension, H st., bet. 9th and 
 10th NW. Epiphanjr, G St., bet. 13th and 14th NW. Rock 
 Creek, near Soldiers' Home. St. John's, 16th and H sts. 
 
xiv 
 
 GENERAL INFORMATION. 
 
 NW. St. Paul's, (Ritualistic) 23d st., S. of Circle, NW. 
 Trinity, 3d and C sts. NW. 
 
 Episcopal, Methodist. — Foundry, G and 14th sts. NW. 
 Hamline, cor. 9th and P sts. NW. McKendree, Mass. av., 
 near 9th st. NW. Metropolitan, 4J and C sts. NW. Wesley 
 Chapel, 5th and F sts. NW. 
 
 Episcopal, Methodist South. — Mount Vernon, 9th 
 and K sts. NW. 
 
 Friends.— Orthodox, 13th, bet. R and S sts. NW. Hick- 
 site, I st., bet. 18th and 19th N W. Meetings, 11 o'clock a. m. 
 
 German Reformed.— First, 6th and N sts. NW. Ger- 
 man service, A.M. ; English, p. M. 
 
 Hebrew. — Washington Hebrew Congregation, 8th st., 
 bet. H and I NW. Services every Friday 7 P. M., and Sab- 
 bath (Saturday) 9 a. m. 
 
 Lutheran — Trinity, (Unaltered Augsburg Confession,) 
 E and 4th sts. NW. St. Paul's, H and 11th sts NW. Me- 
 morial, N and 14th sts. N. 
 
 Methodist Protestant.— 9th st., bet. E and F NW. 
 
 Presbyterian.— First, 4£ st. NW., near the City Hall. 
 Fourth, 9th, bet. G and H sts. NW. New-York Avenue, 
 New-York av., bet. 13th and 14th NW. 
 
 Unitarian.— D and 6th sts. NW. 
 
 Universalist. — Masonic Hall, F and 9th sts. NW. 
 
 Colored Churches. — Baptist, First, I and 19th sts. NW. 
 Catholic, Roman, St. Martin's, loth st., near L NW. Epis- 
 copal, St. Mary's, 23d St., bet. G and H NW. Methodist, 
 Asbury, K and 11th sts. NW. Presbyterian, 15th, bet. I and 
 K sts. NW. 
 
 Theatres. — The best places of amusement in the city are 
 Forces Opera Rouse, on 9th st. W., immediately S. of Penn- 
 sylvania av., and the National Theatre, on E st. N., bet. 13th 
 and 14th sts. NW. Here the standard comedies and trage- 
 dies and plays of the day are performed by excellent stock 
 companies during the winter season, varied at intervals by 
 Italian, German, or English opera, and the presence of the- 
 atrical " stars." 
 
 General Amusements.— Concerts and lectures take place 
 almost every night, and will afford recreation for those who 
 prefer this character of entertainment. - 
 
 Etiquette, Ceremonies, and Formalities. — The population 
 
 of Washington is divided into two classes : official and unoffi- 
 cial, and society admits of the same classification. The first 
 includes those actively associated with the various branches 
 
GENERAL INFORMATION. 
 
 XV 
 
 and departments of the Government and retired officers of 
 the Army and Navy and families. The second includes resi- 
 dents in the capital not in official employment, and visitors. 
 
 The Season. — The fashionable season commences with 
 the New Year's receptions, and ends with the beginning of 
 Lent. During this period life at the capital is extremely gay. 
 The congressional season begins on the first Monday in De- 
 cember of each year, and, with a recess during the Christmas 
 holidays, lasts till March 4 in the odd years and until June or 
 July in the even years. During the months of July, August, 
 and September, the prominent officials and residents leave the 
 capital for places of summer resort. 
 
 Receptions. — The reception season begins on New Year's 
 day and lasts till the beginning of Lent. The clays for after- 
 noon receptions are arranged among the ladies of the families 
 of the President, Cabinet Ministers, and Governor of the Dis- 
 trict. The announcements are made daily during the season 
 in the newspapers. Hours, afternoon, 2 to 5 p. m. ; evening, 
 8 to 11 p. m. Afternoon receptions are open to all. Evening 
 receptions are by card, unless otherwise announced in the daily 
 newspapers. 
 
 Titles — The following are the forms of address used in 
 conversation with certain officials, viz : Mr. President ; to 
 members of the Cabinet, Mr. Secretary, Mr. Postmaster Gen- 
 eral, Mr. Attorney General ; Mr. Chief Justice, Mr. Vice Presi- 
 dent, Mr. Senator, Mr. Speaker, Mr. Justice, for associates of 
 
 the Supreme Court, and Mr. , for Representatives. The 
 
 latter frequently have titles, as Judge, &c. Official commu- 
 nications should be addressed, 44 To the President, 44 To the 
 Chief Justice," and all others 44 To the Honorable, the Sec- 
 retary of State," &c, or 44 The Honorable D. W., Secretary of 
 State;" and to members of Congress, Honorable, with the 
 name. The form customary for ladies of officials, is Mrs. 
 
 President ; Mrs. General ; Mrs. Secretary, &c. The 
 
 following form of address for certain officers would be better 
 than those now in vogue : For the Secretary of State, The 
 Premier; other members of the Cabinet, Mr. Minister. 
 
 Cards. — Whenever a visit is made or reception attended, 
 a card, containing the name and residence in the city, should 
 be sent in, or left with the usher, or in the receiver in the 
 hall. Cards left at afternoon receptions are generally recog- 
 nized by cards to evening receptions. Cards are generally 
 issued to all evening receptions, except those of the President 
 and Speaker of the' House of Representatives, and sometimes 
 the General of the Army. In private calls, if the person 
 called upon be out, turn down the right upper corner of the 
 card, to indicate that called in person ; if the call be upon 
 
xvi 
 
 GENERAL INFORMATION. 
 
 the family, under the same circumstances, turn down the 
 right end. In making a farewell call, place P. P. C. on the 
 lower edge of the card. 
 
 A stranger, in calling upon officials, or at receptions, should, 
 if his name be not announced by an usher or by card, men- 
 tion it himself, so as to prevent embarrassment. 
 
 Invitations. — In all cases, invitations to dinner should 
 be promptly accepted or declined. It is not obligatory to 
 respond to invitations to evening entertainments, unless re- 
 quired in the letters R. S. V. P., though it is proper to recog- 
 nize them formally. Invitations to evening receptions do 
 
 not require a reply. The general form of reply is : Mr. S 
 
 presents his compliments to Secretary , and accepts with 
 
 pleasure his invitation to dinner Thursday evening. Mon- 
 day, Dec. — , 187 — . The form is. the same, with adaptation, 
 for evening entertainments. 
 
 Calls. — The ladies of officials return calls. The President 
 and wife are not required to return calls ; other members of 
 the family can. The lower officials should always call first 
 upon the higher; and ladies the same ; hours 2 to 5 p. m. 
 Evening calls only allowed for social acquaintances. The 
 first visit received should be returned in three days. Stran- 
 gers, desiring to pay respects to any officials, can do so with 
 propriety during office hours, sending in a card, marked "to 
 pay respects," by the usher. 
 
 Dress. — For visiting and at all afternoon receptions such 
 dress for ladies and gentlemen as is recognized in good soci- 
 ety for morning calls should be worn. At all evening recep- 
 tions and dinner parties, full evening dress for ladies and 
 gentlemen should be strictly observed ; consisting, for gen- 
 tlemen, of black dress-coat and pantaloons, white neck-tie, 
 and light gloves. 
 
 The President. — Cabinet days, Tuesdays and Fridays, 
 hours of meeting 12 M. Business hours : During the session 
 of Congress, the President receives Senators and Kepresen- 
 tatives from 10 A. M. to 12 m. every day, except Sunday, and 
 the public, by card through the usher in the ante-room, from 
 12 M. till 3 P. M., except on Cabinet days and Sundays. The 
 number admitted during hours is governed entirely by the 
 time the President can spare from his public duties. Persons 
 desiring to pay their respects only, should note "to pay res- 
 pects" on their cards, and call the attention of the officer in 
 in the ante-room thereto. During the adjournment of Con- 
 gress, the President, when not absent from the Capital, usu- 
 ally receives in the morning from 10 A. M. to 12 M. 
 
 The President and family receive socially in the evening. 
 
GENERAL INFORMATICS. 
 
 xvii 
 
 These visits, however, are only made by those warranted by 
 their acquaintance to call upon them. 
 
 Diplomatic representatives of foreign governments, upon 
 their first arrival at the Capital, are presented in the Blue- 
 Room, at a time fixed by the Secretary of State, with the 
 consent of the President. The ceremony of presentation 
 consists of an address by the Minister, and a reply by the 
 President. 
 
 The President's levees are announced through the press. 
 No further invitation is necessary, and* all strangers at the 
 Capital are at liberty to call. The hours are usually from 8 
 to 10 p.m. Music by the Marine Band. Iso dress is pre- 
 scribed, though it is eminently proper to appear in the even- 
 ing dress dictated by good society. Enter by the door, 
 where the ushers will direct to the cloak rooms. Then enter 
 the Red, and pass into the Blue-Room, where the President 
 receives. Announce name to the Marshal of the District, 
 who presents to the President. The Engineer in charge of 
 Public Buildings and Grounds presents to the wife of the 
 President. After paying respects, in order to make room 
 for others, it is advisable to pass out at once into the Green 
 and thence into the East-Room. 
 
 The afternoon receptions at the President's House are al- 
 ways held by the wife of the President, on such days as she 
 may select. She is assisted by such ladies as she may invite, 
 generally selected in alphabetical order from the wives of 
 Senators and Members, who, by their official positions, are 
 entitled to such consideration, and any friend. Hours, 2 to 
 5 p. m. ISTo invitations. Visitors in the city are at liberty 
 to attend. The President, after office hours, often assists. 
 Presentations are made in the Blue Room by the Engineer 
 in charge of Public Buildings and Grounds. Approach as 
 in levees, except that it is customary to leave a card at the 
 door. Enter the Red Room. Dress the same as recognized 
 by good society as suitable for morning calls. These recep- 
 tions afford an excellent opportunity to strangers at the Cap- 
 ital to view the suits of parlors, state dining room, and con- 
 servatories. The latter are open to the public only on these 
 occasions. After leaving the Blue Room, pass into the Green 
 and East Rooms. The corridor which leads from the East 
 Room extends to the conservatories on the W. end. The 
 President, during the winter, gives state dinners, to which 
 thirty-six invitations at a time are issued, and comprise Sen- 
 ators and Representatives, selected alphabetically. Their 
 wives are also included. The President also invites promi- 
 nent officers of the Government in recognized order. 
 
 On New Year's day the President receives in the following 
 
xviii 
 
 GENERAL INFORMATION. 
 
 order : Members of the Cabinet and Foreign Ministers ; 
 judges of the Supreme Court of the United States; Senators 
 and Kepresentatives in Congress ; the Governor of the Dis- 
 trict of Columbia and suite; judges of the courts of the Dis- 
 trict of Columbia and of the United States Court of Claims ; 
 officers of the army and navy ; Assistant Secretaries of depart- 
 ments; Solicitor General ; associations and the public. 
 
 Chief Justice and Judges of the Supreme Court.— La- 
 dies receive on Monday. Return visits. First call must be 
 made upon them. 
 
 Speaker's receptions are announced in the newspapers. 
 
 Generax. of the Army. — Reception of lady, Mondays. 
 Expect the first call. The General's receptions are by card, 
 unless otherwise announced in the newspapers. 
 
 Admiral of the Navy. — Same as for General of the 
 Army, except evening receptions always by card. 
 
 The Cabinet. — The ladies of Cabinet Ministers usually 
 receive on Wednesdays, at which time visitors in the city are 
 at liberty to call, leave cards with and give names to the usher 
 at the door. Evening receptions by card are given by Cabi- 
 net Ministers. The ladies of the Cabinet return visits. The 
 first call must be made upon them. 
 
 Senators and Representatives. — Ladies receive on 
 Thursdays. Calls must be first made upon them. 
 
 Governor of the District. — Afternoon receptions of 
 ladies announced in the newspapers. Open to all. Evening 
 by card. First call must be made. 
 
 Diplomatic Corps. — Invitations are issued to all enter- 
 tainments. Receive calls first. There are also diplomatic 
 evenings for members of the corps and families, and such 
 others as the lady personally invites. 
 
 Residents.— The ladies of the families of residents at the 
 capital not in official life, call first. Their days at home are 
 generally marked on their cards. 
 
 Social precedence. — 1, The President; 2, the Chief 
 Justice ; 3, the Vice President ; 4, the Speaker ; 5, the Gen- 
 eral of the Army ; 6, the Admiral of the Navy ; 7, the Cabi- 
 net, Secretary of State, Treasury, War, Navy, Postmaster 
 General, Secretary of the Interior, and Attorney General ; 8, 
 Senators ; 9, Associate Justices ; 10, Representatives in Con- 
 gress; and, 11, Governor of the District. 
 
 Remarks. — General Jackson first introduced bad manners 
 into the society of the President's House. The President, by 
 virtue of his office, of a right occupies the highest social posi- 
 tion in the land, and the observance of the formalities which 
 are recognized in the surroundings of any American gentle- 
 man's home should be accorded to the home of the President. 
 
GENERAL INFORMATION. 
 
 xix 
 
 Distances from Washington. 
 
 Capitals of States or Territories are in capital letters. 
 
 MILES. 
 
 Albany, N. Y 374 
 
 Albuquerque, N.M..215G 
 
 Alexandria, Va 7 
 
 Annapolis, Md 42 
 
 Atlanta, Ga 721 
 
 Augusta. Me 631 
 
 Austin, Texas 1781 
 
 Baltimore, Md 40 
 
 Boise City, Idaho. ..26G7 
 
 Boston, Mass 458 
 
 Brownsville, Tex... 1946 
 
 Buffalo, N. Y 446 
 
 Cairo, Illinois 977 
 
 Carson City, Nev...2950 
 
 Charleston, S. C 587 
 
 Cheyenne, Wy. T.-1850 
 
 Chicago, 111 842 
 
 Cincinnati, Ohio.... 611 
 
 Columbia, S. C 519 
 
 Columbus, Ohio 535 
 
 Concord, N. H 503 
 
 Deer LoDGE.Mon.T.2700 
 
 Denver, Col. T 1950 
 
 Desmoines, Iowa 1162 
 
 Detroit, Mich 692 
 
 Dover. Del. 159 
 
 Duluth, Minn 1437 
 
 Erie, Pa 466 
 
 Fort Abercrombie,1507 
 Fort Benton, M.T..3130 
 FortBerthold, D.T.2186 
 Fort Bliss, Tex .... 2523 
 Fort Boise, Idaho.,2669 
 
 MILES. 
 
 Belize 1410 
 
 Berlin 3840 
 
 Buenos Ayres 4870 
 
 Calcutta 8580 
 
 Callao 3168 
 
 Caracas 1830 
 
 Cape Good Hope. ...7380 
 
 Cape Horn 6450 
 
 Chuquisaca 3670 
 
 Constantinople 4870 
 
 Georgetown, Br. G.2230 
 Havana 1250 
 
 MILES. 
 
 Fort Bridger,Wy.T.2349 
 Fort Dodge, Kan... 1586 
 
 Fort Fetterman 1984 
 
 Fort Gibson,Ch.Na.l387 
 
 Fort Hays, Kan 1525 
 
 Fort Klamath, Ore.3320 
 Fort Laramie, VV.T.1906 
 Fort Leavenworth. .1263 
 Fort Randall, D. T.1535 
 Fort Smith, Ark. ...1307 
 Fort Wayne, Ind... 694 
 
 Fort Yuma, Cal 3881 
 
 Frankfort, Ky 731 
 
 Galveston, Texas. ..1556 
 
 Harrisburg, Pa 125 
 
 Hartford, Conn 342 
 
 Indianapolis, Ind... 715 
 
 Jackson, Miss 10S2 
 
 Jefferson City, Mo.1077 
 Kansas City, Mo. ...1234 
 
 Lansing, Mich 742 
 
 Leavenworth, Kan.1260 
 Little Rock, Ark. ..1115 
 
 Louisville, Ky 720 
 
 Madison, Wis 974 
 
 Memphis, Tenn 934 
 
 Milledgeville, Ga.. 698 
 
 Milwaukee, Wis 927 
 
 Mobile, Ala 1082 
 
 Montgomery, Ala.... 896 
 
 Montpelier, Vt 556 
 
 Nashville. Tenn.... 775 
 New Haven, Conn.. 307 
 
 MILES. 
 
 Honolulu 4650 
 
 Jerusalem 5490 
 
 Lima 3180 
 
 Lisbon 3180 
 
 London 3300 
 
 Mexico 1680 
 
 Nicaragua 1740 
 
 Panama 1840 
 
 Paris 3480 
 
 Pekin.. 7G80 
 
 Rio de Janeiro 4300 
 
 MILES. 
 
 New Orleans, La. ...1250 
 
 New York, N. Y 229 
 
 Norfolk, Va 233 
 
 Olympia, Wash. T...3982 
 
 Omaha, Neb 1298 
 
 Pensacola, Fla 1050 
 
 Philadelphia, Pa.... 139 
 
 Pittsburg, Pa 374 
 
 Portland, Ore 3952 
 
 Providence, R. 1 419 
 
 Raleigh, N. C 313 
 
 Richmond, Va 130 
 
 Sacramento, Cal 3072 
 
 Saint Louis, Mo 952 
 
 Saint Paul, Minn.,1285 
 
 Salem, Ore 3834 
 
 Salt Lake City U.T.2464 
 
 San Francisco, Cal. 3155 
 San Juan Is., W. T.4047 
 Santa Fe, N. Mex...2093 
 
 Savannah, Ga 691 
 
 Tahlequah, Ind. T..1300 
 
 Sitka, Alaska.., 4535 
 
 Springfield, 111 928 
 
 Tallahassee, Fla 953 
 
 Topeka, Kan 1302 
 
 Trenton, N. J 170 
 
 Tucson, Ar. T 2628 
 
 Vancouver, W. T...3970 
 Virginia Citv, M.T.2687 
 Wheeling, W. Va.... 401 
 Wilmington, Del... Ill 
 
 Yankton, D. T 1449 
 
 miles. 
 
 Rome 4080 
 
 San Domingo 1300 
 
 San Juan 1380 
 
 San Salvador 1650 
 
 Santiago, Chili 4700 
 
 Spanishtown, Jam.,1290 
 
 St. Petersburg 4290 
 
 Sydney, Aus 9150 
 
 Tehauntepec. 1620 
 
 Vera Cruz 1560 
 
 Vienna 4110 
 
 Foreign Distances, air-Line, from Washington, to 
 
XX 
 
 GENERAL INFORMATION. 
 
 Differences of Time. 
 
 Table showing the mean time at 39 places in the United States 
 and Foreign Countries, u hen it is mean noon at Washington, 
 D. C, United States of America. 
 
 * Signifies forenoon and f afternoon. Time computed from the ob- 
 servatories of all places marked (o.) 
 
 
 
 
 h. 
 
 m. 
 
 s. 
 
 Albany, N. Y 
 
 (o) 
 
 f 
 
 0 
 
 13 
 
 13 
 
 Alexandria, Egypt. 
 
 f 
 
 7 
 
 7 
 
 44 
 
 Astoria, Oregon 
 
 
 $ 
 
 8 
 
 52 
 
 57 
 
 
 
 X 
 
 I 
 
 () 
 
 23 
 
 52 
 
 
 
 
 0 
 
 1 
 
 45 
 
 Berlin, Prussia 
 
 (o) 
 
 1 
 
 6 
 
 1 
 
 40 
 
 
 t 
 
 0 
 
 23 
 
 58 
 
 Cambridge, Mass... 
 
 (o) 
 
 t 
 
 0 
 
 23 
 
 42 
 
 Canton, China 
 
 
 0 
 
 41 
 
 18 
 
 Charleston, S. C 
 
 
 * 
 
 11 
 
 48 
 
 30 
 
 
 
 * 
 
 11 
 
 17 
 
 41 
 
 Cincinnati, Ohio.... 
 
 
 * 
 
 11 
 
 30 
 
 13 
 
 Detroit, Michigan- 
 
 
 
 11 
 
 36 
 
 2 
 
 Greenwich, Eng.... 
 
 •(o) 
 
 t 
 
 5 
 
 8 
 
 11 
 
 Honolulu, S. I 
 
 
 6 
 
 36 
 
 44 
 
 
 
 * 
 
 2 
 
 28 
 
 12 
 
 Leavenworth, Kan. 
 
 
 
 10 
 
 49 
 
 16 
 
 
 
 * 
 
 11 
 
 59 
 
 41 
 
 
 (0) 
 
 f 
 
 4 
 
 56 
 
 11 
 
 
 (o) 
 
 t 
 
 5 
 
 
 12 
 
 
 
 h. 
 
 m. 
 
 s. 
 
 Louisville, Ky 
 
 t 11 
 
 26 
 
 12 
 
 Melbourne, Aus'lia 
 
 * 
 
 2 
 
 48 
 
 5 
 
 Memphis, Tenn 
 
 Mexico, Mex 
 
 * 
 
 11 
 
 7 
 
 40 
 
 * 
 
 10 
 
 31 
 
 50 
 
 
 * 
 
 11 
 
 16 
 
 35 
 
 Mobile, Alabama... 
 
 * 
 
 11 
 
 16 
 
 6 
 
 Montreal, C. E 
 
 f 
 
 0 
 
 14 
 
 0 
 
 Moscow, Russia 
 
 New Orleans, La.... 
 
 (o) t 
 
 7 
 
 38 
 
 28 
 
 * 
 
 11 
 
 8 
 
 12 
 
 New York, N. Y 
 
 t 
 
 0 
 
 12 
 
 12 
 
 
 
 11 
 
 50 
 
 15 
 
 
 (o) t 
 
 5 
 
 17 
 
 33 
 
 Philadelphia, Pa.... 
 
 (o) f 
 
 0 
 
 7 
 
 34 
 
 Salt Lake, Utah 
 
 (o) t 
 
 * 
 
 5 
 
 58 
 
 6 
 
 9 
 
 39 
 
 48 
 
 San Francisco, Cal. 
 
 * 
 
 8 
 
 58 
 
 25 
 
 St. Louis, Mo 
 
 * 
 
 11 
 
 7 
 
 11 
 
 
 (o) t 
 
 6 
 
 13 
 
 44 
 
 Washington, D. C... 
 
 (o) 
 
 0 
 
 0 
 
 0 
 
SECTION I. 
 WASHINGTON AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 
 
 WASHINGTON. 
 
 HE Seat of Government of the United States 
 j§gf?gr of America has been appropriately called "the 
 Virgin Capital." A territory under the exclusive 
 jurisdiction of Congress had early received the atten- 
 tion of the legislators of the new Republic; indeed, 
 before the clamor of war had fairly ceased, or the 
 royal standard of England had left its shores. The posses- 
 sion of such a territory was an important feature in the de- 
 bates upon the framing of the Constitution ; and it was pre- 
 cisely forty-eight days after the last act of ratification, that 
 the Federal City of the American Republic was by solemn en- 
 actment of the young Congress of the Thirteen Free and Inde- 
 pendent States located on the beautiful eastern shore of the 
 broad Potomac. It might be added, that not only is Washing- 
 ton the only virgin capital in the world, but its foundation was 
 simultaneous with the inauguration of the permanent form of 
 government of the nation. Of being synchronous it lacked less 
 than two years. The idea and the execution were essentially 
 American. It w r as founded as the Capital of the Republic. It 
 sprang out of the virgin soil, and its growth and magnificence 
 were to be measured by the progress and taste of the people 
 who constituted the Government of which it was to be the 
 political head and centre and the permanent residence. 
 
 Among the capitals of the great nations of modern times, 
 in this particular Washington stands alone. St. Petersburg, 
 now the seat of the imperial residence of the Autocrat of all 
 the Russias, rose out of the morasses of the Neva at the will 
 of the great Peter. It was long what its founder called it, a 
 look-out upon Europe, before the ancient capital of the Czars, 
 in the fertile Moskva,, left the sheltering walls of the Krem- 
 lin for the banks of the Neva. Versailles, the queen of royal 
 residences, sprang from a favorite hunting lodge of Louis 
 XIII. A monarch like his successor was alone capable of an 
 
2 
 
 GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION. 
 
 exhibition of extravagance such as this. The genius of Le 
 Brun and Le Notre, and the expenditure of two hundred 
 millions of dollars, did not make Versailles a capital. Its 
 name and its associations are synonymous with the reckless- 
 ness of a luxurious and dissolute court. Rome, the city of 
 over twenty-six centuries, was government and capital , when 
 Romulus, with his handful of Latins on the western slope of 
 the Palatine ; Tatius, with his Sabiues on the Capitoliue and 
 the Quirinal ; and the Etruscans on the Cselian and Esquiline, 
 gathered around the forum, and laid the foundation of that 
 career of greatness and power, which justly earned the proud 
 title of Mistress of the World. But republican Rome ros^ 
 on the ruins of the earlier kingdom of the Tarquins. impe- 
 rial Rome superseded the colossal fabric of the Republic of 
 the Consuls, the Tribunes, and the Triumvirs. Pontifical 
 Rome reared herself upon the crumbled throne of the Impe- 
 rial Caesars. The Rome of to-day, the capital of United 
 Italy, therefore, may well be said to be the mother, while 
 Washington is the maiden, of capitals. 
 
 Geographical Location.— Washington the Federal, or Capi- 
 tal City of the United States of America, is situated on the 
 left or eastern bank of the Potomac River, between the 
 Anacostia, or Eastern Branch of the Potomac, and Rock 
 Creek, 106 h m. (statute) above the mouth of the Potomac 
 River, by ship channel, from abreast the red buoy off Point 
 Lookout to Arsenal or Geenleafs Point, and 185 J m. from 
 the buoy 1J m. NE. of Cape Henry light, mouth of Chesa- 
 peake Bay. The distance by air line to the mouth of the 
 Potomac River is 69 m., and to the mouth of the Chesapeake 
 Bay 143 m. The distance from the Capitol by air line to 
 the sea-coast, just below Cape Henlopen, the nearest point, 
 is 105 m. ; and to the Chesapeake Bay, available for vessels 
 of war, Patuxent River, 53 m. ; Annapolis 38 J m., and 
 Herring ~Bny 39 in. 
 
 The latitude of Washington (capitol) is 38° 52' 20 r/ north, long- 
 itude 76° 55 / 30 /7 .54 west of Greenwich, and 79° 15' 41" .69 
 west of Paris, both ascertained in 1821, under authority of 
 Congress, by William Lambert of Virginia. 
 
 The site of the city and the location of the public reservations, squares, Cap- 
 itol and President's House, were selected by President Washington. The only 
 
 direct reference to the location of the public buildings within the limits of the 
 ►territory then accepted, was contained in a proviso in the amendatory act of 
 
 Congress, approved March 30, 1791, requiring their erection on the Maryland 
 •side of the Potomac. When the city was located, the northern limit of the 
 
 United States was lat. 46° N. and the southern 31 0 N., placing Washington but 
 ■ 23 mm. or geographical miles south of the centre along the Atlantic Coast. 
 (The centre is now in the vicinity of Newberne, North Carolina, or 233 miles S. 
 
 Another important consideration in those primitive days was the fact, that on 
 
4 
 
 ARE \. 
 
 no part of the coast, within the b ran Is of ru country, w.vs there accessible to 
 sea-going vessels a port situated so far inland 
 
 The distances from the National Capitol to the remote points within the vast 
 domain now under the jurisdiction of the republic, indicate the wonderful ex- 
 tension of area attained by conquest and purchase during the first century of 
 growth, viz To the north-eastern boundary on New Brunswick, 750 miles ; 
 Rouse's Point, northern boundary, 598 miles ; Cape Flattery, the extreme 
 north-western b >undary, on the Pacific Ocean, 4102 miles , Sitka, the capital 
 of the Alaskan Possessions, 4535 miles ; to San Francisco, western boundary, 
 on the Pacific Ocean, 3155 miles; Key West, Florida, 1494 miles ; Brownsville* 
 Texas, the Mexican frontier, 1946 miles. [For table of distances from Wash- 
 ington to the principal cities of the United States and the world, see General 
 Information.} 
 
 Area. — The plot of the cit} r lies on the W. side of the 
 tract, 64 sq. m., within the present borders of the District of 
 Columbia, and is 14 m. in circumference. It covers 6,111 a., 
 or a little over sq. m. The avenues, streets, and spaces 
 comprise 2,554 a. ; the Government reservations, as origi- 
 nally laid out, 541 a., and squares 3,016 a. The greatest 
 length is from W. to S. of E. ; or from Rock Creek, between 
 I and K sts. W., to the bank of the Anacostia, at 24th st. E., 
 on B st. S., 4.57 m. The earlier plot is extended to 31st 
 st. E. ; but the 7 additional streets and squares are subject 
 to tidal inundation, and are generally excluded from the 
 later maps. The greatest breadth of the city is W. of X., 
 from Greenleaf Point, at the foot of the Arsenal Grounds, to 
 Boundary, at 11 St. W., 3.78 m. The mean width from E. 
 to W. is over 4 m., and length m. The city lies 4 m. 
 along the Potomac and about 3} m. along the Anacostia. 
 
 The following is a comparison of the geographical location, area and popula- 
 tion of Washington with the leading capitals of Europe : Washington. — Lat. 
 38° 52' 20" N. On Potomac Hiver, 106^ m. from its mouth. Area 9^ sq. m , 
 and 14 111. in circuit. Population, 1870, 109,199. London. — Lat. (St. Paul's), 
 51 0 30 48" N. On Thames River, 50 m. from its mouth, Area of old city 1 
 sq. m. With city and liberty of Westminster and 5 boroughs, 31,313 sq. m. 
 Population, 1870, 3,215,000. Paris. — Lat. 48° 50' 12" N. On the Seine River, 
 110 m from its m >uth. Area 14 sq.m. Population, 1871, 1,950,000. Berlin. 
 — Lat. 52 0 30' 16'' N. On Spree River. Area 6,800 a., and 10 m. in circuit. 
 Population, 820,000. St. Petersburg. — Lat. 59 0 56' N. On the Neva River, 
 near its mouth. Area 6 m. in length and 5 in width. Population. 667,000. 
 Vienna. — Lat. 48 0 12' N. On the Wein River, near the Danube. Circuit 15 
 m. Population, 1872, 640,000. Rome.— Lat 41 0 54' 06" N. On the Tiber 
 River, 17 m. from its mouth. Circuit 12 m. Population, 1872, 247,497. 
 
 Government. — The municipal form of 1801, with amend- 
 ments at various times, continued for nearly three-quarters 
 of a century. In 1871 it was superseded by the territorial 
 form, which was abolished by Act of Congress, June 20, 
 1874, and a government of three commissioners substituted. 
 (See Government, District of Columbia.) 
 
 Finances. — (See District of Columbia.) 
 
GEOGRAPHICAL SITUATION. 
 
 5 
 
 Population. — The population of the city, hv decades, si nce 
 its foundation, was 1800, 3.210; 1810, 8,208; 1820, 13,247: 
 1830, 18,826; 1840/ 23,364; 1850, 40,001; 1860, 61,122; 1870, 
 109,199. In 1870, white, 73,731 ; colored, 35,455 ; Indian, 13. 
 Born in the District of Columbia, 42,694 ; in other States, 
 52,748; in foreign countries, 13,757, viz: Ireland, 6,948; 
 Germany, 4,133; England, 1,235; Scotland, 299; British 
 America, 239 ; Italy, 17o ; Switzerland, 146 ; all other foreign 
 countries, 582. 
 
 Miscellaneous Statistics.— Size, 12 in population ; families. 
 21,343; persons to a family, 5.12; dwellings, Ko., 19,545; 
 persons to each, 5.59, Persons in each class of occupations, 
 41,188 : agriculture, 284; personal and professional services. 
 *<*6,109: male, 15,596; female, 10,513; trade and transport- 
 ation, 5,296 ; manufactures, mechanical, and mining: indus- 
 -ries, 9,499. 
 
 DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. 
 
 The Federal Territory, or District of Columbia, is situ- 
 ated on the left or E. bank of the Potomac River, at the 
 confluence of the Anacostia or Eastern Branch of that 
 stream. 
 
 Boundaries. —The District of Columbia comprises 64 
 square miles. It lies entirely within the State of Maryland, 
 and is bounded on the north by Montgomery county, on 
 the east and south by Prince George county, and west by 
 the Potomac River. 
 
 The Federal territory as originally located by President Washington, under 
 authority of the Constitution of the United States, and national and state legis- 
 lation, formed a square of 10 miles (100 sq. m.). The bounds were proclaimed 
 by the President March 33, 1791. On Friday, April 15, of the same year, at 
 3 P. M., the municipal authorities of Alexandria, Virginia, repaired to the 
 house in which the commissioners of Washington were residing, and after uni- 
 ting with them in a glass of wine, to the sentiment * k May the stone which we 
 are about to place in the ground remain an immovable monument of the wis- 
 dom and unanimity of North America," the company proceeded to Jones' 
 Point, or the upper cape which projects into the Potomac River on the Vir- 
 ginia side or right bank, at the confluence of Hunting Creek, then 1 mile E. of 
 S. of the Court House of Alexandria, in the following ordei : Town Sergeant; 
 Daniel Carroll, Commissioner, and the Mayor of Alexandria; Andrew Ellicott, 
 Surveyor and the Recorder ; the Aldermen and Common Council, not Free 
 Masons; strangers, Master of Lodge No. 22, F. A. M. of Alexandria, with 
 David Stewart, Commissioner, on his right, and James Muir, Pastor of that 
 Episcopal parish on his left, followed by the rest of the fraternity and citizens. 
 
6 
 
 GOVERNMENT. 
 
 Ellicott, " Geographer General," then ascertained the precise location on 
 Jones' Point, as defined by the President's proclamation, whereupon the Mas- 
 ter of the Lodge au 1 Dr. Stewart, aided by the craft, planted the initial or 
 corner-stone of the Federal Territory, in accordance with the impressive rites 
 of Masonry. The Rev. James Muir delivered arfaddress. After partaking of 
 refreshments, the procession returned to the city, and closed the ceremonies of 
 the day with a banquet and appropriate toasts and speeches. From this initial 
 stone Mr. Ellicott, during the ensuing year, laid down the lines ot boundary as 
 directed by the President's proclamation. The first at an angle of 45 0 W. of 
 N., a distance of 10 m , into the State of Virginia ; the second also starting at 
 the initial point, at a right angle with the first, or N. E., across the Potomac, 
 10 m., into the State of Maryland, and the remaining two lines from the ter- 
 mini of the first two and at right angles with them, respectively, N. E. and 
 \ T . W., until they met each other in a point. The original Territory, it will be 
 fceen, stood diagonally, each angle facing one of the cardinal points of the com- 
 pass. The N. point, as originally laid out, is % m. due W. of Silver Spring, 
 .vtd. ; the E. Point 2^ m. S. of E. of Benning's Bridge, on the Anacostia ; the 
 S. or initial point at the N. cape of Hunting Creek, called Jones' Point ; and 
 the W. point near the source of Four-mile Run, in Virginia. The centre of the 
 original Territory is marked by a gray free-stone, about 100 yds. W. of the 
 Washington Monument and on a line almost due S. from the President's 
 House, at a distance of about x / 2 m. 
 
 The lines were marked by square mile stones, with appropriate inscriptions 
 on the side facing the territory, "Jurisdiction of the United States 
 facing the State, " Virginia," or " Maryland," according to location; facing 
 the North 4fc 1792," the year in which planted ; and facing the South, the po- 
 sition of the Magnetic Needle. Many of these stones are doubtless still standing, 
 but lost sight of amid the accumulations of decayed vegetation. It has been 
 wisely suggested that the Government should define the lines of the Federal 
 Territory of this now mighty Republic by tablets, columns and other marks, 
 worthy and commemorative of its greatness. Shortly after the District was laid 
 out this was seriously considered. It was proposed to build a great Fort at 
 Jones' Point, on the site of the initial corner-stone of the Federal Territory, at 
 the same time to constitute one of the defenses of the river approach to the 
 Capital from the Sea, and to be called Fort Columbia. It was actually com- 
 menced, but was soon afterwards abandoned. 
 
 In 1846 all that portion of the District, consisting of about 36 sq. m., which 
 lay on the W. bank of the Potomac, in Virginia, was retroceded to that State, 
 which reduced the area to 64 sq. m., its present extent. Since the retrocession, 
 the short-sighted policy of that act has been demons. rated. The question of re- 
 storing the Territory to its first limits is being agitated. In the absence of ab- 
 solute jurisdiction on both sides of the river, it is manifest that there must be 
 interminable conflicts of interest and authority; the more so as the Capital in- 
 creases in population, wealth and magnificence. The schemes of improvement 
 of the Potomac in front of Washington and Georgetown also demand the 
 possession of the Virginia shore. 
 
 Political Divisions. — The District is divided into the cities 
 of Washington and Georgetown and the County of Wash- 
 ington. 
 
 Government— The Congress of the United States, in Nov., 
 1800, assembled for the first time in the City of Washing- 
 ton. The jurisdiction of the United States over the Dis- 
 trict vested on the first Monday of Dec, 3800. It was not, 
 however, till Feb. 27, 1801, that Congress assumed direct and 
 exclusive jurisdiction— all affairs of the District being first 
 referred to a Committee for the District of Columbia for con- 
 sideration and report. 
 
8 
 
 GOVERNMENT. 
 
 The act of Congress approved February 21, 3871, created 
 all that part of the territory of the United States included 
 within the limits of the District of Columbia, into a govern- 
 ment, by the name of the Distinct of Columbia ; the execu- 
 tive power to be vested in a Governor, to be nominated by 
 the President and confirmed by the Senate, and to hold office 
 for four years ; and the legislative power in a Legislative As- 
 sembly, composed of a Council of 11 members, nominated by 
 the President and confirmed by the Senate, to hold office two 
 years, and a House of Delegates of 22 members, elected by 
 the people, and to meet annually. There was a Board of 
 Public Works for improvements, a Board of Health, charged 
 with the sanitary care of the District, and a Delegate in Con- 
 fess. 
 
 On January 22, 1872, a memorial was presented to Con- 
 gress, declaring that the Board of Public Works had usurped 
 authority in making improvements, and was submitted on 
 February G, 1872, setting forth a great increase of the debt of 
 the District of Columbia, and asking that this be prevented. 
 An investigation was ordered. This committee made two 
 reports. The majority admitted that mistakes had been 
 made, but not for corrupt purposes. The minority declared 
 that t he grievances complained of were sustained. Two years 
 later another appeal was made to Congress. A joint resolu- 
 tion, passed by the House of Representatives February 2, and 
 Senate February 11, 1874, created a Joint Select Committee, of 
 three Senators and five Representatives, to inquire into the 
 affairs of the District of Columbia. The principal charges of 
 the memorialists, headed by W. W. Corcoran, were that un- 
 lawful contracts had been made for public improvements in 
 the District of Columbia ; that unlawful assessments of taxes 
 had been levied; that false measurements had been made; 
 and that the debt had been unnecessarily increased. 
 
 The committee, after an investigation consuming over three 
 months, unanimously arrived at the conclusion that the then 
 existing form of government of the District of Columbia was 
 n failure; that it was too cumbrous and expensive; that it 
 was wanting in sufficient safeguards against maladministra- 
 tion and the creation of indebtedness. The act of June 20, 
 1874. based upon the recommendations of the committee, 
 abolished the territorial form, alone retaining the Board of 
 Health, and provided a provisional government of three Com- 
 missioners until a permanent one was devised by Congress. 
 This is now being done. 
 
 A notorious act, growing out of the troubles between the 
 memorialists and the government of the District of Col umbia, 
 led to another investigation, on a joint resolution of Congress. 
 
POPULATION. 
 
 9 
 
 May 5, 1874, to inquire whether any officers in the employ- 
 ment of the United States or of the District of Columbia were 
 engaged in a conspiracy to defeat or hinder the investigations 
 ordered by Congress into the affairs of the District, and par- 
 ticularly the circumstances connected with the robbery of 
 the safe in the office of the United States attorney for the 
 District of Columbia. The committee reported that they 
 were satisfied that one of the objects of the burglary was to 
 falsely implicate certain individuals among the memorialists, 
 but were unable to determine who were the conspirators, 
 and directed that the evidence be turned over to the Secre- 
 tary of the Treasury and Attorney General for their informa- 
 tion. Criminal prosecutions were ordered. Upon a trial of 
 the case the jury failed to agree, and the government entered 
 a nolle pros. 
 
 The judicial courts of the District are subject to the legisla- 
 tive action of Congress only. 
 
 The salaries of all officers appointed by the President are 
 paid by the U. S. ; all others by the District. The new District 
 government went into operation June 1, 1871. 
 
 Finances, estimated upon the tax levy for the fiscal year 
 ending June 30, 1874: 
 
 Assessed valuation of real estate in the District of Colum- 
 bia, 896,433,072, viz : Washington, $80,539,782 ; Georgetown, 
 $6,272,010 ; County of Washington, $9,621,280. Total actual 
 valuation, $200,000,000. Revenue: Taxes, $1,888,252 06; 
 other sources, $200,000 ; total, $2,088,252 06. Rate of tax on 
 $100 : Washington, $2 00 ; Georgetown, $2 00 ; County, $1 58. 
 
 The act of Congress of 1874, abolishing the territorial gov- 
 ernment established in 1871, also embraced provisions for a 
 thorough examination of the financial condition of the Dis- 
 trict of Columbia and accounts of the Board of Public Works. 
 This work has been carefully performed by a Board of Audit 
 and reported to Congress. 
 
 The bonded debt existing Nov. 1, 1S73, was as follows : 
 District of Columbia, $5,522,350; late Corporation of Wash- 
 ington, $4,127,584 22 ; late Corporation of Georgetown, $252,- 
 316 96 : total, $9,902,251 18. Congress limits the amount of 
 debt that may be incurred by the District to $10,000,000. 
 
 Population. — The population of the District, inclusive of 
 the County of Alexandria up to 1840, and exclusive after, 
 during each decade since its occupation bv the Government, 
 was, 1800, 14,093; 1810,24,023; 1820,33,039; 1830, 39,834; 
 1840, 43,712; 1850, 51,687; 1860, 75.080; 1870, 131,700. 
 
 Classified, 1870 : White, 88,278 ; colored, 43,404; Chinese, 
 3 ; Indian, 15 ; male, 62,192 ; female, 69,508 ; native, 1 15.146 ; 
 
10 
 
 INDUSTRY AND WEALTH. 
 
 foreign born, 10,254 ; native of District of Columbia, 52,340 ; 
 of other States, G3,106. Of foreign countries, 16,254, viz : 
 Ireland, 8,218 ; Germany, 4,920 : England, 1,422 ; Scotland, 
 352; British America, 290; France, 231; Italy, 182; all 
 other foreign countries, 639. 
 
 By civil divisions, 1870 : Washington, 109,199 ; George- 
 town, 11,384; countv, 11,117. 
 
 Slave population :"l800, 3,244 ; 1810, 5,395 ; 1820, 6,377; 
 1830, 6,119; 1840, 4,694; 1850, 3,687; 1860, 3,185; 1870, 
 none. 
 
 Total, exclusive of Alexandria County : 1800, 8,144 ; 1810, 
 15,471; 1820, 23,336; 1830,30,261; and 1840, 33,745 subse- 
 quently, as above. 
 
 The increase to 131,700 during the decade ending in 1870 
 indicates an unusually rapid growth. This will be further 
 promoted, as the disposition already manifested by citizens of 
 means in all parts of the country to make the National Capi- 
 tal a place of winter resort increases. 
 
 Miscellaneous Statistics, 1870. — Area, 64 sq. m . ; persons to 
 a sq. m., 2,057.81. Families, 25,276; persons to a family, 
 5.21. Dwellings, 23,308 ; persons to a dwelling 5.65. Per- 
 sons in each class of occupations : Agriculture, 1,365 ; male, 
 1,350 ; female, 15. Professional and personal services, 29,845 ; 
 male, 17,927 ; female, 11,918. Trade and transportation, 
 6,126; male, 5,852 ; female, 274. Manufacture, mechanical, 
 and mining, 11,705; male, 10,071; female, 1,634. Other 
 statistical information will be found under appropriate heads. 
 
 Vital Statistics. -The District is situated in one of the health- 
 iest regions in the country. Notwithstanding the large num- 
 ber of strangers constantly arriving in the city and the 
 irregular habits of a large proportion, the average death-rate 
 compares favorably with other sections. The census of 1870 
 shows the following results: Oregon, 1 death to 146 popula- 
 tion, the most favorable ; Minnesota, 1 to 124; New Hamp- 
 shire, 1 to 74 ; Pennsylvania, 1 to 66 ; District of Columbia, 1 
 to 65 ; California, 1 to 62 ; Missouri, 1 to 61 ; Massachusetts, 1 
 to 56 ; Louisiana, 1 to 50. The percentage of deaths to pop- 
 ulation in the District is 1.53. The aggregate number of 
 deaths in 1870 was 2,015: males, 1,065; females, 950; ag- 
 gregate population, 131,700. Of the deaths, 929 died under 
 the age of 5 years. The principal diseases are pulmonary 
 and fevers, in particular localities. The fevers are generally 
 intermitting and bilious. 
 
 Industry and Wealth, 1870,— Valuation of Property, $74,- 
 271,693; assessed real, $71,437,468; personal, $2,834,225. 
 
12 
 
 GEOLOGY. 
 
 True value, real and personal, $126,873,618. This is exclu- 
 sive of the property of the General Government. Taxation, 
 not national, total $1,581,569 ; county, $49,975 ; city, $1,531,- 
 594 ; 1860, total $260,218 ; 1870, public debt, not national, 
 $2,596,545. Agriculture: Acres improved, 8,266 ; woodland, 
 2,428 ; other unimproved, 983 ; .value of farms, $3,800,230 ; 
 implements, &c. $39,450 ; value of productions, betterments, 
 and additions to stock, $319,517. In 1860 there were 17,474 
 acres improved and 16,789 unimproved, with a value of but 
 $2,989,267. Manufactures : Establishments, 952 ; capital, 
 $5,021,925; products, $9,292,173. In 1860 there were but 
 429 establishments, with capital $2,905,865, and products 
 $5,412,102. JSTo mining or established fisheries. 
 
 Agriculture. — The cereals and other crops of the 1ST. belt 
 of the N. temperate zone are cultivated with success in the 
 District of Columbia. Fruits and vegetables in great variety 
 are also grown. The markets of the capital are abundantly 
 supplied from the vicinity, and rank with, if they do not ex- 
 >cel, the finest in other parts of the United States. 
 
 Topography. — The District of Columbia presents a pleasing 
 variety of landscape. On the shores of the Potomac, towards 
 the NW., the outlying spurs of the Blue Ridge range of the 
 Appalachian chain approach the city, and form the wild and 
 romantic scenery of rugged rocky hills and deep valleys along 
 the Potomac at the Little and Great Falls. The remainder 
 of the District consists of sweeping and graceful undulations. 
 The Potomac, from the NW., and the Anacostia, from the 
 NE., unite their currents about the centre of the original 
 bounds of the District, from which point the main river flows 
 in a southerly direction, until it passes the line. A number 
 of smaller streams, including Rock and Tiber Creeks, which 
 water all parts of the District, find their outlets into the Po- 
 tomac or Anacostia. 
 
 Geology. — The soil of the District bordering the Potomac 
 is alluvial, formed by the rich deposits of the river, brought 
 down from the mountains. The elevated lands consist almost 
 exclusively of yellow clay, interspersed with sand and gravel. 
 Occasionally a mixture of loam and clay is met with. Rock 
 Creek divides the primitive from the alluvial soil. Above 
 Rock Creek the shores of the Potomac are lined with primi- 
 tive rocks. Shortly after leaving the District the red sand- 
 stone appears. In some parts the stone frequently contains 
 leaves of trees and ligneous fragments. A species of gneiss, 
 composed of feldspar, quartz, and mica, is also abundant, and 
 constitutes the underlying rock of the entire District. 
 
ORNITHOLOGY. 
 
 13 
 
 Mineralogy. — The mineralogy of the District is thus stated 
 by Mr. Robinson, in his Catalogue : 
 
 Flint, on the shores of the Eastern Branch of the Poto- 
 mac, near the Navy Yard, in small nodules. 
 
 Hornestone, containing organic remains. 
 
 Agatized Wood, woodstone, three miles north from Wash- 
 ington, sometimes invested with minute crystals of quartz, 
 fine specimens, and abundant. 
 
 Schorl, in Georgetown, in gneiss. 
 
 Lignite and pVritical Fossil W^ood, found abund- 
 antly in digging wells. 
 
 Iron Ore, in the vicinity of the woodstone locality, in de- 
 tached masses, on the surface. Organic remains in sandstone 
 abundant. 
 
 Botany. — A list of the plants indigenous to the District of 
 Columbia, prepared by J. A. Brereton, in 1822, from the ma- 
 terial collected under the auspices of the Washington Botan- 
 ical Societjr, and entitled Florida Columbiana, presents 22 
 classes and 288 varieties, following the Linnasan classification. 
 Of the more familiar varieties found are the oak, (several va- 
 rieties,) button- wood, red maple, sassafras, alder, mountain 
 ash, linden, catalpa, locust, chestnut, tulip, horehound, pen- 
 nyroyal, dogwood, blue-eyed grass, violet, wild honeysuckle, 
 fox grape, Indian tobacco, mullien, wild sweet potato, night- 
 shade, chickweed, touch-me-not, dog's bane, spiderwort, elder, 
 sumac, calamus, superb lily, hellebore, free primrose, ground 
 laurel, laurel, whortleberry, wild indigo, wild pink, cockle, 
 poke, strawberry, dewberry, blackberry, sweet brier, May 
 apple, columbine, ground ivy, motherwort, catnip, trumpet 
 creeper, water-cress, wild pepper-grass, passion flower, crow- 
 foot geranium, snakeroot, pea vine, wild potato vine, dande- 
 lion, thistle, wild lettuce, sunflower, ladies' slipper, sedge, 
 nettle, burdock, hog weed, Indian turnip, cucumber. 
 
 Zoology. — The animals native to the region embraced within 
 and contiguous to the District of Columbia in primitive times 
 resorted to this vicinity in large numbers to feed upon the rich 
 pastures found upon the alluvial banks of the Potomac. 
 Among these were several varieties of deer. There were also 
 panther, black bear, wild cat, wolves, red and gray foxes, 
 rabbits, beaver, raccoon, opossum, squirrels, (several varieties,) 
 field mice. The larger species are exterminated. The num- 
 ber of species of all kinds is stated at 42. 
 
 Ornithology. — The feathered kingdom is well represent- 
 ed. Jefferson, in his Notes on Virginia, speaks of 100 vari- 
 eties of birds, most of which doubtless were found in the 
 
14 
 
 CLIMATE. 
 
 District. The wild turkey was found in great numbers. 
 The canvas-back duck, which in early days resorted to the 
 vicinity of Analostan Island, is yet met with in the estu- 
 aries of the streams below the city; also the wild goose, 
 swan, mallard, blue-winged teal, widgeon, and other spe- 
 cies. In the swamps are found snipe, rail, blackbirds, 
 and reed-birds. The country generally abounds in quail. 
 The hunting of feathered game is restricted by law. The 
 autumn months generally constitute the season. The car- 
 dinal grosbeak, mocking-bird, sparrow, linnet, yellow-bird, 
 thrush, sand-piper, king-fisher, and heron are also met with. 
 The number of species of all kinds is stated at 236. 
 
 Ichthyology — The Potomac, within the District, is stocked 
 with fish in great numbers, some of which are of the finest 
 varieties. Those best known are the sturgeon, (weight from 
 40 to 150 lbs.,) rock fish, (from 1 to 75 lbs.,) shad, bass, gar, 
 eel, (three varieties,) carp, herring, pike, perch, (four varie- 
 ties,) catfish, mullet, (three varieties,) and smelt. The shad 
 of the Potomac are of excellent quality. In the season they 
 are very abundant, and may be seen caught on the Virginia 
 shore opposite the city; also large quantities of herring are 
 •caught below the city. The laws of Maryland, as early as 
 1768, provided for the protection of the fish. Subsequent 
 acts placed a heavy penalty upon the destruction of young 
 fish by weirs and dams, and to prevent beating with cords or 
 poles at certain seasons of the year. A species of shark also 
 ascends to the city. 
 
 Herpetology, — There are about 50 species of reptiles. Of 
 turtles and lizards there are several varieties. There are 
 about 20 species of serpents, including the rattle, copperhead, 
 black, garter, water, green snakes, and vipers. 
 
 Climate. — The climate of the District of Columbia is gen- 
 erally salubrious, though subject to sudden changes, particu- 
 larly in spring The means for a series of years, compiled 
 at the office of the Chief Signal Officer (Reports for the 
 benefit of commerce), indicate these general conditions of the 
 atmosphere: Mean temperature, minimum, 7° to 9° Fah- 
 renheit, maximum, 95° to 102°.5 ; mean Barometer, min., 
 29.08 to 29.35 inches, max., 30.63 to 30.82; Rain Fall, max., 
 5.8 inches to 7.8 in.; Prevailing winds, northwest. The 
 hottest months are July and August, and the coldest De- 
 cember and February. Sleighing is rare. In summer storms, 
 attended with excessive lightning and thunder, are frequent. 
 In the winter of 1874-5 navigation on the Potomac was 
 entirely suspended for several weeks on account of the ice. 
 
4SEy QDEQdoc uuan^ 
 
 3QE 
 
 HIS 
 
 WASHINGTON^ 
 
 1876. 
 
 COMPIfJ!D EXPHEBSI.Y KOlt, 
 
 KEIM'S HAND-BOOK 
 
 Waihiagton and its Environs, 
 
 VIRGINIA 
 
 r /»!iJH!aE-j iJia 4M LJ — » UI ^ 
 
 sgaaixfi 
 
 □□□DoBsgg 
 Baa 
 
 !□□[ 
 
 i Capitol. 
 i President's House. 
 ; Department of State. 
 
 4 Treasury Department. 
 
 5 War Department. 
 
 6 Navy Department. 
 
 7 Interior Department. 
 
 8 General Post Office. 
 
 9 Department of Justice. 
 io Department of Agricultui 
 n Observatory. 
 12 Arsenal, 
 ij Navy Yard. 
 
 14 Marine Barracks. 
 
 15 City Hall. 
 
 16 Jail, 
 o^- 17 Asylum. 
 
 REFERENCES. 
 
 18 Centre Market. 
 
 19 Smithsonian Institution. 
 10 Washington Monument 
 21 Statue of Washington. 
 12 Grcenough's Washingtor 
 2} Statute of Jackson. 
 
 24 Corcoran Gallery of Art. 
 
 25 Botanical Garden. 
 
 26 Magazines. 
 
 27 Naval Hospital. 
 
 28 Statue of Scott 
 
 29 Medical Museum. 
 
 Winder 
 
 , Utul.i 
 
 □□aaacp&cik. 
 
 3} Congressional Ce 
 
 ng. 
 
 JD0| 
 
 agjat^ a °2r5aaaEi£3Bga Si 
 
 nr— 1 dDQLZSe^ 
 
 □1 
 
 ED 
 JDPODQE 
 
 lays; 
 
 Il7 
 
 »1 
 
 UNIONWWN 
 
 MARYLAND 
 
SECTION II. 
 DESCRIPTION OF THE CITY. 
 
 AVEXUES, SQUAEES, STATUES, &C. 
 
 *%^=^^jHERE are three points within the city from which 
 tiw finest views of Washington may be obtained: 
 * 1st. The Dome of the Capitol. 2d. The West Por- 
 tico of the Capitol, reached through the central hall 
 of the Library of the United States. 3d. The higher 
 of the north central towers of the Smithsonian In- 
 stitution. Outside of the city the best points are from the 
 tower of the Government Hospital for the Insane, beyond 
 the Anacostia, and the portico of Arlington House, beyond 
 the Potomac. The stranger should not fail to take advan- 
 tage of at least one of these opportunities, and all would 
 amply repay him. With the aid of this Hand-book and 
 map he will thus be able to form a perfect idea of the city 
 and the location of the principal public buildings., 
 
 Topography. — The site of Washington covers an undulat- 
 ing tract, which lies along the left or E. bank of the Potomac 
 River, between Rock Creek and the Anacostia. From the 
 rugged elevations on the banks of Rock Creek a crescent- 
 shaped ridge crosses the northern portions of the city. About 
 two thirds its length it suddenly parts, to allow the fitful cur- 
 rent of the Tiber through. From that point it rises and 
 spreads out into the expansive plateau of Capitol Hill, which 
 overlooks the Anacostia on the E. Within this encircling 
 ridge the surface falls away in terraces and gentle slopes to 
 the banks of the Potomac. In different parts of the city are 
 eminences which afford commanding situations for the public 
 buildings. 
 
 From the lower falls of the Potomac at Georgetown, where 
 the outlying spurs of the Blue Ridge Mountains give the face 
 of nature a somewhat rugged appearance, a chain of low, 
 wooded hills range on the N*., and continuing on the op- 
 posite shores of the Anacostia and Potomac, merge again in 
 the hills on the Virginia side. These give the appearance of 
 a vast ampitheatre, in the centre of which stands the city. 
 
 The mean altitude of the city is about 40 ft. above the or- 
 15 
 
10 
 
 PLAN OF THE CUT. 
 
 dinary low tide in the Potomac opposite. The more impor- 
 tant elevations, according to levels taken by Brev. Lieut. Col. 
 George W. Hughes, Corps of Topographical Engineers, in 
 1850, are as follows : 
 
 Foundation of St. John's Church, NE. corner of 16th 
 and H sts. NW., opposite Lafayette Square and the Presi- 
 dent's House, 65.50 ft. 
 
 Corner of I and 19th sts. NW., 82.10 ft. 
 
 East base of Capitol, 89.50 ft. 
 
 Base of Naval Observatory, 96.20 ft. 
 
 Corner of N and 11th sts. W., (highest point in the citv,) 
 103.70 ft. 
 
 The soil upon which the city is bnilt is generally a yellow- 
 ish clay, mixed with gravel. In digging wells near New Jer- 
 sey av. trees well preserved were found at a depth of from 6 
 to 48 ft. At one point a stratum of black mud was discov- 
 ered at a depth of 18 ft. 
 
 The Tiber — so named more than a century before Wash- 
 ington was founded, in the belief, it is said, that some day 
 upon its banks would rise a capital greater than Koine, like 
 its historic and larger namesake — runs through the city, di- 
 viding it into two parts. Its fountain streams rise in the 
 hills to the N., and enter the city in several branches, the 
 principal one in the vicinity of 1st st. W. ; it then pursues a 
 SE. and S. course, till it crosses Massachusetts av., when it 
 winds off to the SW. around the NW. base of Capitol Hill 
 and across Pennsylvania av. and the Botanical Garden. 
 Originally its course continued along the Mall and emptied 
 into the Potomac immediately W. of the Washington Mon- 
 ument. Subsequently it was diverted into the Washington 
 Canal at 3d st. W., which followed the line of B st. N. along 
 the N. borders of the Mall. The filling of the canal led to 
 further changes. The Tiber and its tributaries have since 
 been utilized by diverting them into the sewerage system of 
 the central and southern portions of the city; hen<M\, although 
 the stream traverses one of the most populous sections, its 
 course is not traceable, the current flowing beneath heavy 
 brick arches, upon which buildings have been erected and 
 avenues, streets, and parks laid out. In primitive days the 
 banks of the Tiber were lined with forests, and shad and her- 
 ring in their season were caught in its waters, under the very 
 shadow of the hill where the Capitol now stands. 
 
 Plan of the City. — The plan of Washington was prepared 
 in 1791 by Peter Charles L'Enfant, a French engineer of 
 noticeable genius but eccentric habits, who had served in the 
 Continental Army with sufficient distinction to attract the 
 
PKOIOSED EMBELLISHMENTS. 
 
 17 
 
 attention of Washington. In the work he was gieatly as- 
 sisted by the advice of Thomas Jefferson, who, when diplo- 
 matic representative of the United States at foreign courts, 
 had, with an intuitive vision of the wants of the future, stud- 
 ied the plans of the cities of Europe visited by him, and was 
 competent and prepared, with the aid of plans and his per- 
 sonal knowledge of their details, to contribute an invaluable 
 amount of information on this important subject. The plan 
 adopted combines the artistic beauty and grace of Versailles 
 and the practical advantages of Babylon, revived by William 
 Penn in Philadelphia. In the conception of the plan, the 
 predominating object was to secure positions for the different 
 public edifices ; also squares and areas of different shapes, 
 which would afford fine prospects. The avenues were in- 
 tended to connect the most distant parts with certain princi- 
 pal central points, to insure a reciprocity of views. Lines 1ST. 
 and S., intersected by others running E. and W., were to 
 divide the city into streets and squares. These lines were to 
 be so combined as to intersect at certain given points another 
 set of divergent avenues, so as to form on the open spaces. 
 E very grand transverse avenue and every principal divergent 
 one, such as from the Capitol to the President's House, was 
 to be 160 ft. wide, laid out with 10 ft. sidewalks and 30 ft. of 
 gravel- walk, planted with trees on either side, and 80 ft. of 
 carriageway in the centre. The other avenues and streets 
 leading to public buildings or markets were to be 130 ft. wide, 
 and others 110 and 90 ft. 
 
 Its Execution, — The site for the Capitol was determined 
 upon as the initial point in execution of this plan. That im- 
 portant question having been decided, Mr. Ellicott drew a true 
 meridian line by celestial observation, which passed through 
 the area intended for the Capitol. This he crossed by another, 
 a due E . and W. line, which passed through the same area. 
 These lines were accurately measured, and formed the basis 
 on which the whole plan was executed. All these lines were 
 run by a transit instrument, and the acute angles were deter- 
 mined by actual measurement, leaving nothing to the uncer- 
 tainty of the compass. The avenues and streets were then 
 laid down. 
 
 Proposed Embellishments. — The ideas of the projectors not 
 only contemplated a Federal City capable of great expan- 
 sion, but also took in its creditable embellishment. Although 
 the want of means and the general apathy of the Government 
 and people allowed these suggestions to pass unrecognized, 
 it is interesting to observe that the disgraceful and neglected 
 condition of the Capital of the United States for nearly three 
 2 
 
18 
 
 PROPOSED EMBELLISHMENTS. 
 
 quarters of a century was not owing to any imperfections in 
 the original plans. Directly S. of the President's House, in 
 the triangular space between the Mall and the Potomac and 
 the mouth of the Tiber, where the unfinished and neglected 
 Obelisk to the memory of Washington has stood for over a 
 quarter of a century, was located the site for the Equestrian 
 Statue of Washington, voted by the Continental Congress in 
 1783. On E. Capitol St., between 11th and 13th sts. E., and 
 about the centre of the high plateau between the Capital and 
 the Anacostia, where four avenues intersected, was laid out a 
 spacious square, in which was to be erected a Historic Column, 
 to be used also as a Mile or Itinerary Column, from which sta- 
 tion it was intended to calculate the distances to all places 
 within the United States and on the continent. This column 
 would have answered the purpose of the celebrated Niphon- 
 Bass or Bridge of Japan, situated in the Soto-Siro, or outside 
 of the castle in Yeddo. This bridge is considered as the cen- 
 tre of the empire. From it the Tocaido extends to all parts 
 of the empire, and geographical distances are computed. At 
 the foot of 8th st. W., immediately on the banks of the Poto- 
 mac, and commanding- a fine view of the widening reach of 
 the river below, was to be erected a Naval Itinerary Column, 
 to celebrate the first rise of the ]STavy, and 64 to stand a ready 
 monument to consecrate its progress and achievements." The 
 crest of the knoll on which the Patent Office now stands was 
 set apart for a National Church and Mausoleum, designed for 
 the use of the Government on occasions of public prayer, 
 thanksgivings, state funerals and orations, and for any other 
 purpose national in character. The edifice was to be assigned 
 to the special use of no particular sect or denomination, but 
 to be equally open to all. It was also to be the place for such 
 monumental or other tributes of a grateful country voted by 
 the then late Continental Congress for those heroes who fell 
 in the cause of liberty, and for such others as might be decreed 
 a place there by the voice of the nation. Also, five grand 
 Fountains were to be erected at different prominent points: 
 one S. of the Capitol, in the large irregular space formed by 
 the intersection of Virginia and North and South Carolina 
 avs.; one on Maryland av., at the intersection of F and 11th 
 sts. 1STE. ; one at the intersection of Pennsylvania and Lou- 
 isiana avs., near the present site of the Centre Market; one 
 on New York av., at the intersection of I st., between 11th 
 and 12th sts. NW.; and one on the N. side of Pennsylvania av. t 
 at the intersection of I st., between 20th and 21st sts. NW, 
 It was proposed to supply these fountains from the spring* 
 and streams within the limits of the city. Between the Capi- 
 tol and the Botanical Garden it wa§ intended to construct i 
 
ORIGIN OF THE PLAN. 
 
 19 
 
 Grand Cascade^ to be feci from the Tiber. Between Pennsyl- 
 vania and Maryland avs., from 3d st. W., a space of 1,200 
 ft. was laid down as the main approach to the " Federal 
 House" or Capitol, and by which it was intended to reach 
 the upper square of the u Federal House." The Mall was to 
 form a grand avenue, 400 ft. wide and about 1 m. in length, 
 bordered with gardens, to lead to the Equestrian Statue of 
 Washington, or where the Monument now stands, and 
 to connect the "Congress Garden with the President's 
 Park." On E. Capitol st., which was to be 160 ft. wide 
 to the proposed bridge across the Anacostia, the pavement 
 on each side was to pass under archways, with shops. On 
 the S. of the President's Park was to be a well-improved 
 "Field, 1,800 ft. wide and | m. long," part of the "Walk" 
 from the President's House. This spacious reservation was 
 designed for the more elegant houses and gardens of the city, 
 to be used by diplomatic or other foreign representatives and 
 prominent officials of the United States. Fifteen squares in 
 the more conspicuous parts of the city were to be distributed 
 among the States in the Union, for them to improve, or to 
 subscribe a sum in addition to the value of the land for that 
 purpose. The States were to embellish these squares within 
 a limited time, by the erection of some appropriate statue, 
 column, obelisk, or other appropriate mark, as they might 
 determine, to the memory of the heroes of the Revolution, " to 
 inspire the young," and designed to "leave a grand idea of 
 patriotic interest." Other designated points were to be set 
 apart for the erection, by the different denominations, of 
 edifices for religious worship, No burial places were to be 
 allowed within the limits of the city. Also squares and areas 
 unappropriated were to be assigned for the uses of colleges 
 and other institutions. All dwellings or other structures 
 were to be built in accordance with certain regulations, so as 
 to preserve uniformity. 
 
 Origin of the Plan. — The resemblance between the plans 
 of L'Enfant for Washington and L'Xotre for Versailles will 
 be apparent to any one who has visited the capital of the 
 Western Republic and the magnificent royal residence of 
 fiie kings of France. The grand avenues de Sceaux and de 
 St. Cloud, diverging from the Cour Royale, are reproduced 
 in Pennsylvania and Maryland avs., radiating from the E. 
 front of the Capitol ; E. Capitol st. is the Avenue de Paris; 
 the Boulevard du Roi and the Allee du Potager in and 
 S. Capitol sts. ; and the Allees de la Reine, de Noisy, des 
 Paons, and de la Reine, which diverge from the E. extrem- 
 ity of the Grand Canal, near the Basin d'Apollon, with the 
 
20 
 
 A RETROSPECT. 
 
 omission of Allee de la Peine to the SW., respectively, in 
 Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and New York avs. W. of the 
 President's House. The missing avenue in the plan of 
 Washington, the continuation of Vermont av., would have 
 completed the resemblance, but for the interference of na- 
 ture : the Potomac and the mouth of the Tiber standing 
 in the way of the extension SW. of the President's House. 
 Other striking features of the design of Versailles are observ- 
 able. Washington, however, having in view the practical as 
 well as the beautiful, might be saicf to combine the plans of 
 two cities. The streets running at right angles have a regard 
 for the facilities of business. While over these, with an eye 
 to beautiful prospects and the advantageous display of the 
 centres of attraction, at long ranges are laid the broad ave- 
 nues, carrefours, allees, and lawns of the imperial retreat at 
 Versailles.' 
 
 A Eetrospect. — Though the city was originally laid out on 
 a scale adequate to the necessities of a metropolis of more than 
 half a million inhabitants, and with the proper regard for the 
 adornment of the Capital of a great people in the future, the 
 crude ideas entertained by subsequent statesmen respecting 
 the political status of the Federal Territory and city were ad- 
 verse to any expenditure other than to establish there a sim- 
 ple place of meeting for the representatives of the States — a 
 sort of central agency, where the President and Executive 
 officers might be stationed, and where Congress might come 
 once a year or of tener, as the exigencies of the times required, 
 to transact the business intrusted to them by the Constitu- 
 tion — mainly to pass laws, appropriate money, levy taxes, 
 declare war, ratify treaties, and confirm nominations. This 
 class, then in the ascendancy, found it impossible, or were un- 
 willing, to see anything national in the foundation of a Fed- 
 eral Capital, and consequently opposed every measure look- 
 ing beyond the mere provision of accommodations for the 
 public offices. To build a capital in every sense symbolic 
 and worthy of the Union was entirely foreign to their inter- 
 pretation of the meaning of that portion of the Constitution 
 which gave Congress the power to accept and exercise exclu- 
 sive jurisdiction over a Territory to be solely devoted to the 
 uses of the nation for the purposes of the Government. These 
 notions, it would seem, were a revival of a practice in Ger- 
 many centuries ago. On the left bank of the Rhine, imme- 
 diately below the ancient village of Rhense, on the very brink 
 of the stream, and apart from the habitations of men, is still 
 to be seen the famous though rude rostrum or temple known 
 as the Koenigsstuhl. It consists of stone seats, within a small 
 
RESERVATIONS. 
 
 21 
 
 circular wall, and overhead entirely open to the air. Here, 
 in the earlier ages, the German electors assembled to deliber- 
 ate upon the affairs of the empire, to perform acts for the 
 common good, to make treaties, and to nominate or depose 
 the emperors. Washington, by the class alluded to, was 
 viewed in the light of the Koenigsstuhl of the United States. 
 More mature thought, however, at last brought the people to 
 look upon their capital as the political metropolis of the United 
 States. This enlightened view is recent, dating no farther 
 back than 1861. It was not till 1870 that the march of much- 
 needed improvement commenced. With this new state of 
 affairs the Capital is annually becoming more worthy of the 
 greatness of the Eepublic of forty millions of people. 
 
 Keservations. — In the plan of the city a liberal allowance 
 of space was selected and marked out in the most desirable 
 localities for the sites of public buildings, parks, and for other 
 purposes of the Government. These grounds were called res- 
 
 THE MALL. 
 
 ervations, and were numbered from 1 to 17, with an aggregate 
 area of 541 acres, 1 rood, 29 perches. Those still possessed 
 by the Government — several having been sold or granted 
 away since — are designated on the maps by their original 
 numbers, but are popularly called after the principal build- 
 
22 
 
 RESERVATIONS. 
 
 iug situated on them, or from the uses to which assigned, as 
 follows : 
 
 1. The President's Grounds include the JSf. and S. 
 Parks and Lafayette Square, extend from H st. on the X. 
 to the mouth of Tiber Creek on the S., and from loth to 17th 
 sts. W., with the exception of a square in the NE. and NW. 
 angles. On these grounds are the President's House, con- 
 servatories, and stables, flanked on the E. by the Treasury 
 Department, and on the W. by the State, War, and Navy 
 Departments. The former now building. Total area of 
 grounds, 83 a. 1 r. 22 p. 
 
 2. The Capitol Grounds include the E. and W. Parks 
 and the Mall, extending from 1st st. E. to the prolongation 
 of 15th st. W., and between B sts. N. and S., with the excep- 
 tion of a narrow connecting strip between 3d and 6th sts. W. 
 This deficient portion of the Mall in 1822 was granted by Con- 
 gress to the municipal corporation, to be sold in lots, to pay 
 the expense of removing the old canal from its location on 
 the S. side of Pennsylvania av., between 3d and 6th sts. W., 
 to the middle of the Mall. On these grounds are the Capitol, 
 Botanical Garden, the Smithsonian Institution, and the Ag- 
 ricultural Department. Total area of grounds originally, 
 227 a. 0 r. 8 p. Under authority of Congress, in 1872, squares 
 No. 687 and 688, in the NE. and SE. angles of the E. Park, 
 were purchased and thrown into the grounds. 
 
 3. The Park extends from the W. line of the Mall, on 15th 
 st. W., to the banks of the Potomac, and is separated from 
 the S. gardens of the President's Grounds by B st. N., form- 
 erly the line of the Tiber Creek and the Washington Canal. 
 The old channel of the Tiber entered the Potomac on the 
 NW. border of this reservation. These grounds are occupied 
 bv the Washington Monument and the Government Nurse- 
 ries. Total area, 29 a. 3 r. 9 p. 
 
 4. The University Square extends from E st. N. to the 
 banks of tiie Potomac, and between 23d and 25th sts. NW. 
 On these grounds is the Naval Observatory. Total area, 21 
 a. 0 r. 18 p. 
 
 5. The Arsenal. Grounds, foot of 4J st. W., originally 
 included the point of land at the confluence of the Anacostia 
 and Potomac, from Greenleaf 's Point to T st. S., and between 
 the month of James Creek and the line of 3d st. W. to the Po- 
 tomac. Total area, 28 a. 2 r. 31 p. This reservation in 1857 
 was extended by the purchase of the land between the line 
 of the canal into James Creek and W. to the Potomac and 
 N. to P st. S. 
 
 6. The W t est Market Square, on the Potomac, at the 
 foot of 20th and 21st sts. W. covered with water. 
 
RESERVATIONS. 
 
 23 
 
 7. The Centre Market Square, between the point of 
 intersection of Pennsylvania and Louisiana avs. on the N. 
 and B st. N. on the S., and from 7th to 9th sts. W. Total 
 area, 2 a. 3 r. 29 p. This reservation in 1860 was granted to 
 the corporation for the use originally designed, and is occu- 
 pied by the principal market in the city. 
 
 8. The National Church Square, between 7th and 
 9th sts. W. and F and G sts. N., now occupied by the Patent 
 Office. Area, 4 a. 0 r. 22 p. 
 
 9. Judiciary Square, between the intersection of Indi- 
 ana and Louisiana avs. on the S. and G st. N. on the N. and 
 4th and 5th sts. W., occupied by the City Hall and Jail. Area, 
 19 a. 1 r. 27 p. In 1819 a portion of this reservation w^as 
 granted by Congress to the corporation for a Town House or 
 City Hall. In 1845 another portion was granted for Public 
 School purposes. 
 
 10. Eeservation N. of Pennsylvania av., between 3d 
 and 4J sts. W., in 1822, was granted by Congress to the cor- 
 poration, to be sold in lots, to pay for the removal of the canal, 
 which then ran along the S. side of Pennsylvania av. to the 
 centre of the Mall, from 3d to 6th sts. W., and to fill up the low 
 grounds in that vicinity. Total area, 6 a. 0 r. 31 p. 
 
 11. Eeservation between B and C sts. 1ST. and 2d and 
 3d sts. W. Total area, 3 a. 2 r. 34 p. Disposed of same as 
 reservation No. 10. 
 
 12. Reservation N. of Pennsylvania av., between 2d 
 and 3d sts. W. Total area, 1 a. 1 r. 4 p. Disposed of same 
 as reservations Nos. 10 and 11. 
 
 13. Hospital Square, from the Anacostia to 19th st. E. 
 and between B and G sts. S. Total area, 77 a. 0 r. 26 p. On 
 this square stands the Magazine, Alms House, and new Jail. 
 
 14. The Navy Yard, bounded by M st. S. on the N., 
 the Anacostia on the S., and lies between the continuation of 
 6th and 9th sts. E. Total area, 12 a. 3 r. 15 p. On these 
 grounds are the buildings, docks, ship-houses, and works of 
 the Washington Navy Yard. 
 
 15 and 16. Eastern Market House Squares, near the 
 Navy Yard. These reservations were granted by Congress 
 to the municipal corporation for the purpose stated. Area, 
 No. 15, 1 a. 0 r. 21 p. ; No. 16, 1 a. 0 r. 23 p. 
 
 17. Town House Square, the irregular space S. of the 
 Capitol, between S. Capitol st. and 3d st. E. and E and H 
 sts. S., intersected by New Jersey and Virginia avs. Total 
 area, 21 a. 1 r. 29 p. 
 
 The aggregate area of the public reservations in the city, 
 deducting those disposed of, correction of errors, and modifi- 
 cations, is 513 acres. 
 
24 
 
 AVENUES. 
 
 In 1812 the President of the United States was authorized 
 to take possession of the whole of the public reservations, and 
 to lease them out for not exceeding ten years, on such terms 
 and conditions as in his judgment might best effect their im- 
 provement for walks, botanic gardens, or other public pur- 
 poses. 
 
 A detailed description of the reservations occupied by the 
 Government will be found in connection with the public 
 buildings or their other designating feature . 
 
 Avenues. — The avenues and streets nave an aggregate 
 length of 264 m. — avenues 65 m., street* 199 m. — and are of 
 greater width than those of any other city in the world. 
 With the allej^s and open spaces at intersections they cover 
 2,554 a., or about two thirds of the area of the entire city. 
 The ratio of street areas to areas of three of the principal 
 cities in the United States and the same number in Europe 
 is : Paris, France, 25.8 per cent. ; Berlin, Prussia, 26.4 per 
 cent. ; Boston, United States, 26.7 per cent. ; Philadelphia, 
 United States, 29.8 per cent.; New York, United States, 
 35.3 per cent. ;„ Vienna, Austria, 35.8 per cent.; Washing- 
 ton, United States, 41.8 per cent. The carriageways of the 
 avenues and streets are well laid, with a variety of pavements, 
 amounting to over 115 in. Nov. 1, 1872, in the following pro- 
 portions : Wood, 34.71 in. ; round block, 5.05 m. ; compound 
 wood and concrete, 0.87 m. ; concrete, 16.34 m. ; Belgian and 
 granite, 4.01 m. ; cobblestone, 6.76 m. ; macadamized, 8.08 
 m.; graveled and roads, mostly in the county, 39.22 m. : 
 total, 115.54 m. Cost, $4,081,716 78. At the time of going 
 to press 50 m. were in course of completion. This length 
 is computed on the basis of an assumed width of 32 ft. The 
 improved styles of pavements have been laid on principal 
 thoroughfares of business and pleasure and on the avenues 
 and streets occupied by the better class of residences. The 
 cobblestone, in streets less traveled, mostly south of Penn- 
 sylvania av. The McAdam is but little used within the city, 
 owing to the dust, but is extensively employed on the high- 
 ways traversing the rural districts within the Territory. 
 Originally there were 13 avs., named after the States in the 
 Union when the city was laid out. Others on the first plan, 
 but undesignated, were named after States subsequently ad- 
 mitted, though not in the order of their admission. There 
 are now 21 avs., nineteen varying from 120 to 160 ft. wide, 
 and two 85 ft. wide, radiating from principal centres or con- 
 necting different parts of the city. 
 
 From THE CAPITOL — 
 
 Delaware av., 160 ft. wide, 1ST. 15° 44" E. to Boundary 
 
AVENUES. 
 
 25 
 
 New Jersey av., 160 ft. wide, N. 15° 44' W. to Boundary. 
 
 Maryland av., 160 ft. wide, N. 62° 25' E. to Boundary. 
 
 Pennsylvania a v., 160 ft. wide, S. 62° 27 / E. to Anaeostia. 
 
 These same avs. are continued beyond the point of inter- 
 section, and form the corresponding radiation on the S. and 
 W. Maryland av., W. of Capitol, N. 70° 22' E. The inter- 
 mediate broad streets intersecting at right-angles are N.. E., 
 and S. Capitol sts. 
 
 From the President's House — 
 
 New York av., 130 ft. wide, N. 66° 9' E. to Boundary. 
 
 Vermont av., 130 ft. wide, N. 24° 31 J' E. to Boundary. 
 
 Connecticut av., 130 ft. wide, N. 24° 31J' W. to Bound- 
 ary. 
 
 Pennsylvania av., 130 ft. wide, N. 66 W. to Kock Creek 
 and Georgetown. 
 
 These same avenues are continued from the centre of inter- 
 section at the President's House, and form the corresponding 
 radiation on the SE. and SW. 
 
 Pennsylvania av., from the President's House to the Capi- 
 tol, is 160 ft. wide, and runs S. 70° 33' 30" E. New York 
 av., W. of President's House, is 160 ft. wide, and runs S. 
 70° 27' W. 
 
 From Lincoln Square, E . of the Capitol — 
 Tennessee av., 120 ft. wide, N. 32° 25' E. to Boundary. 
 North Carolina av., 160 ft. wide, N. 62° 30' E. to Bound- 
 ary. 
 
 Massachusetts av., 160 ft. wide, S. 62° 26' E. to Hospital 
 Square. 
 
 Kentucky av., 120 ft. S. 33° E. to the Anaeostia. 
 
 Tennessee and Kentucky avs. start here, while Massachu- 
 setts and North Carolina avs. intersect and cross, forming 
 the corresponding diverging avs. on the W. 
 
 Under the old corporation, with the exception of a few 
 spasmodic attempts, as the necessities of an increased popu- 
 lation became urgent, no efforts were made to improve the 
 avenues, streets, and spaces. For a half a century Pennsyl- 
 vania av. was the only improved thoroughfare. An act of 
 Congress, approved April 6, 1870, authorized the corporation 
 to set apart one half the width of any or all the avenues and 
 streets under its jurisdiction for parking, leaving a roadway 
 of not less than 35 ft. width in the centre, or two such road- 
 ways on each side of the park, should that be placed in the 
 centre. Pennsylvania and Indiana avs. and st. W., be- 
 tween the City Hall and Pennsylvania av., were excluded 
 from this arrangement. On July 8, of the same year, Con- 
 gress authorized the paving of Pennsylvania av. at the Gov- 
 ernment expense . Under the Board of Public Works, create d 
 
26 
 
 DESCRIPTION OF AVENUES. 
 
 under the organic act of 1871 of the District, the improvement 
 of the thoroughfares of the city was systematically under- 
 taken. A plan of grades was adopted, to which all avenues 
 and streets were made to conform. This gave a regularity 
 and finish which do not fail to strike the eye with pleasing 
 effect. 
 
 Description of Avenues,— The broad thoroughfares are 
 among the principal attractions of the National Capital, and 
 the finest possessed by any city in the world. A drive upon 
 them, especially of an evening, when thronged with hand- 
 some equipages, affords a truly enjoyable recreation. 
 
 Pennsylvania av. is not only the principal, but also one of 
 the two longest in the city. It is, however, twice interrupted 
 in its continuity — by the President's House and Capitol. Its 
 width varies from 130 to 160 ft. It is about 4J m. in length, 
 from Georgetown and Rock Creek to the Anacostia, and is the 
 main line of communication across the city. Along its route 
 are the Washington Circle, the IFarand Treasury Departments, 
 and President's House. From 17th to 15th sts. the avenue pre- 
 
 president's house, 1870. 
 
 sents a particularly fine prospect, passing between the Nort} 
 Park of the President's Grounds, in front of which is a side- 
 walk 34 J ft. wide, and Lafayette Square. From 15th st. W. tc 
 the Capitol it traverses the entire length of the finest business 
 quarter and the fashionable drive. It thence winds up and 
 around the hill surmounted by the Capitol, and continues to 
 its terminus on the banks of the Anacostia. At the foot of 
 8th st. E., leaving this avenue, is the Navy Yard. Pennsyl- 
 
DESCRIPTION OF AVENUES. 
 
 27 
 
 vania av. was also the earliest used. In 1800 it was opened 
 and rudely drained from the Capitol to Georgetown. During 
 the administration of Jeft'erson, from the Capitol to the Pres- 
 ident's House it was laid out in three roadways. A row of 
 Lombardy poplars was planted between the centre or main 
 roadway and that on either side. A flag-stone foot walk also 
 ran from the Capitol to Georgetown. In 1825 the sidewalk 
 on the S. side was paved with stone from the Capitol to the 
 Navy Department. In 1832 the trees were cut down, the 
 curbs extended, and a drained macadamized roadway, 45 ft, 
 wide in the centre, laid out. The u centre strip," however, 
 was not entirely completed till 1849, and then was shaded 
 with elms, maples, and u trees of heaven." In 1842 it was 
 lighted with lamps from the Capitol to the President's House ; 
 subsequently it was paved with cobblestones, and so remained 
 till 1870. 
 
 Massachusetts Avenue is the longest unbroken in the 
 city, being over 4 \ m. It begins at the NW. Boundary, 
 at 22d st. W. ; is 160 ft. wide, and extends to the Ana- 
 costia SE., intersecting New Hampshire and Connecticut 
 avs. at 19th and P sts. NW., forming the P-street Circle; 
 Vermont av. at 14th and M sts. NW., forming the Fourteenth- 
 street Circle; New Yorkav. at 8th and K sts. NW., at Mount 
 Vernon Place; New Jersey av. at 1st and G sts. N W. ; Del- 
 aware av., between E and F sts. NE. ; Maryland av. and 5th 
 and C sts. NE. at Stanton Place; Tennessee, North Caro- 
 lina, and Kentucky avs. and E. Capitol and 12th sts. E. at 
 Lincoln Square, and thence to the Hospital Grounds on the 
 Anacostia. 
 
 This avenue is the most beautiful in the city, gradually 
 rising to an elevation considerably above the surrounding 
 heights, from which it descends in easy gradation to the mid- 
 dle of the broad intermediate valley, and rises again on the 
 east. On its route are the finest circles and squares. The 
 roadway is in the centre, while on either side are brick side- 
 walks and plots of grass. From Kock Creek this avenue is 
 paved with concrete, and from that point to New Jersey av. 
 wood pavement. Beyond it is ungraded. 
 
 Vermont and Connecticut Avenues, 130 ft. wide, 
 extending respectively NE. and NW. from the N. side of 
 Lafayette Square, pass through two of the most attractive 
 portions of the city. 
 
 New York Avenue, 130 ft. wide, is a fine thoroughfare. 
 It begins at the Potomac and runs across the city in a NE. 
 direction. From the Treasury Department it is parked in 
 the centre, with a fine vista of young trees. 
 
 Maryland Avenue, 160 ft. wide, extends NE. across 
 
28 
 
 DESCRIPTION OF AVENUES. 
 
 the city from Long Bridge to the Baltimore Turnpike. SW. 
 of the Capitol it is used for railroad purposes. 
 
 New Jersey and Delaware Avenues, 160 ft. wide, 
 begin respectively at the Anacostia and the Arsenal Grounds, 
 and run NW. and NE. to the Boundary, crossing each other 
 at the Capitol. 
 
 Georgia Avenue, 160 ft. wide, begins at the Arsenal 
 Grounds and runs NE., near and parallel to the Anacostia, 
 striking it for a short distance W. of the Navy Yard, and ter- 
 minates at the Hospital Grounds. 
 
 South Carolina Avenue, 160 ft. wide, begins at [Res- 
 ervation No. 17, S. of the Capitol, runs NE., and terminates 
 in Massachusetts av. 
 
 Virginia Avenue, 120 ft. wide, begins near the mouth 
 of Kock Creek and runs SE., crossing New Hampshire and 
 New York avs., to the Potomac, near the SW. corner of the 
 President's Grounds. On the S. boundary of the Mall, at 
 12th st., it resumes, the width being 160 ft., and terminates 
 at the Anacostia, crossing Maryland av., Eeservation No. 17, 
 and Georgia av. 
 
 Ehode Island Avenue, 130 ft. wide, starts at Connect- 
 icut av. and M st. N., runs NE., intersecting Massachusetts 
 av. at 16th and N sts. NW. ; Vermont av. at 13th and P sts. 
 NW., to the Boundary. 
 
 New Hampshire Avenue starts at the Potomac, be- 
 tween E and F sts. N. ; is 120 ft. wide, and runs NE., crossing 
 Virginia av., 23d and P-street Circles, to the Boundary. 
 
 Louisiana Avenue, 160 ft. wide, begins at the City Hall, 
 runs SW. to Central Market Square, crossing Pennsylvania 
 avenue. 
 
 Indiana Avenue, 160 ft. wide, begins at the City Hall, 
 runs SE. to 1st st. W. In 1850 it was improved from the City 
 Hall. 
 
 Missouri and Maine Avenues, 85 ft. wide, begin at the 
 E. line of the Mall at 6th st. W. : run respectively SE. and 
 NE. to 3d st. W., the western limit of the Botanical Garden. 
 
 Ohio Avenue begins at the E. line of the S. Park of the 
 President's Grounds at C st. N. ; runs SE. to Centre Market 
 Square. 
 
 North Carolina, Tennessee, and Kentucky Ave- 
 nues, in the E. part of the city, are but little built upon. 
 
 All these avenues are more or less improved by the laying 
 of stone, concrete, wood, cobble, or Belgian pavements, or 
 macadamized or graveled roads, with parking. 
 
 Executive Avenue, the construction of which began in 
 1871, begins at Pennsylvania av. E . and W. of the President's 
 
DESCRIPTION OF AVENUES. 
 
 29 
 
 House, and opposite 15J and 16J sts. W. The W. entrances 
 each consist of 6 massive granite gate-posts, upon which are 
 swung iron gates. The avenue encloses a portion of the Pres- 
 ident's Grounds on the E. and W., and on the opposite sides 
 are the Treasury Department E., and the War and Navy De- 
 partment and the edifice now building for the joint use of 
 the State, War, and Navy Departments W. A granite stair- 
 case, 20 ft. wide, with a fountain at the foot of the E. one, is 
 built in the terrace on either side of the President's House, 
 completing communication by the gravel walks leading to the 
 E xecutive Departments. The sidewalks are richly paved and 
 well lighted. Passing S. of the President's House, on either 
 side, at the prolongation of E st. 1ST., the two wings of theav. 
 form a semi-circle, the two extremities uniting opposite the S. 
 Portico of the President's House, and proceed in a broad sin- 
 gle line due S. to B st. ST., where the av. enters the Park or 
 Monument Grounds, and joins the beautiful Drive, commenced 
 in 1872, connecting the President's and Capitol Grounds. 
 
 The Drive. — Leaving the S. terminus of Executive sly., 
 the Drive, consisting of a graveled roadway of 35 ft., planted 
 on either side with trees, sweeps along the banks of the Po- 
 tomac on the right, affording a superb view of the expansive 
 bosom of the river N., till lost behind the hill crowned by the 
 Naval Observatory, and S. as far as the Long Bridge. On the 
 left is a Lake, in course of completion, covering 3 a., fed by a 
 spring on its SE . border and the waters of the Potomac. With- 
 in a small enclosure, about 100 yds. W. of the Washington 
 Monument, and on the left, near the av., is a gray freestone, 
 a little over 2 ft. in height, which marks the centre of the 
 District of Columbia, as laid out in 1791-'92. The Drive now 
 winds around the Monument. On the S. may be seen the 
 green-houses and plants of the Government Propagating Gar- 
 den. The wooden buildings, still standing on the hill near 
 by and used as Government hospitals and by the Commissary 
 Department of the United States Army 1861-'65, are now 
 occupied for blacksmith-shops, tools, and storage by the 
 Eng. in charge of Public Buildings and Grounds. The Drive 
 enters 14th st. W. nearly opposite the entrance of the Agricul- 
 tural Gr omuls* and connects with the carriage wa}^s of that 
 beautiful reservation. At this point also commences the Mall, 
 Prior to 1816 this attractive portion of the public grounds 
 was covered with majestic oaks, which were cut down about 
 that year, under the stipulation in the agreement of the Com- 
 missioners with the original proprietors that the latter should 
 be entitled to the wood on the lands. Even the trees which 
 cast a grateful shade over a refreshing spring at the foot of 
 Capitol Hill, near Pennyslvania av.^ were thus destroyed. 
 
30 
 
 STREETS. 
 
 Crossing 12th st. W., the drive enters the quiet retreat of the 
 Smithsonian Institution; and leaving this at 7th St., enters 
 Armory Square, so named from the Armory of the District 
 Militia located on the S. portion, and takes a winding course 
 to 6th st. W. This portion of the roadway is 1,300 ft. long, 
 and will cross the track of the Baltimore and Potomac Rail- 
 road at 6th st. W. on an ornamental iron bridge, with a 40 
 ft. roadway and 12 ft. sidewalk on either side, to be con- 
 structed by that company in compliance with the act of Con- 
 gress. From 6th st. the Drive continues through the reserva- 
 tion to 4 J st. W., and thence W. to the line of 3d st. W., 
 terminating opposite the W. entrance to the Botanical Gar- 
 den. It is proposed to extend the Drive across the garden, 
 so as to complete the connection with the Capitol Grounds 
 without leaving the line of the Mall, thus carrying out the 
 original plan of the city, which contemplated a walk and 
 drive between the President's House and the Capitol. The 
 Drive, in connection with the roads of the Agricultural and 
 Smithsonian grounds, is nearly 2 m. in length. 
 
 Streets.— The streets of the city run from IN", to S. and E. 
 to W., crossing at right angles. The streets running N". and 
 S. are designated numerically and by the words E. or W., 
 .according to their positions with respect to the Capitol, which 
 is the dividing point — as 1st st. E. of the Capitol, or 1st st. 
 W. of the Capitol, and so on. The streets running E. and 
 W. are designated by the letters of the alphabet and by the 
 word IS", or S., according as they are situated N". or S. of the 
 Capitol, the dividing point — as A st. N"., A st. S., which are 
 the first streets N". and S. of the Capitol, and so on. The 
 streets E. of the Capitol number from 1st to 31st st., includ- 
 ing the seven subject to overflow, and W. from 1st to 28th W. 
 
 The lettered streets run to W st. and to V st. S. The 
 limit of the city inland, or on the N., is known as Boundary 
 Street. 
 
 To avoid confusion, the city is divided into 4 quarters or 
 sections— NE. and W., SE. and SW. 1ST. and S. Capitol 
 sts., running on a and S. line from the Capitol and E. 
 Capitol st., and the prolongation of the same replaced by the 
 Mall, running at right angles, constitute the dividing lines. 
 The streets vary in width from 70 to 160 ft., and are paved, 
 macadamized, or graveled, according to their importance. 
 
 The avenues and streets are numbered after the plan 
 adopted in Philadelphia ; that is, 100 numbers to each square, 
 -commencing E. or W. and 1ST. or S. of the Capitol. For in- 
 stance, 100 would be the first number beyond 1st st., and 
 200 beyond 2d to 3d st., and so on, the intermediate numbers 
 
RENOMENCLATURE. 
 
 31 
 
 ending in the block. The same rule is adopted for lettered 
 streets and avenues. 
 
 Principal Streets.— E. Capitol Street, 160 ft. wide, ex- 
 tending in front of the Central Portico of the Capitol E. to 
 the Anacostia, was originally designed to be the chief street 
 of the capital. 
 
 N. and S. Capitol Streets, each 130 ft. wide, and re- 
 ceive their designation from the direction they take with 
 respect to the Capitol as the centre. These streets lie on the 
 Jirst meridian or longitude for the United States, as laid down 
 by Ellicott, 1791. 
 
 K Street N., the longest unbroken lettered street, is 148 
 ft. wide, and extends from Rock Creek to the Anacostia. It 
 is one of the most beautiful thoroughfares of the city, and on 
 much of its length is bounded on either side by line residences. 
 
 16th Street W. is 160 ft. wide, and extends from Lafay- 
 ette Square, opposite the N. Portico of the President's House, 
 due N. to the Boundary. It presents a line prospect. 
 
 Boundary Street follows on the line of the city limits, 
 from the intersection of Maryland av., 15th, and H sts. XE., 
 to Rock Creek on the W. 
 
 There are a few streets which are not part of the general 
 plan of the city. These vary from 40 to 65 ft. in width. 
 
 Eenomenclatnre, — It is proposed to abolish the present sys- 
 tem of nomenclature of the streets with duplicate letters and 
 numbers. This plan is not only extremely confusing to stran- 
 gers, but embarrassing and a source of great inconvenience 
 to residents. The proposed renomenclature contemplates for 
 streets running N. and S. a system of consecutive numbers, 
 beginning at 28th st. W., which would be 1st St., and termi- 
 nating at 31st st. E., which would be 60th St., the additional 
 street necessary to make up that aggregate being 4J st. W. 
 or 21st st. First sts. W. and E. at the Capitol would be 29th 
 and 30th sts. respectively. 1ST. and S. Capitol sts. would re- 
 tain their present names. It is also proposed to adopt for the 
 streets running E. and W. a nomenclature which would re- 
 quire no alteration in the letters, selecting for each the name 
 of some citizen eminent in the service of the Government or 
 in private life, the initial letter to correspond with the letter 
 which now designates the street. For instance: 
 
 Streets North of the Capitol — Adams, Benton, Clay or Clin- 
 ton, Douglas, Everett, Franklin, Gallatin, Hamilton, Jeffer- 
 son, Kent, Lincoln, Marshall, Nelson, Otis, Peabocly, Quincy, 
 Randolph, Story, Tompkins, Upshur, Van Buren, and W eb- 
 ster. 
 
 Streets South of the Capitol — Anderson, Bainbridge, Chaun- 
 
32 
 
 SEWERS. 
 
 cey, Decatur, Ellsworth, Farragut, Grant, Harrison, Jackson, 
 Knox, Lawrence, Marion, Nash or Nicholson, Overton, Per- 
 ry, Quitman, Rougers, Scott, Taylor, Union, Van Ness, and 
 Warren. 
 
 Parking. — The street parks and sidewalks of the avenues 
 and streets are generally planted with trees possessing the 
 merits of stateliness and symmetry of growth, expansive foli- 
 age, early spring verdure, variety of colors in autumn, healthi- 
 ness, cleanliness, and vigorous and rapid growth. The varie- 
 ties used are the silver maple, American linden, European 
 sycamore maple, American elm, tulip tree, sugar maple, sweet 
 gum, red maple, Norway maple, negundo, American ash, 
 button wood, oaks, and European ash and linden. The trees 
 are usually planted 40 feet apart. The American white elm 
 has been planted on E. Capitol st. The supply is kept up 
 from the reserve Nursery on the banks of the Anacostia in 
 the grounds S. of the Alms House, where there is constantly 
 a stock of upwards of 20,000 plants from 2 to 9 feet in height. 
 In 1873, 6,000 young trees were planted. All are carefully 
 boxed, and at intervals watered and pruned : the latter in or- 
 der to preserve uniformity of growth. The narrow roadways 
 and side or centre parking of the wider avenues and streets 
 overcome their barren appearance, and adds vastly to the 
 adornment of the capital. 
 
 Quarters. — The arrangement of the streets with respect to 
 the Capitol, as we have seen, divides the city into 4 sections. 
 The Northwest Quarter constitutes the finest portions of the 
 capital, embracing the President's House, all the Departments 
 and Foreign Legations, the principal business establishments, 
 fashionable residences and squares. The Southivest Quarter, 
 formerly known as " the Island," from its separation from the 
 rest of the city by the Washington Canal, now filled, is gen- 
 erally the quarter of persons of moderate means. In it are 
 also the wharves. The Northeast Quarter is the same as the 
 SW. The Southeast Quarter, with a small portion of the NE., 
 is known as u Capitol Hill," from the Capitol, which stands 
 on the W. brow. It was intended, originally, to make it by 
 art what it is by nature — the finest portion of the city. It has 
 many attractions, and promises, in time, to compete with the 
 magnificence of the West End. 
 
 Sewers. — The cities of Washington and Georgetown, for 
 the purpose of sewerage and drainage, are divided into 5 sec- 
 tions. 1st. Georgetown, embracing the limits of that city. 
 2d. Slash Run, beginning at the intersection of Rock Creek 
 and K st. N W. ; thence along K to 21st NW. ; along 21st to 
 I st. N. ; along I to 17th W. ; along 17th to H st. N. ; along 
 
SEWERS. 
 
 33 
 
 H to 16th W.; along 16th to I st. N. ; along I to loth W.; 
 along loth to Vermont av. ; along Vermont av. to 14th W. ; 
 along 14th to Boundary ; along Boundary to Kock Creek ; 
 along Rock Creek to beginning. 3d. The intermediate sec- 
 tion, beginning at the intersection of Rock Creek andK st. 
 W. ; thence along K to 21st NW. ; thence alons: 21st to I st. 
 NW. ; thence along I to 19th NW. to G st. NW. ; thence 
 along G to the Potomac River ; along Potomac River and Rock 
 Creek to the beginning. 4th. The intercepting section, be- 
 ginning at the intersection of Potomac River and G st. NW. ; 
 thence along G to 19th NW.; thence along 19th to I st. NW. ; 
 along I to 17th ; along 17th to H st. N. ; along H to 16th W. ; 
 along 16th to I st. N. ; along I to 15th W. ; along loth to Ver- 
 mont av. ; along Vermont av. to 14th W. ; along 14th to N 
 st. N. ; along N to Vermont av; along Vermont av. to O st. 
 N. ; along O to 7th NW. ; along 7th to B st. N. ; along B to 
 6th W. ; along 6th to B st. S. * along B to Potomac River; 
 along Potomac River following the borders of stream to be- 
 ginning. 5th. The Tiber Basin, beginning at intersection of 
 Boundary and 14th st. W. ; along 14th to N st. N. ; along N 
 to Vermont av. ; along Vermont av. to O st. N. ; along O to 
 7th W. ; along 7th to B st. N. ; along B to 6th W. ; along 6th 
 to B st. S. ; along B to Potomac River ; along Potomac River 
 to the Anacostia; along the Anacostia to C st. NE.; along 
 C to loth E. ; along 15th to Boundary; along Boundary to 
 beginning. 
 
 The sewerage of the city formerly drained into the canal, 
 which crossed the city from the Anacostia to the Potomac S. 
 of the President's Grounds. From 3d to 15th st. W. it ran 
 directly in front of the Capitol, and separated the beautiful 
 grounds on the Mall from the rest of the city. This open mass 
 of filth and disease was filled in 1872. 
 
 The B-street Intercepting Sewer, 1 m. in length and 12 
 ft. in diameter, was constructed in place of the canal. The 
 main branch empties into the Potomac at the foot of 17th 
 st. W. One of the largest sewers in the world is the Tiber- 
 creek Sewer, so named from the stream which flows through 
 it. It is a brick arch 24 to 30 ft. span, and 15 ft. high, and 
 drains the entire city E* of 6th st. W. — about 3,000 acres. Its 
 outlet is at the Tiber arch, near the W. entrance to the Botan- 
 ical Garden, on 3d st. W., into which the smaller branch of the 
 intersecting or canal sewer from 7th st. W. empties. The line 
 of this great sewer, from its mouth, passes under the Botan- 
 ical Garden and Pennsylvania av. N. to E st. N. at its junc- 
 tion with N. Capitol St., which it follows to K st. N. The 
 portion from H to K st. is now under construction. The 
 destination of this sewer is the Boundary, reached along K 
 3 
 
34 
 
 SQUARES. 
 
 st. N. to 1st st. E. ; thence by the latter. When completed, it 
 will be 2 m. in length. Branch sewers of 9 ft. each are being 
 built out from 3d st. NW. and F st. NE. From the Tiber 
 arch a large sewer extends SE. The Slash-run Sewer, \ m. 
 long, 10 ft. span, named after the natural watercourses which 
 enter the city in several branches on its N W. boundary, empties 
 into Rock Creek. A 9-ft. conduit sewer is also being built 
 along Boundary st., in the £STE. part of the city, as supple* 
 mentary to the Tiber-basin system. Small tile and pipe sew- 
 ers convey the sewerage of streets and dwellings into the 
 general system. There are about 10 m. of main sewerage, 
 including 5 m. of brick sewers, from 4 to 9 ft. in diameter, 
 and 80 m. of tile and pipe. 
 
 Squares. — In addition to the grounds attached to the public 
 buildings, and which will be described in that connection, 
 there are a number of beautiful squares in various parts of the 
 city. Those W. of the Capitol are — 
 
 "Lafayette Square, a parallelogram of 7 a., N. of the 
 President's House, and between 15 \ and 16 J sts., frequently 
 popularly known as Madison and Jackson sts., respectively, 
 from the early residence of those distinguished gentlemen 
 upon them. The broad av. extending to the X. is 16th St., 
 the high ground at its terminus being Meridian Hill. From 
 the President's Grounds on the S. it is separated by a broad 
 av., which extends from 15th to 17th sts. This square is beau- 
 tifully laid out in graveled walks with seats. It is adorned 
 with trees and shrubbery, many of them rare and valuable 
 species and in pleasing variety. It is lighted throughout 
 with gas, two of the lamp-posts combining drinking foun- 
 tains. A watchman's lodge, also partly for the public, stands 
 on the jST. side. The building is approached at either end by 
 circular walks, screened by rows of evergreens upon each 
 side and in front flower beds. Two bronze Vases 7 ft. high, 
 weighing 1,300 lbs. each, mounted on granite pedestals, stand 
 on the E. and W. sides of the square. These are copies from 
 an antique vase, and are the work of the brass foundry of the 
 Navy Yard. They were cast with the permission of Mr. Robe- 
 son, Secretary of the Navy, and reflect great credit upon the 
 workshops of the Government. In the centre of this square 
 is Clark Mills's equestrian statue of General Andrew Jackson, 
 contracted for by the Jackson Monument Association, com- 
 posed of the friends and admirers of the subject, who sub- 
 scribed $12,000 for the purpose. In 1848 Congress granted 
 to the Association the brass guns and mortars captured by 
 the General at Pensacola. In 1850 an additional number of 
 brass guns and national trophies, sufficient to complete the 
 
SQUARES. 35 
 
 statue, were donated by Congress. In 1852 Congress appro- 
 priated funds for the erection of the marble pedestal upon 
 which it stands, and in 1853 made a further appropriation of 
 $20,000 for the statue itself, and made it the property of the 
 United States. The statue is one third larger than life,* weighs 
 
 JACKSON EQUESTRIAN STATUE. 
 
 15 tons, and cost, inclusive of the value of metal and the 
 amount contributed by the Association, $50,000. The hind 
 parts and tail of the horse being solid, the animal is poised, 
 without the aid of iron rods or other devices as in the great 
 statues of Peter the Great, George III, and the Duke of Wel- 
 lington. This was the first application of this principle. The 
 statue was unveiled in the presence of a large number of peo- 
 ple, Stephen A. Douglas delivering the oration, on the 8th 
 day of January, 1853, the anniversary of the battle of New 
 Orleans, in which General Jackson routed the British forces 
 under Sir John Packenham. 
 
 From the N. line of Lafayette Square, on the E. and W. 
 extremities respectively, diverge Vermont and Connecticut 
 avs. On the former, just beyond I st. W., the first trans- 
 verse st. N., is Scott Square, and . in the corresponding loca- 
 
36 
 
 SQUARES. 
 
 tion on Connecticut a v. is Farragut Square, each containing 
 \\ a. Both these squares have a paved roadway of 24 ft. 
 width cut through them, running on a line with the avs. 
 They are laid out in walks, with seats and drinking fountains 
 for pedestrians, and are in every way attractive popular re- 
 sorts for the neighborhood. In the centre of Farragut Square 
 is an ellipse, in which will be placed the Colossal Statue of Ad- 
 miral Farragut, for which $20,000 was voted by resolution of 
 Congress April 16, 1872. 
 
 At the intersection of Massachusetts and Rhode Island avs. 
 and X and 16th sts. NW., less than ten minutes' walk on 
 16th st., due N. of the President's House, is an unnamed 
 square of about 1 a., situated in one of the most interesting 
 portions of the city. In this square, erected in 1874, stands 
 the Colossal Bronze Equestrian Statue of Brevet Lieutenant 
 General Winfield Scott, ordered by Congress in 1867. This 
 magnificent work of art represents the General in full 
 uniform, mounted on a war charger at rest. He holds the 
 reins in the left hand and a pair of field glasses in the right, 
 the latter resting against his hip, and with calm martial bear- 
 ing surveys the field. The figure is 10 ft. from the stirrups 
 to the chapeau and horse and rider 15 ft. The pose is one 
 of grace, dignity, and firmness. The charger, with ears 
 thrown up and nostrils dilated, every vein flushed with life, 
 stands ready to obey the commands of his rider. The design 
 is by H. K. Brown, sculptor, New York, and was cast by 
 Eobert Wood & Co., of Philadelphia, out of bronze cannon, 
 trophies of the valor and skill of the General in the Mexican 
 war, and donated by Congress. The statue weighs 12,000 
 pounds, involved the labor of eight skillful artists nine 
 months, and has cost $20,000. The statue is considered one 
 of the finest of the kind ever made in the United States, and 
 is not only creditable to the sculptor and the founders, but to 
 American art. The pedestal stands 14 ft high, consisting of 
 platform, sub-base, base, die, and cap, of Cape Ann granite, 
 in five large blocks. Total height of the pedestal and statue 
 29 ft. The platform is 26 ft. long, 13 ft. wide, and 2 ft. 
 thick, and weighs 119 tons 1,197 lbs; sub-base, 20 ft. X 10 
 ft. X 1 ft., 84^tons; base, 17 ft. X 7 ft. X 3 ft., 41 tons; 
 die, 15 ft. X 5 ft. X 5 ft., 38 tons; and cap, 17 ft. X 7 ft. X 
 3 ft., 37 tons 1,500 lbs. Total weight of pedestal, 320 tons 
 697 lbs. The entire pedestal, when quarried, weighed 400 
 tons 621 Hbs. These are the largest stones ever successfully 
 quarried in this country, and among the largest, if not quite 
 so, in the world. Great difficulty was experienced in their 
 removal to the seacoast, whence they were transported to 
 the National Capital by sea. The site for this statue is ad- 
 
SQUARES. 
 
 37 
 
 mirably chosen, the broad street and intersecting avenues 
 affording a view of it from various parts of the city. 
 
 Franklin Square, between 13th and 14th sts. W. and 
 I and K sts. N., comprises 4 a., and was purchased by the 
 Government in 1829 in order to secure control of a fine spring, 
 the waters of which, as early as 1832, were conveyed in pipes 
 to the President's House and Executive offices. This water 
 is still used for drinking purposes at the President's House, 
 it being considered better than that from the Potomac. The 
 spring lies N. of the fountain, beneath two iron and stone 
 covers, built in the arch constructed over the spring. It was 
 not until 1851 that this square was laid out. In the centre is 
 a small fountain, with a basin 30 ft. in diameter, and a keep- 
 er's lodge, with other conveniences, near by. There are also 
 several drinking fountains. The square is planted with a 
 pleasing variety of ornamental trees and shrubs. 
 
 Judiciary Square, on the original plan of tihe city, was 
 designated reservation No. 9, and was set apart for the then 
 contemplated buildings for the accommodation of the judicial 
 branch of the Government. It comprises 19^ a., and ex- 
 tends on the S. from the intersection of Louisiana and Indi- 
 ana avs., at the head of 4 J st. W. to G st. N., and between 
 4th and 5th sts. W. The S. portion, fronting on 4£ st., is 
 occupied by the City Hall. 
 
 On the E. side, beyond E St., was erected the immense 
 temporary wooden structure for the ball given in honor of 
 the Second Inauguration of President Grant, March 4, 1873. 
 In the NE. angle is the Jail. On the W. side, during the re- 
 bellion, 1861-'65, wooden buildings were erected for soldiers' 
 hospitals, afterwards donated to the uses of the Women's 
 Christian Association, but since removed. This square is 
 being made one of the most attractive in the city. 
 
 Eawlins Square, on New York av., SW. of the Pres- 
 ident's Grounds, between 18th and 19th sts. W., containing 
 about 1J a., is beautifully laid out, with walks, trees, ever- 
 greens, and shrubbery. It has two small rustic fountains, 
 with ornamental margins and centre-pieces of rock-work. 
 This square, prior to 1872, was a low, desolate waste. It was 
 then filled 8 ft. to grade. In 1874 was erected there the heroic 
 sized bronze statue of Brigadier General John A. Rawlins, of 
 Illinois, Adjutant General and chief of staff to General U. S. 
 Grant, 1864-'65, and Secretary of War, 1869. It was ordered 
 by Congress in 1872, executed bv J. Bailey, of Pennsylvania, 
 1873, cast by Robert Wood & Co., of Philadelphia, Pennsyl- 
 vania, cost $10,000, measures 8 ft. in height, and weighs 1,400 
 lbs. The Virginia granite pedestal, 12 ft. high, cost $2,500. 
 
 Mount Vernon Place, at the intersection of Massachu- 
 
38 
 
 CIRCLES. 
 
 setts and New York avs. and K and 8th sts. NW., till 1871, 
 was occupied on the E. half by the Northern Market. It is 
 now beautif Lilly laid out and planted. In the centre is a 
 raised circular space, containing a bronze fountain. 
 
 A short distance S. of Pennsylvania av., on the E. side 
 of 6th st. W., is what is known as Circus Lot; that part of 
 the reservation in which it is embraced being set apart for 
 that purpose. The rents are contributed to charitable insti- 
 tutions. 
 
 There are other spaces in the W. portions of the city, but 
 are without name. Of these is the wedge-shaped space, of 
 about 4 a., between 3d and 4J sts. and Missouri and Maine 
 avs., lying W. of the Botanical Garden ; and adjoining it, 
 on the W., another area of 17 J a., which extends to 7th st. 
 The W* portion is known as Armory Square, from being the 
 site of the District Armory. Also one of J a., N. of the 
 Mall, at the intersection of Ohio and Louisiana avs. 
 
 Lincoln Square lies 1 m. directly E. of the central Por- 
 tico of the Capitol, on E. Capitol St., and at the intersection 
 of Massachusetts, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Kentucky 
 avs. It comprises 6J a., and is beautifully laid out in walks 
 and planted with trees and shrubs. In the centre is a raised 
 circular mound, on which it is proposed to erect a statue to 
 the President from whom the square received its name. On 
 either side is a small fountain. It w T as in this square, in the 
 original embellishment of the Capital, that the Historic Col- 
 umn was to be built ; to serve also as a Mile or Itinerary Col- 
 umn, from which all geographical distances in the United 
 States were to be calculated. There is an excellent distant 
 view of the Capitol from here. 
 
 Stanton Place lies NE. of the Capitol, at the intersec- 
 tion of Maryland and Massachusetts avs., and comprises 3 J a. 
 
 A short distance S. of the Capitol, at the convergence of 
 New Jersey, South Carolina, and North Carolina avs., is a 
 large tract, originally laid out as Eeservation No. 17. It 
 contains 23£ a., or, on the first maps, 21 a., and was set off 
 as the site for the Town House or City Hall, but has never 
 since been considered in that connection. It is still with- 
 out improvement, though the subject has been called to the 
 attention of Congress. 
 
 There are other squares in the SE . parts of the city vacant 
 and unimproved. Of these might be mentioned one of 3 J a., 
 at the intersection of Pennsylvania and North Carolina avs.; 
 one of 2| a., at the intersection of Pennsylvania and South 
 Carolina avs.; and one of 1J a., on North Carolina av., be- 
 tween 2d and 3d sts. E. It is the purpose to extend to these 
 spaces the improvements contemplated. 
 
ORNAMENTAL GARDENING. 
 
 Circles, — The space at the intersections of the more im- 
 portant avenues forms what are termed circles. 
 
 Washington Circle, 23d st. W., at the intersection of 
 Pennsylvania and New 
 Hampshire a vs., con- 
 tains the Equestrian 
 Statue of GeneralGeorge 
 Washington, by Clark 
 Mills, ordered by Con- 
 gress in 1853, cost $50,- 
 000, and was cast out of 
 guns donated by Con- 
 gress. 
 
 It represents Washington at 
 the crisis of the Battle of Prince- 
 ton, the horse shrinking before 
 the stcrm of shot and the din of 
 conflict, while the rider preserve? 
 that equanimity of bearing native 
 to his great character. 
 
 The Fourteenth- 
 street Circle, at the 
 
 intersection of Mas^a- Washington equestrian statue. 
 
 chusetts and Vermont 
 
 ave., is chastely laid out in walks, and planted with ever- 
 greens, shrubs, and flowers. In the centre is a rustic fountain, 
 with a Scotch terra-cotta foundation-bowl and rustic stone 
 centre-piece, and in different parts of the circle are rustic stone 
 and wooden seats. A short distance beyond, on Vermont av., 
 at the intersection of Khode Island av., is the Thirteenth- 
 street Circle, as yet without particular improvement. 
 
 P-STREET Circle, at the intersection of Connecticut, Mas- 
 sachusetts, and New Hampshire a vs., is laid out in walks and 
 lighted. 
 
 It is designed to erect in this circle a fountain 50 ft. in diameter, with coping and 
 centre-piece of handsome design in marble or granite. A fine selection of evergicens 
 and trees will also be planted. 
 
 The terminus of Pennsylvania av., on the Anacostia, widens 
 into a semi-circle of nearly 5 acres, as yet but little improved. 
 
 Triangles. — At the intersection of the avenues and streets 
 are small spaces designated Triangular Eeservations. Many 
 of these E. and W. of the Capitol are planted with trees and 
 shrubs, and are further beautified with small fountains. 
 
 Birds. — A flock of imported sparrows was set at liberty in the public grounds in 
 1871, for the destruction of insects. Each year new cages are placed in the trees 
 for the accommodation of their increased numbers. These useful birds are fed reg- 
 ularly every morning during the winter in Franklin, Lafayette, and other squares. 
 
 Ornamental Gardening.— In 1851 A. J. Downing, the cele- 
 brated landscape gardener, was employed by the Government 
 
40 
 
 engineer's office. 
 
 to lay out the public parks and reservations. The grounds 
 of the President's House were to be extended to the line of 
 the Washington Canal, now B st. N., and to be laid out with 
 a circular parade-ground, lined with trees in the centre. A 
 carriageway, by means of a suspension bridge, was to con- 
 nect the S. Park of those grounds with the Mall, near the 
 Washington Monument. A drive was to follow the Mall to 
 the Capitol. The Mall itself was to be beautifully adorned 
 with lawns, walks, drives, trees, and shrubbery. Lafayette, 
 Franklin, and the other squares were to be iaid out by the 
 same person. The admirable schemes of improvement con- 
 templated by this truly artistic gardener were suddenly in- 
 terrupted by his death in 1852. During the single year of 
 his service he prepared a general plan for the laying out and 
 beautifying of the public grounds. This, in a great measure, 
 has been carried out by his successors. In the Smithsonian 
 Grounds may be seen a beautiful Vase, erected by the Amer- 
 ican Pomological Society to the memory of Downing. A 
 description of this tribute to his genius will be found in its 
 appropriate place. 
 
 Previous to this the attempts at the appropriate laying out 
 and planting of the public parks were both crude and spas- 
 modic. In 1826, more than a quarter of a century after the 
 Government had made the city its permanent seat, there 
 were no public walks, save the dusty avenues. In 1831 the 
 grounds around the Capitol and President's House were still 
 in the unkempt condition of nature unadorned. In 1832 the 
 old Treasury Building was enclosed. The next year the 
 pedestal wall and railing were placed in front of the Park of 
 the President's House, and the S. Park, near the mansion, was 
 planted with trees. In 1834 the foot and carriageway were 
 completed. In 1835 Lafayette Square was improved and 
 planted, and supplied with lamps. In 1837 the W. Park of 
 the Capitol Grounds was extended to take in part of the Mall 
 from the circular road around the building to 1st st. W., mak- 
 ing an addition of 8 a. The park was walled in and the grounds 
 laid out in walks and supplied with fountains. In the same 
 year the President's Grounds were in more creditable condi- 
 tion. In the S. park, towards the then line of the canal, it was 
 proposed to lay out an extensive fish-pond, to supply the Presi- 
 dent's table with fish. The public grounds, an eyesore to 
 the community and a reflection upon the tase and liberality 
 of Congress, were again neglected. 
 
 Office, Engineer in Charge. — In 1871 a system of improvements was 
 inaugurated by Maior O. E. Babcock, Corps of Engineers, U. S. A., in charge of 
 Public Buildings, Grounds, and Works. Congress annually appropriates from 
 $100,000 to $300,000, to be expended under the Engineer's office, for salaries ; 
 
BOTANICAL GARDEN. 
 
 41 
 
 the improvement and care of the public grounds not otherwise specially assigned; 
 repairs and refurnishing the President's House, green-houses, and for fuel ; light- 
 ing the Capitol, President's House, and public grounds; and construction and re- 
 pairs of all bridges on the Potomae and Anacostia, and repairing and extension of 
 Government water-pipes. 
 
 Propagating Garden,— The Government Propagating Gar- 
 den, originally on Missouri av., between 3d and sts. W., 
 is beautifully situated on the banks of the Potomac, S. of the 
 Washington Monument. The garden covers 8 a. The forc- 
 ing houses are supplied with apparatus for the propagation 
 and growth of plants of the rarest species and varieties. In 
 1872, from the old garden, upwards of 20,000 papers of flower 
 seeds were collected and cured. These, with surplus plants, 
 sometimes numbering upwards of 10,000, consisting of roses, 
 chrysanthemums, verbenas, geraniums, begonias, and other 
 hot-house annuals and shrubs propagated at these gardens, 
 were distributed to members of Congress, and others notified 
 by circular letter that such stock was ready. A Nursery is 
 connected with the garden, in which trees and shrubs are 
 grown for the supply of the public parks. 
 
 Copyright, 1874: L'eB. 11. Keim. 
 
 BOTANICAL GARDEN AND GREEN-HOU8E. 
 
 Botanical Garden.— Open daily, 9 a. m. to 6 p. w?.-— This 
 instructive place of public resort is situated at the foot of Capi- 
 tol Hill, extending from 1st to 3d sts. W., and between Penn- 
 sylvania and Maryland avs. There are two main entrances for 
 pedestrians, one opposite the main central W. gate of the Cap- 
 itol Park and the other on 3d St., opposite the E. end of the 
 Drive. Each entrance consists of four marble and brick gate 
 piers, with iron gates. No wheeled vehicles are permitted in 
 the garden. The avenues diverging from the W. Capitol Park 
 give the garden a wedge-shape, the narrower end facing the 
 W. front of the Capitol. It comprises 10 a., surrounded by 
 
42 
 
 BOTANICAL GARDEN. 
 
 a low, brick wall, with stone coping and iron railing, and is 
 laid out in walks, lawns, and flower-beds. jST. of the Main 
 Conservatory is a large fountain, with 9 main jets and a mar- 
 ble basin 93 ft. in diameter. The fountain is supplied from 
 the Acqueduct, and throws its highest stream to an altitude 
 of 65 ft. This fountain in full play presents a beautiful ef- 
 fect, especially when reflecting the rays of the sun. S. of 
 the Conservatory is a smaller fountain, with a granite basin. 
 During the summer the hardiest plants, in boxes, are ranged 
 on either side of the main walk, and contribute materially to 
 the beauty of the garden. 
 
 The Main Conservatory, commenced in 1867 from designs 
 by Mr. Clark, Architect of the Capitol, consists of a central 
 dome and two wings. The base is of marble and the super- 
 structure iron. The entire length is 300 ft., greatest width 
 60 ft., height of dome 40 ft., and wings 25 ft. The dome is 
 supported on a brick column, which answers the double pur- 
 pose of being a chimney also. Around this column winds an 
 iron, spiral staircase, which leads to a cupola surrounded by 
 a balustrade. From this point the finest view of the W. front 
 of the Capitol may be obtained. The key is kept by the Su- 
 perintendent. There are 10 smaller Conservatories, of brick 
 and wood, in one of which is a Lecture or Botanical Class- 
 room, with accommodations for 100 students. The latter fea- 
 ture contemplates the appointment of a Professor of Botany 
 by the colleges of the capital to hold lectures here. All the 
 conservatories are heated by hot water, conducted in iron 
 pipes, supplied from 5 boilers. Three of the boilers are in the 
 vaults under the pavement of the dome of the Main Conser- 
 vatory. The object of the garden is education and the dis- 
 tribution of rare plants. For the latter purpose there are 4 
 conservatories devoted to propagation. All seeds are saved. 
 The garden is under the control of the Joint Committee of 
 Congress on the Library. Each member of Congress, on ap- 
 plying to the chairman of the committee for plants or seeds, 
 is supplied, if practicable. Boquets are frequently obtained 
 hi the same way. 
 
 Botanical Collection. — The first collection of plants in 
 this National Conservatory was brought to the United States 
 by the Exploring Expedition to the Southern Hemisphere, 
 1838-'42, commanded by Captain (Rear Admiral) Charles 
 Wilkes. The collection was first deposited in the Patent 
 Office, but in 1850 was removed to the Botanical Garden. 
 Some of the plants are still living, and a large share of the 
 present collection are the descendants of those brought back 
 by the Wilkes Expedition. A few have furnished represent- 
 atives for many of the principal conservatories of the United 
 States and Europe. 
 
BOTANICAL GARDEN. 
 
 43 
 
 The disposition of the collection is according to a geograph- 
 ical distribution. The strictly tropical plants occupy the cen- 
 tre Conservatory, and those of a semi-tropical nature, requir- 
 ing protection and lying towards the N. pole, are placed in 
 the W. range and wing; and all indigenous to countries 
 lying towards the S. pole are in the E. range and wing. 
 
 The Centre Building or Rotunda, temperature 80°, contains 
 a fine variety of the majestic palms, called by Martins the 
 princes of vegetation, and of which there are 300 kinds, the 
 most prominent being here represented. The most interest- 
 ing in the collection is the palm tree of Scripture, familiarly 
 known as the date palm. Jericho, the City of Palms, was 
 so called from the numbers of this tree growing in its vicin- 
 ity. It was recommended to be used by the Jews in the 
 Feast of Tabernacles. In Arabia, Egypt, and Persia it sup- 
 plies almost every want of the inhabitants. The fruit is 
 used for food, the leaves for shelter, the wood for fuel, and 
 the sap for spirituous liquor. It matures in 10 years and 
 then fruits for centuries, bearing from 1 to 300 cwt. at a 
 time. Among the Arabs the pollen dust is preserved from 
 year to year, and at the season of impregnation of the pistils 
 or female flowers a feast called u Marriage of the Palms" is 
 held. It is a singular historical fact, that the date palm of 
 Egypt bore no fruit in the year 1800, owing to the presence 
 of the French army in the country, which prevented the an- 
 nual marriage feast. 
 
 Among the other plants in this portion of the Conservatory 
 are the fan, royal, ratan, sago of Japan and China, Panama 
 hat, oil, wine, coco de Chili, sugar, and cradle palms; the 
 East India bamboo; the tree fern, from New Zealand ; as- 
 trapea, from Madagascar ; screw pine of Australia, with its 
 cork-screw leaves and roots in mid air; the cinnamon of 
 Ceylon ; maiden's hair fern ; mango, a delicious fruit of the 
 West Indies ; and banana, that most prolific of all plants ; 
 the great stag and elkhorn ferns from Australia, (very fine 
 specimens,) and the dumb cane of South America. The sap 
 of the root of the latter will take away the power of speech. 
 Humboldt, during his explorations in South America, was 
 eight days speechless from tasting it. The outer circle of 
 the rotunda is devoted to the smaller tropical plants. 
 
 The E. range, temperature 50°, and wing, 40°, are de- 
 voted more particularly to the plants of the South Sea Islands, 
 Brazil, Cape of Good Hope, Australia, and New Holland. 
 The principal specimens are the tree fern of New Zealand ; 
 the aloe and the CafFre bread tree from the Cape of Good 
 Hope ; the India rubber, the passion flower, the caladium, of 
 Brazil ; Norfolk Island pine of Australia, one of the most 
 
44 
 
 BOTANICAL GARDEN. 
 
 beautiful and largest-growing trees in the world ; the queen 
 plant, or bird of paradise flower, from its resemblance to the 
 plume of that bird ; the tutui, or candle-nut tree, from the 
 Society Islands, the nut being used by the natives for lighting 
 their huts ; the coffee plant, and several varieties of cactus. 
 
 To the W. range and wing, temperature same as E., the 
 plants of China and Japan, the East and West Indies, and 
 Mexico are assigned. The most notable plants here are the 
 cycadaceae, of the East Indies, the largest in the country; 
 the four-century plant ; the camellia japonica, or Japan rose ; 
 the lovety lily of Cuba ; the historic papyrus antiquorum, or 
 paper plant, of Egypt; the tallow and leechee trees of 
 China ; the guava, a delightful fruit of the West Indies ; the 
 vanilla of Mexico, the species which furnishes the aromatic 
 bean ; the black pepper from the East Indies ; the sugar cane, 
 the cheramoyer, or custard apple, and cassava of the West 
 Indies ; the sensitive and the humble plants ; the American 
 aloe, or century plant, of Mexico ; the camphor tree from 
 Japan ; the tea plant ; the papay, an Oriental tree, which has 
 the property of rendering the toughest meat tender ; a plant 
 of the adansonia digitata, or monkey bread, which grows on 
 the banks of the Senegal, and reaches the enormous circum- 
 ference of 100 ft. They are supposed to attain the age of 
 5,000 years. They have many uses. Humboldt pronounces 
 them the oldest organic monuments of our planet. There is 
 also a specimen of the carob tree of Palestine, sometimes 
 called St. John's bread. The pulp around the seed is sup- 
 posed to have been the wild honey upon which St. John 
 fed in the wilderness. There are other interesting speci- 
 mens of the vegetable kingdom, including a pleasing variety 
 of climbing plants. The arrangement of the exotics in the 
 Central Conservatory presents the appearance of a miniature 
 tropical forest, with its luxuriant growth of tree and vine. 
 Until recently the Conservatory was in possession of a speci- 
 men of the bohan upas tree, of which such fabulous stories 
 have been told. Each wing of the Conservatory is supplied 
 with a fountain. In the W. range is a vase, brought from 
 St. Augustine, Florida, and taken from the first house built 
 on the North American continent within the present limits 
 of the United States. A fine specimen of maiden's hair fern 
 grows in the vase. 
 
 The outside conservatories are generally used for propaga- 
 tion. One, however, is specially devoted to camellia japo- 
 nica, and another to that eurious growth, the orchids or air 
 plants. The botanical collection received some valuable con- 
 tributions from the expedition of Commodore Perry to Japan. 
 The supply is kept up by propagation and purchase, and at 
 
LIGHTING OF THE CITY. 
 
 45 
 
 rare intervals by scientific or exploring expeditions of the 
 United States. 
 
 Superintendents of the Botanical Garden. — 1850-1852, W. 
 D. Breckenridge ; 1852, William R. Smith. 
 
 History. — The design of the projectors of the city contem- 
 plated the location of a botanical garden upon one of the 
 extensive reservations which had been set apart for public 
 purposes. In 1798 there was considerable discussion as to its 
 location. A deputation waited upon the Commissioners of the 
 city and urged the S. Park of the President's Grounds, bnt as 
 the object was the enjoyment of the public, it was seen fit w 
 establish it in its present desirable situation near the Capitol* 
 The topography of the ground, however, was most uninvit- 
 ing. The Tiber flowed across one end of it, and most of it 
 was low and marshy, and exposed to the ebb and flow of the 
 tides in the Potomac. There is a tradition that it was the 
 early execution ground of the city, and that no less than five 
 criminals were hanged there. In 1822 the Botanical Society 
 of Washington was incorporated by Congress. The society, 
 prior to its incorporation, through the individual efforts of 
 those interested in botanical researches and investigations in 
 the District of Columbia, had prepared a full list of plants, 
 and as early as 1817 had arranged them according to the Lin- 
 nsean classification and the more fashionable arrangment of 
 Jussieu. The grounds assigned to the society were the same 
 now used by Congress for that purpose. Under the auspices 
 of the societ3 r the marshy portions were dredged and con- 
 verted into a small lake, into which the tide continued to ebb 
 and flow. A few of the native trees were planted, consisting 
 of fine oaks, buttonwoods, gums and persimmons. The 
 onty vestige remaining of these primitive efforts at a botan- 
 ical garden are two post oaks. After the discontinuance of 
 the society the garden was used as a deposit for rubbish. In 
 1850 the representative management was assigned to the 
 Joint Committee of Congress on the Library. The first 
 buildings were then erected, and the office of Superintendent 
 created. This post was first filled by W. D. Breckenridge, 
 who had been horticulturist and botanist to the Wilkes Ex- 
 pedition. A systematic course of improvement was inaugu- 
 rated out of the annual appropriations by Congress, begin- 
 ning with the filling of the entire grounds to a depth of 5 to 
 6 ft. 
 
 Lighting of the City. — The lighting of the city is entirely 
 by private companies. The first of these was incorporated in 
 1848. In that year Congress made an appropriation of $2,000 
 
46 
 
 STATUES. 
 
 for paying the Washington Gas Company for lighting the 
 Capitol and Capitol Grounds, to include fixtures ; for laying 
 pipes from the main pipe at the Capitol to the foot of loth st. 
 W., on both sides of Pennsylvania av., and for 100 lamp- 
 posts and lamps and other necessary fixtures. This was the 
 first use of gas in the city. In the same year gas was also 
 first introduced into the President's House. It has since 
 
 fjrown into general use. The Government provides for the 
 ighting of all public buildings and grounds, and the District 
 for avs. and sts. 
 
 Statues. — The statues in the public parks contribute greatly 
 to the adornment of the capital. The principal are Green- 
 oughts Washington, in marble, in the E. Park of the Capitol, 
 and those of Jefferson, E. of the President's House ; Jackson. 
 in Lafayette Square ; and Washington, in Washington Circle, 
 in bronze; the Equestrian Statue of General Scoti,in bronze, 
 is situated on 16th st. W. ; a statue of Lincoln, in marble, 
 ■surmounting a small column of the same material, in front of 
 the City Hall. A description of all statues will be found in 
 connection with the grounds in which they are placed. Statues 
 of Admiral Farragut and General Rawlings have been ordered 
 by Congress. In 1792 Jefferson urged the commissioners of 
 the city to employ one Cerachi, an Italian sculptor, to exe- 
 cute the equestrian statue of Washington ordered by the Con- 
 tinental Congress. The sum of 20,000 guineas was to be the 
 cost, and Jefferson suggested the sale of city lots to supply 
 the funds. No action was taken. In 1794 the same sculptor 
 was brought forward as the best person to design and execute 
 the Monument to American Liberty proposed to be erected 
 E. of the Capitol, in what is now Lincoln Square. This was 
 also abandoned. 
 
 Water Supply.— The water of the city is carried from the 
 Great Falls of the Potomac, by the Aqueduct, a distance of 
 12 m., to a Distributing Reservoir, 2 m. from Rock Creek and 
 4 J m. from the Capitol. The daily supply is 30 million galls, 
 and consumption 17 million galls., or 127 galls, to each per- 
 son — the largest of any city in the world. The full capacity 
 •of the Aqueduct is 80 million galls. A description of this 
 remarkable work will be found in another part of this Hand- 
 book. 
 
 In the effluent screen well at the distributing reservoir are 
 laid four 48-in. mouth-pieces for the supply of the city. Three 
 of these are reduced in the pipe-vault to 36-in., 30-in., and 
 12-in. Leaving the vault these three mains run parallel across 
 the country to a small stream known as Foundry Branch. 
 
WATER SUPPLY. 
 
 47 
 
 Near this point they strike the road along* the Chesapeake 
 and Ohio Canal, which they follow through Bridge and Aque- 
 duct sts., Georgetown, to Kock Creek, a distance of 2 m. On 
 the way the 30 and 12-in. mains cross College Pond, over an 
 arch of 120 ft. span, composed of two 30-in. pipes. The 36-in. 
 main is laid in the bottom of the creek. At Hock Creek two 
 of the three mains are joined, so that the water is conveyed 
 through two 48-in. pipes, which form an arch of 200 ft. span 
 across that stream. These arches also sustain a roadway for 
 a horse railway and general traffic between the cities of 
 Washington and Georgetown. At the E. end of the bridge 
 the three mains are resumed, and following Pennsylvania 
 av. E., the 36-in main, laid by the District, enters L st. N., 
 following it to New Jersey av.; thence by that avenue, in a 
 30-in. main, to Massachusetts av. and B st. N.; thence, in a 
 20-in. main, to 11th st. E., where it terminates; the 30-in. 
 main, laid by the United States from Kock Creek, leaves 
 Pennsylvania av. at the Washington Circle, following K st., 
 Massachusetts and New Jersey avs. to B st. 1ST., and thence 
 is continued in a 20-in. main through B st. N. to 11th st. E. 
 A branch from this main supplies the Botanical Garden, 
 Smithsonian and Arsenal Grounds. The 12-in. main, laid by 
 the United States from Kock Creek, follows the line of Penn- 
 sylvania av. and 8th st. E., thence to the Navy Yard wharf, 
 on the way passing around the Capitol Grounds by A st. N. 
 and 1st st. E. Distance, 4f m.; or 6f m. from the reservoir. 
 
 These mains supply all the public buildings and fountains, 
 besides the daily consumption of the city. The branch pipes 
 for the latter are laid at the expense of the District. By law 
 the water-rates are regulated to cover the expense of laying 
 new pipes and keeping old ones in repair, but cannot be a 
 source of revenue. 
 
 The total length of Distributing Pipes, Nov., 1873, was 
 132.69 m., of which 16.89 were laid by the Washington Aque- 
 duct, 10.41 m. by the late corporation of Georgetown, and 
 105.3 m. by the City of Washington. The pipes are supplied 
 with stop-valves and attachments. There are also upwards 
 of 500 fire-plugs ; also drinking fountains, hydrants, taps, and 
 water-services, water-meters, &c. 
 
 A tax of f of 1 cent, per square foot is assessed upon all 
 property which binds or touches upon any street in which a 
 main water-pipe has been laid. There is also an annual fire- 
 plug tax on all buildings situated within 500 ft. of any main 
 pipe, the owners or occupants of which do not pay an annual 
 water-rate or tax. The annual revenues are about $150,000. 
 
 In founding the capital, it was proposed to utilize the 
 springs within the city, and the Tiber, which entered from 
 
48 
 
 THE HARBOR. 
 
 the X. The elevation of the source of the latter was 236 J 
 ft. above tide. Its water was to be carried to the Capitol. 
 After also supplying the E. part of the city, the excess was 
 to be conducted to the W. front of the Capitol, and form the 
 proposed Cascade, to have a fall of 20 ft. and width of 50 ft. 
 into a reservoir below. Thence the water was to be distributed 
 into three falls across the W. Park, the Botanical Garden, 
 and the Mall. In 1832 one of the earliest efforts in this direc- 
 tion was to convey the water of Smith's Spring*, 2J miles N*. 
 of the Capitol and 30 ft. above its base, in pipes to the reser- 
 voir in the E. Park, and from thence into the building. The 
 surplus was conducted under the building, and feeds the foun- 
 tain in the W. Terrace. In 1836 Congress purchased this 
 spring and 1 acre of land adjoining, and enclosed it. In 1837 
 a scant supply was carried in pipes from the reservoir in the 
 E. Park along the N". side of Penns3dvania av. to the Treas- 
 ury Department, and subsequently to the General Post Office. 
 In 1832 the spring in what is now Franklin Square supplied 
 the President's House and " public offices." It does the same 
 now, though the Aqueduct water has also been introduced. 
 At the same time a new spring at K and 13th sts. N*W. was 
 opened, and carried a supply of 60 gallons a minute to the 
 vicinity of F and 13th sts. NW. Also pipes were laid from 
 a spring on New Jersey av., S. of the Capitol, and from an- 
 other just W. of the Navy Yard, which supplied the SE. sec- 
 tion of city near the Anacostia. Over half a century elapsed 
 before the Aqueduct was built. 
 
 Fountains, — In the public parks and squares are a number 
 of fountains, some of which, though not elaborate in design, 
 contribute greatly to the beauty of the city. The largest is 
 in the Botanical Garden. There are also line ones N". and 
 E. of the President's House and N. of the Treasury Depart- 
 ment. The latter consists of an immense granite urn, in a 
 basin of the same material, with side outlets formed of lions' 
 heads. In Mount Vernon Place is another, with a bronze 
 centre-piece. There are many of smaller dimensions. The 
 first public fountain was erected in 1810, by the corporation 
 and voluntary subscription, and bore the inscription, "By 
 the Mayoralty. Eobert Brent, Esq." 
 
 The Harbor, — In front of Washington the Potomac, re- 
 leased from the hills above Georgetown, expands into a broad 
 lake-like river. 
 
 The Potomac River rises in the Alleghany Mountains, and 
 after a course of 400 m. empties into the Chesapeake Bay. 
 At its confluence with the bay it is 7J m. wide, and in front 
 
THE HARBOR. 
 
 49 
 
 of Washington 1£ m., with 18 ft. of water. The Anacostia 
 at its month is nearly as wide as the main stream, and is 
 fully as deep. Salt water reaches to within 50 m. of the city. 
 The average tide at the Navy Yard is 3 ft. 
 
 The Harboi of Washington consists of a channel extending 
 from Greenleuf's or Arsenal Point, the upper point at the 
 junction of the Anacostia and Potomac, to the foot of 17th 
 st. W., a distance of | m., and also a small channel in the 
 Anacostia. 
 
 The Potomac Channel has an average width of 400 ft. up 
 to Maryland av. or Long Bridge, between the depths of 6 ft. 
 at mean low water, and narrows to 250 ft. at the Arsenal 
 wharf. The greatest depth to the lower wharves at 6th st. 
 SW. is 11 ft., and to Maryland av. 8 ft. Above Long Bridge 
 this channel gradually shoals, and is lost in the flats off 
 17th st. 
 
 The Anacostia Channel has an average width of 350 ft., 
 between the depths of 6 ft. on either side, and narrows to 
 250 ft. The greatest depth to the Navy Yard is 14 ft., and 
 1 m. above is but 6 ft. 
 
 The Harbor of Georgetown consists of a depression in the 
 bed of the Potomac, lying between the town front on the left 
 bank and « small portion of the right or Virginia bank and 
 Analostan Island, near the same bank. This harbor has an 
 average width of 800 ft., with an average depth of 25 ft. at 
 mean low water. The depth over the bar in the main chan- 
 nel of the Potomac just below this harbor is but 10 ft. at 
 mean low water. This depth has been increased to 15 ft. by 
 dredging. 
 
 The Main Channel, starting at the harbor of Georgetown, 
 runs between Analostan Island and Easby's Point, the S. end 
 of 27th st. W., along the bank of the river to the W. end of 
 Long Bridge, and thence to Geisborough, or the lower point 
 of the mouth of the Anacostia. Off this it joins the channel 
 of the Anacostia and that from the Potomac front of Wash- 
 ington. Here the three unite, and form the broad channel, 
 which extends down the main river. The length of the main 
 channel from the canal aqueduct at Georgetown to deep 
 water at Geisborough Point is 4f m. The depth at mean 
 high water at the shoalest place in the Potomac below Wash- 
 ington is 22 ft. Between the main channel of the Potomac 
 and the shore lying between 17th and 27th sts. W. lies an 
 expansive marsh of about 1,000 a., known as the flats, and 
 mostly covered with a rank growth of water-grass. One third 
 is clear at low water, and the remainder is covered from 1 to 
 4 ft. It is stated by the engineers who have made a survey 
 
50 
 
 COMMERCE. 
 
 that these deposits increase yearly as the shores above are 
 cleared of forest. 
 
 Wharves. — The wharves of the city, along the banks of the 
 Potomac, at the foot of 17th St., are used by wood and sand 
 craft ; and 7th st. W., by steamboats and schooners. Those 
 on the Anacostia, W. of the Navy-yard, are used for wood, 
 lumber, coal, stone, sand, and other articles brought to the 
 Washington market. The 17th st. wharves are among 
 the oldest, and were known as early as 1806 as Van Ness 
 wharves, after General Van Ness, their owner. At this point 
 also was the entrance to the old Washington Canal. The 
 ruins of the Van Ness warehouse are still to be seen near by. 
 
 Canal. — For the convenience of the wood, coal, and sand- 
 boats, and other small craft, James Creek, which enters the 
 Anacostia immediately E. of the Arsenal, has been dredged 
 to a depth of 8 ft. at low- water mark, and widened to 60 ft. 
 as far as Virginia av. at its intersection with S. Capitol st. 
 It is the design ultimately to abandon the present wharves at 
 the foot of 17th st. W. The old Washington Canal, which 
 connected the Anacostia at the foot of 2d st. E. with the Po- 
 tomac at the foot of 17th st. W., commenced in 1791 and fin- 
 ished in 1837, has been filled from 3d to 17th sts. W., and a 
 covered sewer built in its place. 
 
 Commerce. — In addition to its central location, consid- 
 ered with reference to the bounds of the United States in 
 1790, the site for the Federal City on the Potomac Eiver also 
 had the advantage of easy water communication with the 
 Chesapeake Bay and the Ocean. Its location was also farther 
 inland than could have been secured on tide water on any 
 other navigable stream on the Atlantic seaboard. In those 
 early days such recommendations were paramount. The pro- 
 ject of improving the navigation of the Potomac and the con- 
 struction of a canal to connect with the head-waters of the 
 Ohio promised an increase of these facilities. Alexandria, 
 7 m. below, already enjoyed a considerable commerce with 
 the cities and towns on the Chesapeake, along the Atlantic 
 coast, and the ports of foreign lands. Georgetown, just above, 
 also had a local trade of some importance. The introduction 
 of steam on the Potomac took place shortly after its satisfac- 
 tory application as a motive power in navigation. The Wash- 
 ington, Alexandria, and Baltimore Steam-packet Company 
 was succeeded by the Washington, Alexandria, and George- 
 town Steam-packet Company, incorporated in 1829. The 
 facilities of travel on the river and bay, and to points N. by 
 sea, have at different times since been largely augmented. 
 
HARBOR IMPROVEMENT. 
 
 51 
 
 Merchant vessels belonging to the customs district of George- 
 town, which includes Washington — 1872, sail 78, 2,081 tons ; 
 steam 25, 5,084J tons; unrigged 309, 18,490J : total 412, 25,- 
 656 tons. There is an extensive home trade on the Potomac 
 Eiver and Chesapeake Bay, and by Sea, with the cities on 
 the Atlantic seaboard. Direct foreign trade, however, is 
 small, all imported goods being received through other ports. 
 In 1872 but one foreign vessel arrived. The dutiable imports 
 amounted to but $1,804, and domestic exports $2,416. 
 
 Harbor Improvement.— In 1872 a board of officers was ap- 
 pointed, under an act of Congress, with a view to the im- 
 provement of the channel of the river and the water fronts 
 of Washington and Georgetown for commercial purposes, 
 and the reclamation of the poisonous marsh opposite the city. 
 The board reported three plans, that most favored proposing 
 but one channel, of sufficient width and depth for all purposes , 
 a direct continuation of the river at Georgetown, to run along 
 the right bank of the river as far down as Gravelly Point, and 
 thence directly toward Geisborough Point on the left bank, 
 joining the deep channel of the river at that point, following 
 nearly the present main channel of the river, and affording a 
 frontage of 7 m. The channel, 23 ft deep, would be of suffi- 
 cient width to enable the largest vessels to move with ease 
 and free from danger of grounding, and also to discharge the 
 heaviest freshets. The great freshet of about 1852 swelled 
 the river at the old Chain Bridge, just below the Little Falls, 
 to a height of 43 feet above mean high water ; at the Aque- 
 duct Bridge, 10 ft. ; at the Arsenal, about 3f m. below, 4| ft.; 
 and at Alexandria, about 3 \ m. still lower down, 2 J ft. The 
 width of channel adopted for the Anacostia is 600 ft., with a 
 depth of 23 ft. at mean low water at the Navy Yard Bridge. 
 For the transshipment of coal from the Chesapeake and Ohio 
 Canal, in front of Georgetown, it is proposed to erect suitable 
 clocks and piers, to be continued by lines of bulkhead, includ- 
 ing piers, the whole commencing at the NE. corner of High 
 and Water sts., Georgetown, and extending along the entire 
 Washington front on the Potomac and Anacostia to the outer 
 end of the N. abutment of Anacostia Bridge. 
 
 With these improvements Long Bridge would be recon^ 
 structed, with spans of not less than 200 ft., and a pivot-draw, 
 with two openings of not less than 160 ft. clear in each, the 
 bridge to be constructed for railroad and ordinary travel. The 
 estimated cost of the whole work is $6,000,000 ; or less expen- 
 sive materials, $4,000,000. Land reclaimed, 1023 a.; time to 
 complete, 4 yrs. 
 
52 
 
 BRIDGES. 
 
 It is proposed to remove the Naval Observatory, and use 
 the earth for filling'. 
 
 Extension of the City.— Long Bridge, to the waterfront, to 
 be designated Railroad Avenue, would be laid out in a road- 
 way 200 ft. wide, with space for rail-tracks in the centre and 
 a carriageway on either side. The irregular space between 
 Maryland av. continued to the water, Railroad av., and the 
 bulkhead, including streets, 44 a., with 4 piers, to be re- 
 served for railroad freight depots and workshops. The Mall 
 would be extended W. to proposed Potomac av., would give 
 an aggregate length of 2 T 1 o- m., and would form a magnifi- 
 cent triple avenue, sweeping away in front of the W. fa- 
 cade of the Capitol, by the side of which would tower the 
 Washington Monument, and along which could be erected 
 -statues and monuments to the memory of the great men of 
 the Republic. The general system of streets and avenues 
 would be extended over the reclaimed ground outside of the 
 Government reservations, 454 a., with the exception of Rail- 
 road av., now Long Bridge and Potomac av., 200 ft. wide, to 
 run the entire length inside the bulkhead. The street, 100 ft. 
 wide inside the bulkheads, on the Anacostia front, called by 
 the name of that stream, would run from the Arsenal to the 
 Navy-j^ard. 
 
 Bridges. — There are no fine bridges across the Potomac or 
 Anacostia connecting Washington with the opposite shore. 
 At the beginning of the present century there were four 
 bridges: one across the Potomac into Virginia, and three 
 across the Anacostia ; all owned by private companies. There 
 are now the Long Bridge across the Potomac, which is also 
 used for a railway, and the Navy Yard and Benning's, or the 
 Upper Bridge, across the Anacostia. The Baltimore and 
 Potomac Railroad Bridge also crosses the Anacostia above 
 the Navy-yard. 
 
 In 1809 a pile bridge, 1 m. long, with a draw on the E. and 
 W. ends, was in use across the Potomac. The SW. end was 
 destroyed in 1814, by order of the Government, during the 
 presence of a foreign enem}^. It was restored in 1816. In 
 1832 the Government purchased it and built a new one, which 
 was destroyed by ice in 1836. It was restored in 1838. In 
 1850 it was proposed to build an iron or stone arched bridge, 
 but after plans were submitted the matter dropped. The 
 railroad portion of the present Potomac bridge was built in 
 1872. The entire structure consists of a way for vehicles 
 and pedestrians and for the track of the Washington and 
 Alexandria Railroad. Near the Washington end is a small 
 draw over the E . channel. From this point a causeway crosses 
 
BRIDGES. 
 
 53 
 
 the marshes of the river to the Virginia channel, which is sur- 
 mounted by a wooden structure, with a draw sufficient to ad- 
 mit of the passage of the largest vessels. It was by this bridge 
 that most of the vast armies of the United States marched into 
 Virginia during the rebellion, 1861-'65. 
 
 In 1S14 the bridges over the Anacostia were also burned 
 by order of the Government. In 1819 the Navy Yard Bridge^ 
 which crosses the Anacostia from the foot of 11th st. E. and 
 terminates at Uniontown, or E. Washington, was built. It 
 is a dilapidated wooden structure, with a small draw. It is 
 proposed to erect a new bridge, with stone abutments and 
 iron superstructure. Above is the Baltimore and Potomac: 
 Railroad Bridge. 
 
 The Chain Bridge across the Potomac at the Little Falls,. 
 4 m. above Washington, connecting the District of Columbia 
 and Virginia, was built before 1811, and was a chain suspen- 
 sion bridge. This name has always been retained, though 
 several structures — the last a Howe truss bridge, partly car- 
 ried away in 1870 — have since been demolished by ice gorges 
 and freshets, whicli rise to 40 ft. The present wrought-iron 
 truss bridge was ordered by Congress in 1872, built by Clark r 
 Reeves & Co., Phcenixville, Penna., was erected and opened 
 in 1874. It is 1,350 ft. long, 20 ft. wide, 26 ft. high, and has & 
 spans, from 1G0 to 170 ft. each. The lloor beams are 15-in.. 
 rolled iron; planking, 3-in. North Carolina Pine ; stands 30* 
 ft. over the main channel, and cost $100,000. The bridge- 
 rests on the old stone piers, raised 18 in., and is free. It is a 
 very fine structure, and the country around is wild and ro- 
 mantic and is well worthy of a visit. It is also visible from, 
 the aqueduct road. 
 
 The other bridges within the District are Benning r s, a 
 wooden structure, J m. above the Navy Yard, and the Aque- 
 duct of the Alexandria Canal at George town. 
 
 All bridges across the Potomac, except the Aqueduct Bridge 
 it Georgetown, are now the property of the Government, 
 ind free to the public. 
 
 Communication between Washington and Georgetown 
 across Rock Creek is maintained by three bridges. The 
 Pennsylvania-av. Bridge is a fine iron structure, consisting 
 of an arch of 200 feet, formed by two 48-in pipes, used to con- 
 vey the aqueduct water into the city, and upon which rests 
 the roadway. The M and P-st. Bridges are also superior 
 specimens of bridge architecture. The James Creek Canal, 
 hi the SE. parts of the city, is spanned by iron and stone 
 bridges. In the county stone culverts are used over natural 
 watercourses. 
 
54 
 
 TELEGRAPHS. 
 
 Street Kailways, —Since 1862, when first incorporated, these 
 popular modes of city convej- ance have been greatly extended. 
 Two lines cross the city E. to W. and two N. to S., and from 
 Pennsylvania av. on 15th st., opposite the NE. angle of the 
 Treasury 1ST., to the Boundary on 14th st. W., and another 
 from the same point to the E . Boundary. New enterprises of 
 this character are laid out or in course of completion. There 
 are 45 m. of st. railway in the two cities and District, estimated 
 on the basis of a single track. [See General Information.] 
 
 Eailroads. — The capital is accessible by railway from all 
 parts of the United States. Previous to the establishment of 
 railways, the Government patronized the opening of wagon- 
 roads and canals to carry all trade centering at the District 
 into the city. A through road of communication across the 
 Alleghenies was fostered and carried to completion. In 1828 
 Congress authorized the railroad company incorporated by 
 the State of Maryland to build a road from Baltimore to Wash- 
 ington, to enter the District and city ; Congress merely re- 
 taining jurisdiction of the soil. This was the first effort- to 
 establish railway communication with the National Capital. 
 A lateral branch of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad into 
 Washington was authorized in 1831. By 1841 there were 
 two trains, daily, each way, between Washington and Balti- 
 more — time, 2\ hours. The incorporation of the Washing- 
 ton and Alexandria in 1854, and the lateral branches of the 
 Baltimore and Potomac in 1867, together with the extensions 
 of the Baltimore and Ohio, have connected the National Cap- 
 ital with the railroad systems of the E., N., W., and S. [See 
 General Information.] 
 
 Telegraphs.— In 1843 Congress appropriated $30,000, to be 
 expended under the Secretary of the Treasury, for testing the 
 capacity and usefulness of the system of electro-magnetic tele- 
 graphs invented by Samuel F. B. Morse, of New York, for the 
 use of the Government of the United States. In 1845 the line 
 was completed between Washington and Baltimore. In 1846 
 Congress ordered that the proceeds of the line be placed in 
 the Treasury of the United States for the benefit of the Post 
 Office Department, in the same manner as revenues from post- 
 ages. From this beginning the present extensive system oi 
 telegraphic communication began. The various lines are now 
 owned by private corporations. The telegraph is now the 
 principal means of conveying intelligence respecting the op- 
 erations of the Government to the people of the country 
 through the newspapers. [See General Information. 1 
 
SECTION III. 
 PUBLIC BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS. 
 
 HISTORICAL RETROSPECT. 
 
 ^^^^^rjHE Legislative and Executive branches of the 
 jtmlfiffl Government occupy buildings erected expressly 
 
 i K IP for their accommodation. The co-ordinate, or J udi- 
 <r 4<^§Hf cial branch, is yet without a structure of its own, 
 ^J^&^i though such provision for its accommodation was 
 originally contemplated. The Capitol is devoted 
 to the purposes of Congress, and affords limited facilities 
 for the sessions and business of the Supreme Court of the 
 United States and Court of Claims. The Executive, with 
 its various departments, occupies a number of buildings. 
 The public edifices used for these purposes are not only 
 attractive in architecture, but are immense in proportions, 
 and practically without limit in durability. They are all 
 built of the best qualities of granite, marble, or freestone, 
 with interior finish of brick, iron, and glass. In comparison 
 with the buildings of other Governments, used strictly for 
 governmental purposes, they are without an equal, and more 
 frequently without a rival. 
 
 The buildings occupied by the executive offices are desig- 
 nated according to the nature of the executive business trans- 
 acted in them. For instance, the Treasury Department con- 
 tains the various offices under the direction of the Secretary of 
 the Treasury. There is one exception, however : the building 
 occupied by the Department of the Interior, which is known 
 as the Patent Office, it having been erected to serve for the 
 display of models. The Patent Office proper is but a bureau 
 of the Department of the Interior. 
 
 The increase of the Government business and the inad- 
 equate accommodations afforded by the public buildings, 
 commodious as they are, has necessitated, in a number of 
 cases, the purchase or renting of private buildings in different 
 parts of the city. 
 
 The Department of Justice occupies the upper portion of 
 55 
 
56 
 
 THE CAPITOL. 
 
 the Freedmen's Bank building. Winder's building, origi- 
 nally erected for a hotel, now owned by the Government, is 
 used by several of the bureaus of the War Department. A 
 number of the bureaus of the other executive offices are 
 similarly provided for. 
 
 The lirst edifices built for the accommodation of the exec- 
 utive offices were the War Office, 450 ft. SW., and the Treas- 
 ury, on a corresponding site SE. of the President's House; 
 the former before and the latter after 1800. Both faced S. 
 The War Office, now the Navy Department, was later trans- 
 ferred to the new building on the N. In 1818 Congress au- 
 thorized the erection of two new buildings N. of those then 
 standing. These were completed during the administration 
 of President Monroe. The four structures were then desig- 
 nated according to their location with respect to the Presi- 
 dent's House; that is, the NE., SE., W., and SW. Execu- 
 tive Buildings — respectively State, Treasury, War, and Navy 
 Departments. The site of the first two is now occupied by 
 the Treasury Department. The War and Navy Departments 
 are still standing, but will shortly be removed, to make room 
 for the new State, War, and Navy Department now build- 
 ing. The first building, designed by George Hadfield, Archi- 
 tect of the Capitol, formed the models for all. They were 
 brick, originally 2 stories high, 120 to 160 ft. front, 60 ft. deep, 
 and 1 0 ft. high, with a freestone basement and Ionic portico. 
 The}' were subsequently raised and otherwise modified. It 
 was originally intended to have a passage between them and 
 the President's House, but this was abandoned. The SE. 
 building, or Treasury Department, was destroyed by fire in 
 March, 1833. It then occupied temporary quarters on Penn- 
 sylvania av. In 1836 the erection of a new Treasury Depart- 
 ment, more suitable in design and dimensions, was com- 
 menced on the site of the old. Before the business of the 
 Government became so great, all the offices were accom- 
 modated in the four buildings. The Patent Bureau then oc- 
 cupied rooms in the NE., the Attorney General's Office and 
 Indian Bureau in the NW., and the General Land Office in 
 the SE. Executive Buildings. 
 
 THE CAPITOL. 
 
 The Capitol of the United States (open every day, except 
 Sunday) stands on the W. brow of the plateau which forms 
 the E. portion of the city. It may be reached from the more 
 populous sections by street cars. Pennsylvania av., from 
 
APPROACHES. 
 
 57 
 
 Georgetown, loads to one of the gates at the foot of the hill, 
 below the W. entrance. From the President's House, by 
 Pennsylvania av., the distance to the Capitol is m., and 
 the same from the most remote of the principal hotels. The 
 street cars pass in front of or close by all the hotels. 
 
 Street Oars. — The Pennsylvania-av. (marked u Capitol") 
 Street Cars, from the W., pass around the Capitol on the S., 
 and by a branch track from S. B st., carry visitors to the 
 SE. angle of the S. Extension, occupied by the House of 
 Eepresentatives. Strangers should be careful to take a car 
 for the Capitol. Those marked "Navy Yard" run within a 
 short distance of the same point. Those of the same line for 
 the Baltimore and Ohio RR. Depot would leave them on the 
 
 line of the grounds, and some distance from the building. 
 The Metropolitan, or F-st Cars, by a branch track, land pas- 
 sengers on the plateau at the NE. angle of the X. or Senate 
 Extension. Strangers should be careful to take a car for the 
 Capitol. The same line of cars to the E. parts of the city on 
 E. Capitol st. also pass near the same point. 
 
 Site, — The Capitol occupies very nearly the centre of the plot 
 of the city, there being 25 sts. E., 27 sts. W., 22 sts. N"., and 21 
 sts. S. On a straight line, however, drawn from NW. to SE., 
 it stands about J in. towards the latter point. The great white 
 Dome which surmounts the mighty pile, rising high in the 
 air, is visible for miles around — indeed from every elevated 
 point in the District. From it, as far as the eye can reach, 
 may be seen rolling hills, broad valleys, and rivers. The E. 
 facade of the building looks out upon the expansive plain of 
 Capitol Hill, with a background of beautiful elevations, 
 those on the right being beyond the Anacostia; the N. 
 across a broad intervening valley to the wooded encircling 
 hills of the city; the S. down upon the low grounds and 
 sparsely settled portions of the city, with the broad Potomac 
 and Anacostia mingling their waters in the distance ; the W. 
 overlooks the business and official quarters, the lawns and 
 groves of the Botanical Garden, the Mall, and the President's 
 Grounds, and the wooded summit of University Square, with 
 the shining domes of the Observatory and Georgetown Heights 
 beyond. 
 
 Approaches.— Broad avs. and sts., 11 in number, from 130 
 to 160 ft. wide, radiate from the Capitol and constitute its ap- 
 proaches as follows : E. front — to the NE. Maryland av., to 
 the SE. Pennsylvania av., and to the E. E. Capitol st.; W. 
 front — to the NW. Pennsylvania av., to the SW. Maryland 
 av., and to the W. lie the Botanical Garden and Mall ; N. 
 
58 
 
 THE GROUNDS. 
 
 front— NE. Delaware av., NW. New Jersey av., to the N. 
 1ST. Capitol st.; S. front — to the SE, New Jersey av., to the 
 SW. Delaware av., and to the S. S. Capitol st. 
 
 The Grounds. — The grounds surrounding the Capitol, en- 
 larged in 1872-'3, by the purchase of squares 687 and 688, for 
 $684,199.15, respectively in the N. E. and S. E. angles form 
 a parallelogram 1,800 ft. E. and W. and 1,250 ft. N. and S., 
 containing 51 J a. The Capitol occupies the centre, and with 
 its massive porticos, broad steps and blockings, towering 
 dome and columns, pilasters, entablatures, with architrave, 
 frieze, and cornice, pediment and balustrade, is one of the 
 most imposing structures in the world. 
 
 In 1874, Congress, for the first time, took steps towards a 
 creditable improvement of these grounds. A topographical 
 survey was made, and Fred. Law Olmstead of New York, 
 landscape architect, authorized to furnish plans. On June 
 23, 1874, $200,000 were appropriated to be expended under 
 the direction of the architect of the Capitol. Mr. Olmstead, 
 charged with the execution of the plans, was aided by John 
 A. Partridge, engineer in charge, and Geo. Kent Eadford, 
 consulting engineer. 
 
 The general features of the improvements are the continua- 
 tion of East Capitol st., to connet with a broad paved carriage 
 court, (Neuchatel pavement,) 300 ft. wide in front of the cen- 
 tral portico. On either side is an undulating space of oval 
 shape. On that portion facing the building is a seat with 
 blue stone plinth, and base, Seneca back and blue stone coping 
 and cap. The seat is divided into 8 spaces by piers of blue 
 stone and Seneca, 3 ft. 4 in. high, surmounted by bronze 
 lamps 12 ft. high. In front is laid a patent Mosaic pavement 
 in colors. 
 
 In front of the central portico stands 6 lamp piers 13 ft. 
 3 in. high, blue stone base, with red sand stone band, and 
 above, blue stone and polished Passamaquoddy (red) granite, 
 in alternate courses, surmounted by bronze lamp posts, 12 ft. 
 high, designed by Thomas Wisedell, of N. Y., cast by Janes, 
 of N. Y., 1874. In the rear, on either side of the main 
 avenue, is a flower casket, base 40 by 30 ft., of blue stone 
 and granite, and surmounted by a bronze vase, from which 
 rises a spray fountain. Around each casket is a pavement 
 similar to that in front of the seat. 
 
 The plans yet to be acted upon for the West Park contem- 
 plate a terrace 50 ft. wide, with supporting walls 10 ft. high. 
 Opposite the central western portico an imposing double 
 flight of steps will descend to a terraced walk, 40 ft. wide 
 
."ll 
 
60 
 
 THE GROUNDS. 
 
 and 1,000 ft. long, terminating in beautiful pavilions. Op- 
 posite the main steps is another descent to the three main 
 diverging foot-ways. 
 
 From the various converging avenues drives and foot ap- 
 proaches lead into the grounds through appropriate entrances, 
 to the carriage court and porte cocheres. At the Pennsylva- 
 nia and Maryland avenue foot approaches, on the west, will 
 be large fountains. In the northeastern space is the Sumner 
 beech, so called in consideration of the Senator's admiration. 
 
 In front of the central western projection of the portico is 
 an oval basin, (78,827 galls.,) which receives the water from a 
 white and blue marble fountain near by, erected in 1834, and 
 fed from a covered reservoir under the carriage court at the 
 head of the main avenue, East Park, supplied from Smith's 
 Spring, 1J m. 1ST. of the Capitol, just NE. of Howard Uni- 
 versity, and purchased in 1832. In this basin, in 1814, stood 
 the Naval Monument to the memory of the officers who fell 
 in the Tripolitan war, 1804, now stands in the U. S. Naval 
 Academy grounds at Annapolis, Md. 
 
 In the E. Park is the colossal statue of George Washington, 
 44 the father of his country," by Horatio Greenou^h, of Mass., 
 ordered by Congress, 1832, for the Rotunda of rhe Capitol, 
 made in Florence, Italy, was 8 years in completion, weighs 
 12 tons, if erect would be 12 ft. high, and cost, including 
 sculptor's work, freight, removals, and attendant expenses, 
 $44,000; of this $5,000 were for transportation from the 
 Washington navy yard to the Rotunda, about 1 m. The large 
 size of the statue has occasioned considerable embarrassment. 
 It was designed b}^ Congress that it should be suitable to the 
 interior of the Capitol. It was found entirely out of propor- 
 tion there. Its final resting place is yet a matter of doubt. 
 
 In the figure, the right hand points to heaven, and the left, advanced, holds a 
 Roman short sword, the handle presented. Over the right arm and lower parts of 
 the body falls a mantle. The seat is ornamented with acanthus leaves and garlands 
 of flowers. The carvings in the back admits of a view of the back of the statue. A 
 small figure of Columbus rests against the left arm of the seat, and of an I«dian 
 against the right. In basso relievo on the right of the seat is represented Phaeton iit 
 his car, drawn by fleet steeds, allegorically, the rising sun, and the crest of the arms 
 of the United States. On the left are represented N. and S. America, as the infant 
 Hercules strangling the serpent, and Iphiclus on the ground shrinking from the con- 
 test. The back of the scat bears the inscription, ''^Simulacrum istud ad magnum 
 Libertatis exemplum nec sine ipsa duratururn. HORATIUS GREENOUGH, Faciabat. 
 ( This statue is for a great example of Liberty, nor without Liberty will the exam- 
 ple endure. Horatio Greenough, Sculptor.) The pedestal is 12 ft. high, and of 
 solid blocks of New England granite. The inscriptions are: S. face, "First in 
 Peace N., " First in War ; " W., 14 First in the hearts of his Countrymen. 1 ' A 
 better effect for the statute, and particularly softening its necessarily coarse lines r 
 would be secured by elevating the pedestal to a height of at least 25 ft. 
 
 In 1840 a United States frigate was despatched by Congress to bring the statue to- 
 the United States. The hatches, however, were not sufficiently large to admit it 
 into the hold. A merchant ship, the Sea, was chartered and altered to accommo- 
 date the unwieldly mass. In 1841 it arrived and was placed in the rotunda of the 
 
THE GROUNDS. 
 
 61 
 
 Capitol. The 
 main door was 
 cut away to ad- 
 mit it, and a pier 
 of masonry e- 
 rected beneath 
 the pavement to 
 support it. Here 
 it was out of pro- 
 portion, and in 
 1842 it was re- 
 moved to the E. 
 Park, where it 
 stood for many 
 years beneath 
 an uncouth shel- 
 ter of pine 
 boards. The sta- 
 tue, while ad- 
 mired as a work 
 of art, has been 
 much criticised 
 as a misconcep- 
 tion of the char- 
 acter in which 
 the subject is 
 held in the hearts 
 of his country- 
 men. A foreign 
 writer has desig- 
 nated it 14 a sort 
 of domestic Ju- 
 piter." 
 
 The Capitol 
 originally stood 
 on the declivity 
 of the hill, and 
 on the W. pre- 
 sented a story 
 below the base 
 line on the E. 
 To correct this 
 defect and great- 
 ly enhance the 
 imposing ap- 
 pearance of the 
 structure, the 
 semicircular 
 range of case- 
 mates, utilized for fuel and storage, was constructed, the outer face forming a beauti- 
 ful green glacis. The terre-pltin is paved with Maryland Seneca stone, with an outer 
 cap of New England granite. In 1828 the terrace was connected with the building by 
 the broad platform opposite the western projection, and the west door was cut through. 
 In 1873 the iron railing which enclosed the grounds was removed to give place to an 
 •enlarged line of enclosure then purchased. 
 
 The configuration of the immediate eminence upon which 
 the Capitolstands has been materially changed and beauti- 
 fied by the hand of art. The original slopes have been mod- 
 ified by terraces and slopes falling to the level of the divergent 
 avenues. There is also an enlarged line of enclosure, em- 
 
 GREENOUGH S STATUE OF WASHINGTON. 
 
62 
 
 GENERAL DESCRIPTION. 
 
 bracing the acquisitions of additional ground. Outside of 
 this runs a paved footwalk, with heavy granite curbing, with 
 handsome lamp-posts, on the line of the thoroughfare^ The 
 boundary streets are also paved and lighted. 
 
 General Description.— The Capitol of the United States, 
 as now completed, is unquestionably the finest and largest 
 building of the kind on the face of the earth, and does credit 
 to the skill of the architects and the taste of the nation. 
 In durability of structure and costliness of material it is also 
 superior to any other. The great edifices of the Old World 
 are accumulations of a number of centuries. The Capitol 
 of the United States is the stupendous work of less than 
 a single century. The elevated seat, formed by nature and 
 art, upon which the Capitol stands, is 89J ft. above ordinary 
 low tide in the Potomac, 1 mile distant, and is admirably 
 adapted to the display of its vast proportions and architecture. 
 The entire length of the building is 751 ft., and the greatest 
 depth, the breadth of the wings, 324 ft., including the porticos 
 and steps. The ground-plan covers about 3 J acres. The struc- 
 ture in detail consists of a main building and two extensions, 
 with connecting corridors. The main or central building is 
 352 ft. in length, and, exclusive of the W. projection, 121J 
 ft. deep, with an E. central colonnaded portico 160 ft. wide, 
 consisting of rows of monolithic Corinthian columns, 24 in 
 number and 30 ft. high, exclusive of pedestals. The portico 
 is elevated on a rustic basement, surmounted by an enriched 
 entablature and pediment, the latter 80 ft. broad. Over this 
 rises an attic story, surmounted by the Dome, 135 ft. in diam- 
 eter. In the rear and on either side of this main portico the 
 edifice rests on a basement to correspond with that of the 
 portico. Above this rises the order, two stories in height, 
 with pilasters, an entablature, frieze, and surmounting bal- 
 ustrade, carried out in the same architectural design. It is 
 proposed, at some future day, to take down this portico, and 
 extend the front of the central building E., to bring it at 
 least on a line with the E. front of the two extensions, so as 
 to perfect the architectural group. Between the original 
 building and each of the extensions, which lie at the X. and 
 S. ends of the building, is a connecting corridor of 44 ft. in 
 length and 56 ft. depth, with four fluted columns on either 
 front. Each extension has a front of 143 ft. facing the E. 
 and W., and depth of 239 ft. along the N". and S. facades. 
 The latter is exclusive of the porticos and steps on the E., 
 which correspond with the main building. 
 
 The facades of each extension are embellished with porti- 
 cos on three sides, those on the E. consisting of 22 fluted 
 
THE DOME. 
 
 63 
 
 monolithic columns in two rows, N. and S., and 10 on the 
 AV. ends, the columns facing the ~N. and S. respectively con- 
 stituting the N. and S. fronts of the building. The porticos 
 of the IS r . and S. facades are 124 ft. front. 
 
 The W, front of the main building presents a central pro- 
 jection of 83 ft. by 160 ft. front, with a recessed colonnade 
 100 ft. in extent, consisting of 10 coupled columns, elevated 
 on a rustic basement, as the E. front, and rising, with its en- 
 tablature and balustrade, to the roof, surmounted by a pan- 
 eled screen or attic. The rest of the W. front is the same 
 as the E. There are no steps on the W. front of the main 
 building, it being entered from the upper terrace. The exten- 
 sions stand on a foundation of granite, raised about 4 ft. on 
 all sides ; the basement or ground floor is reached by granite 
 steps. On the E. facade are three broad flights of steps, 
 which lead to the commencement of the order. Beneath the 
 basement is a sub-basement, visible only and accessible on 
 the outside from the casemated terrace on the W. 
 
 The material employed in the central building first erected 
 is freestone, from the Government quarries at Aquia Creek, 
 about 40 m. below the city, purchased by the Commissioners 
 in 1791. This is painted, in order to conform in general ap- 
 pearance with the wings, w T hich are built of white marble, 
 from Lee, Massachusetts. The marble columns of the exten- 
 sions are from the quarries at Cockeysville, Maryland, about 
 20 m. N. of Baltimore. 
 
 The appropriations made by Congress from 1800 to date 
 for the erection, repair, and preservation of the Capitol 
 amount to $13,000,000. 
 
 The Dome. — Out of the centre of the main building rises 
 the great Dome of the Capitol, designed by Walter, and which 
 replaced a smaller one removed in 1856. It is of the follow- 
 ing dimensions : 
 
 Exterior Height — above the base line of the E. facade of the 
 Capitol to the top of the lantern, 288 ft.; above the W. gate 
 of the park, 360 ft.; above the balustrade of the building, 218 
 ft.; statue of Freedom on the apex, 19 J ft. Total height from 
 base line to crest of statue of Freedom, 307J ft. Total height 
 above low tide in the Potomac, 397 ft. Diameter, 135J ft. 
 
 The Dome rests on an octagonal base or stylobate^ 93 ft. 
 above the basement floor, and as it leaves the top line of the 
 building consists of & peristyle, 124 ft. in diameter, of 36 iron 
 fluted columns, 27 ft. high, and weighing 6 tons each. Above 
 this is a balustrade. From the entablature of the peristyle 
 to the attic is 44 ft. Above the balustrade begins the domi- 
 cal covering. The apex is surmounted by a lantern, 15 ft. in 
 
64 
 
 THE DOME 
 
 diameter and 50 ft. high, surrounded by a peristyle, and 
 crowned by tiie bronze Statue of Freedom. Just below the 
 lantern is a balustrade around the crowning platform. The 
 outer domical shell is pierced with glazed openings for the 
 admission of light. In the lantern is a reflecting lamp, lighted 
 by electricity, and used only when either or both Houses of 
 Congress are sitting at night. This light is visible from all 
 parts of the city. 
 The Statue of Freedom, by Crawford, 1865, which sur- 
 mounts the lantern of the Dome, rep- 
 resents the figure of a female, the r. 
 hand resting on the hilt of a sheathed 
 sword; the 1. on a shield, and holding 
 a wreath. The crest of the helmet con- 
 sists of an eagle's beak, embellished 
 with plumes of feathers. This head- 
 gear was not the conception of the 
 artist, but an after-suggestion. The 
 original model represented a simple 
 head-band, encircled with stars. The 
 drapery of the figure is both chaste and 
 striking. Over an inner garb is a fur- 
 red robe, tastefully adjusted over the 
 1. shoulder and falling over the 1. arm ; 
 at the waist it is gathered in loose folds, 
 and held by a brooch, bearing the let- 
 ters U. S. The attitude of the statue 
 exhibits in a striking degree the beauty 
 of feminine grace with decision. The 
 statue is 19J ft. high, and the weight of 
 bronze 14,985 lbs., or 6 tons (2,240 lbs.) 
 and 1,545 lbs. It was cast at Clark 
 Mills' foundry at Bladensburg, 5 m. 
 NE. of Washington, and cost $23,796. The statue stands on 
 a bronze capping for the Dome, representing a globe, with 
 an encircling zone, upon which are the words "F Plvribus 
 Unitm." The weight of iron used in the Dome is 8,009,200 
 ft>s., or 3,575 tons (2,240) 1,200 lbs. The Dome stands upon 
 a substruction of masonry, which forms the foundation of the 
 outside walls, and also upon 40 interior columns, which sup- 
 port heavy arches, upon which rests the pavement of the 
 Kotunda. The casting and erecting of the iron work of the 
 immense structure was done by Janes, Beebe & Co., New 
 York. There are two smaller domes and a number of lan- 
 terns and skylights. The roof of the entire building is cov- 
 ered with copper. 
 
 STATUE OF FREEDOM. 
 
PORTICOS. 
 
 65 
 
 The following are the dimensions of the three greatest 
 domes of Europe : 
 
 St . Peter's, Koine, from the pavement to the base of the 
 lantern, 405 ft. ; to the top of the cross outside, 458 ft.; ex- 
 terior diameter of the cupola, 195 J ft. ; interior, 139 ft. St. 
 Paul's*, London, England, to the top of the cross, 404 ft.;! 
 diameter, 112 ft. Hotel cles Invalides, Paris, France, over 
 the Tomb of Napoleon, 323 ft. 
 
 It will be seen that the Dome of the Capitol of the United 1 
 United States ranks fifth in height and fourth in diameter. 
 The dome of the Cathedral of St. Isaac, at St. Petersburg, the 
 National Church of Russia, is 363 ft. in height, and is also a 
 magnificent structure, built of iron and bronze. 
 
 Porticos.— The E. facade of the Capitol is broken by three 
 grand porticos, reached by broad flights of steps, and from 
 which open the three principal doorways. Beneath each of 
 these porticos are massive vaulted carriage ways to the base- 
 ment entrances, the centre one of which opens into the Crypt. 
 The main Portico^ 160 ft. in length, consists of 24 monolithic 
 columns, 30 ft. high. On the tympanum of the pediment is 
 an allegorical group in alto relievo, by Persico, an Italian, 
 representing the Genius of America. The principal figure, 
 representing America, is of semi-colossal size, and standing 
 on a broad unadorned plinth, holding in her hand a poised 
 shield, with U. S. A. emblazoned in the centre of a ray of 
 glory. The shield, which is oval, represents an ornamented ( 
 altar, in the centre of which is a wreath of oak leaves, in basso 
 relievo, encircling J uly 4, 1776. In the rear of the figure rests \ 
 a broad spear, and at her feet an eagle, with partly-spread 
 wings. The head of the figure is crowned with a star, and 
 inclines towards the figure of " Hope," who is addressing her. 
 The right arm of "Hope V is raised, and the left rests on the. 
 stock of an anchor, the hand grasping part of the drapery. 
 The Genius of America, in reply to Hope, who is recounting 
 the glory of the nation, points to the figure on the other side, ,.- 
 which represents Justice, with eyes uplifted, and holding in " 
 the right hand a partly-unrolled scroll, on which is inscribed 1 
 " Constitution of the United States," and in the left the scales^ 
 Justice has neither bandage nor sword, representing that 
 American justice judges intelligently. The emblematic char- 
 acter of the group suggests that, however Hope may flatter, 
 all prosperity should be founded in public right and the pres- 
 ervation of the Constitution. The execution of the work is 
 excellent, but cannot be entirely appreciated from its raised 
 position. All the figures are cut in sandstone, and 7 J ft. in 
 height. The sculptor at first contemplated giving more 
 5 
 
66 
 
 PORTICOS. 
 
 nudity to the group, but being persuaded that it was con- 
 trary to the sentiment of the people of the United States, went 
 to the other extreme. The ascent to this portico is by an im- 
 posing flight of freestone steps, flanked on either side' by mas- 
 sive buttresses. On the S. buttress stands a semi-colossal 
 group of statuary by Persico, an Italian, 1846, representing 
 the Discovery of America, in a figure of Columbus, holding 
 aloft a small globe, on the top of which is inscribed America 
 At his side crouches an astonished and awe-stricken Indian 
 maiden. The group consumed 5 years in execution, and 
 cost $24,000. It is said that the armor is true to a rivet, hav- 
 ing been copied from a suit in the palace of the descendants 
 of the discoverer at Genoa. The corresponding group on 
 the N. buttress, by Greenough, 1842, represents the First Set- 
 tlement of America, consisting of five figures : a hunter rescu- 
 ing a woman and child from the murderous Indian, while by 
 the side is a faithful dog. The work consumed about 12 
 years in execution, and cost $24,000. It is of Servazza mar- 
 ble. Persico was first designated to make this group. In the 
 niches on the r. and 1. of the great Bronze Door, opening into 
 the Rotunda, are the colossal statues of Peace and War, both 
 by Persico, 1832. Peace is represented by the Goddess Ceres, 
 a gentle maiden, with loose flowing robes and sandals. In 
 her r. hand she bears fruit, and her 1. an olive branch. War 
 is represented by Mars, a stern warrior, attired in Roman 
 toga, belt, and tunic, with helmet and sandals. The tunic 
 bears the symbols of his victims. The statues are of the 
 finest quality of Cararra marble, each 9 ft. in height, were 
 5 years in execution, and cost $12,000 apiece. Both are fine 
 specimens of art. Over the Bronze Door is a basso relievo by 
 Capellano, 1827, representing Fame and Peace in the act of 
 placing a laurel wreath upon the brow of Washington. In 
 panels on either side are bundles of radiating arrows, with 
 surroundings of leaves. 
 
 The E. Portico of the North or Senate Extension is reached 
 by a broad flight of 46 marble steps, broken by 4 landings, 
 and flanked by massive cheek-blocks, carrying out the design 
 of the central Portico. This portico measures 143 ft., and is 
 adorned by a double row of monolithic Corinthian columns, 
 22 in all, 30 ft. high, exclusive of base, and is surmounted 
 by a pediment of 72 ft. span. The group of figures on the 
 Tympanum, by Thomas Crawford, symbolizes the Progress 
 of Civilization in the United States. The centre figure repre- 
 sents America, with the rising sun in the background. On 
 her r. are figures of War and Commerce, Youth and Educa- 
 tion, Mechanics and Agriculture. On her 1. the Pioneer, the 
 Hunter, and the Aboriginal Race. The latter is represented 
 
MAIN BRONZE DOOR. 
 
 67 
 
 by an Indian and squaw, with an infant in her arms, seated 
 by a filled grave, typical of the decadence of the red race. 
 This group, ordered in 1862, was cut by Italians, out of Amer- 
 ican marble from Massachusetts, and cost $45,950. 
 
 The E . Portico of the South or "House ' ' Extension, in archi- 
 tectural design, dimensions, and material, is the same as 
 that of the N. Extension. The portico is without statuary 
 or sculptured embellishment ; yet, with its beautiful marble 
 columns supporting the entablature and surmounting pedi- 
 ment, it is grand in its nude proportions. 
 
 The W. facade, the central projection and extensions, and 
 the N". and S. faces of the building, are decorated with col- 
 onnades, of beautiful proportions, and surmounted by balus- 
 trades, all in harmony with the porticos on the E. 
 
 Main Bronze Door. — The great Bronze Door, designed and 
 modeled in Rome, in 1858, by 
 Randolph Rogers, and cast in 
 bronze in Munich in 1860 by F. 
 v. Miller, fills the main door- 
 way, from the grand Portico 
 into the Rotunda. The leaves 
 or valves of the door, which is 
 double, stand in a superbly en- 
 riched casing, also of bronze, 
 and, opened, fold back into suit- 
 ably fitted jambs. The entire 
 height is 19 ft; width, 9 ft.; 
 weighs 20,000 lbs, and cost §28,- 
 000. Each leaf is divided into 
 8 panels, in addition to the 
 transom-panel under the arch. 
 Each of these contains a com- 
 plete scene, in alto relievo. The 
 back of the door is finished with 
 a simple star in the centre of 
 each panel, corresponding witli 
 the front. A plain molding re- 
 lieves the blank space of each. 
 
 The great Bronze Door is a credit to the 
 magnificence and magnitude of the Capi- 
 tol. In 1S62, contrary to the views of Mr. 
 Walter, Architect of the Capitol, it was 
 placed in the S. doorway of the old Hall of 
 Representatives, now the Hall of Statuary. 
 MAIN BRONZE DOOB. In 1871 it was removed, and has since 
 
 (See pages 63, 69.) properly constituted the main door to the 
 
 Capitol. In the event of the projection of this portico to the east line of the Exten- 
 sions, the Bronze Door, it is suggested by the architect, should form the inner or 
 vestibule door, where the architecture should be in harmony with its design. 
 
68 
 
 MAIN BRONZE DOOR. 
 
 The events portrayed on the door constitute the principal 
 events in the Life of Columbus and the Discovery of 
 America, with an ornate enrichment of emblematic de- 
 signs. On the key of the arch of the casing is a Head of 
 Columbus; a very excellent piece of facial execution. On 
 the sides of the casing are four admirable typical statuettes, 
 placed in niches at the top and bottom of the door, and 
 arranged chronologically: A, Asia; B, Africa; C, Europe; 
 D, America, The rest of the casing is embellished with a 
 running border of ancient armor, banners, and heraldic de- 
 signs; and at the bottom, on either side, an anchor — all in 
 basso relievo, and emblematic of Navigation and Conquest. 
 On the frame of each leaf of the door, set in niches, are six- 
 teen statuettes of the patrons and contemporaries of Colum- 
 bus. They are given as nearly as possible in the order of the 
 importance of their association with the promulgation and 
 execution of his theory, or in the extension of the range of 
 geographical exploration inaugurated by him. The first 8 
 figures are associated in pairs when the doors are closed; 
 when opened, they are divided, but should be examined in 
 the order of the references. 
 
 1. Alexander VI, Roderigo Lenzoli Borgia, a native of Spain, Pope of Rome 
 1492-1503. 
 
 2. Pedro Gonzales dc Mendoza, Archbishop of Toledo, and Grand Cardinal of 
 Spain, a man of great influence at court, and early patron of Columbus. 
 
 3. Ferdinand, King of Spain, royal patron of the undertaking of Columbus. 
 
 4. Isabella, Queen of Spain, and royal patroness of Columbus. 
 
 5. Charles VIII, King of France, an enlightened monarch and friend to the cause 
 of discovery. 
 
 6. Lady Beatriz de Bobadilla, Marchioness of Moya, and friend of Columbus. It 
 is said that the likeness is of Mrs. Rogers, wife to the sculptor. 
 
 7. John II, King of Portugal, the monarch who rejected the proposals of Colum- 
 bus. 
 
 8. Henry VII, King of England, appealed to by Bartholomew Columbus on behalf 
 of his brother; meantime the discovery was accomplished under the auspices of 
 Spain. 
 
 9. Juan Perez de Marchena, prior of the Convent of La Rabida, and friend to 
 Columbus. 
 
 10. Martin Alonzo Pinzon, commander of the Pinta, the second vessel in the first 
 fleet across the ocean. 
 
 11. Hernando Cortez, early companion of Columbus, and conqueror of Mexico. 
 
 12. Bartholomew Columbus, brother to Christopher, advocate of his theory at the 
 court of Henry VII, and first Adelentado of Hispaniola. It is said that the likenesf 
 is of the sculptor. 
 
 13. Alonzo de Ojeda, a companion of Columbus in his first voyage of discovery, 
 and one of the most daring of his contemporaries. 
 
 14. Vasco Nunez de Balboa, discoverer of the Pacific Ocean from the Isthmus of 
 Darien. 
 
 15. Amerigo Vespucci, one of the earlier discoverers of the main land of America, 
 author of the first account of the New World, and from whom the continent takes its 
 name. 
 
 16. Francisco Pizarro, conqueror of Peru. 
 
MAIN BRONZE DOOR. 
 
 The panels illustrate in alto relievo the leading events in the 
 career of Columbus, beginning at the lower panel of the r. or 
 S. leaf of the door. 
 
 I. Columbus examined before the Council of Salamanca respecting his theory 
 of the globe, which was rejected. 
 
 II. Departure of Columbus for the Spanish court from the Convent of La Rabida, 
 near Palos. 
 
 III. Audience at the court of Ferdinand and Isabella. 
 
 IV. Departure of Columbus from Palos on his first voyage of discovery. 
 
 V. Transom panel, Columbus landed on the Island of San Salvador, and taking 
 possession in the name of his sovereign. 
 
 VI. Encounter with the natives. 
 
 VII. Triumphal entree of Columbus into Barcelona. 
 VIII. Columbus in chains. 
 
 IX. The death-bed of Columbus. He died at Valladolid, May 20, 1506, aged 70 
 years. His last words were: " In manus tuas, Domine, commendo spiritum meum" 
 " Into thy hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit." Thirty years after his remains 
 were transferred to the Cathedral of San Domingo, on the island of that name. In 
 1796, when the Spaniards lost their hold on the island, they were removed to Havana. 
 
 Between the panels are a series of heads, representing the 
 historians of the voyages of Columbus and his followers. That 
 above the lower or N. panel of the door is Washington Irving, 
 and in the corresponding position opposite W. H. Prescott. 
 
 The three most celebrated bronze doors of Europe are in Florence, in the Church 
 of the Baptistry of St. John. The centre one, by Lorenzo Ghiberti, 1420-' 50, con- 
 sumed 30 years in execution, and illustrates scenes in the Old Testament. Michael 
 Angelo declared this gate worthy to be the portal of Paradise. The others are by 
 Andrea Pisano, 1330, and Ghiberti, 1400-'' 20. The latter illustrates scenes in the 
 New Testament. 
 
 Eotnnda. — From the central Portico, passing through the 
 great Bronze Door, the visitor stands under the lofty canopy 
 of the Rotunda. The height from pavement to canopy is 
 180 ft., and diameter 96 ft. The circuit of the sides is di- 
 vided into eight panels, separated by massive Roman pilas- 
 ters, supporting an entablature ornamented with wreaths of 
 olive. Festoons of elaborately traced flowers, scrolls, and 
 wreaths embellish the upper portions of these panels. The 
 wreaths over the panels encircle busts of Columbus, 1. of W. 
 door; Cabot, 1. of E. door; Raleigh, r. of W. door; and La 
 Salle, r. of E. door, four names most conspicuously identified 
 witii the history of the early discovery and exploration of the 
 iN*. American continent, executed by Capellano and Caucici, 
 Italians, both pupils of Canova, ordered in 1827, and cost, with 
 the frieze and wreath- work, $9,500. Over the four entrances 
 are historical subjects in alto relievo, ordered in 1826, cost 
 each $3,500. 
 
 E. Door, — Landing of the Pilgrims, 1620 : Caucici, a pupil 
 of Canova. W. Door. — Pocahontas Saving the Life of Cap- 
 tain Smith : Capellano, 1821, a pupil of Canova. N. Door,— 
 
70 
 
 ROTUNDA. 
 
 William Penn Holding a Conference with the Indians, 1682 : 
 Gavelot, 1827. S. Door. — Daniel Boone in Conflict with the 
 Indians, 1773 : Caucici. All these are wretched caricatures. 
 
 It is designed to ornament the frieze, 300 ft. in length, with 
 sculpture, representing the history of the United States, and 
 make other improvements in this part of the Capitol. In the 
 panels between the doors of the Rotunda are historical paint- 
 ings, four illustrating the discovery and settlement of North 
 America, and four the leading events in the struggle for in- 
 dependence. 
 
 The Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776. — 
 Trumbull. Ordered 1817, cost $8,000. The painting in the 
 panel on the r. of the S. door represents the memorable 
 Congress of 1776 at the moment of signing that instrument 
 of American liberty. In the disposition of the characters the 
 artist consulted Jefferson and Adams, both of whom were 
 present. The style of dress, the furniture, and the hall itself, 
 are exact reproductions of the time and place. The promi- 
 nent group of figures on the r. in the painting are Jefferson 
 of Va., the author of the instrument before named, Adams 
 of Mass., Franklin of Penn., Hancock of Mass., Kutledge of 
 S. C, and Thompson of Penn. For variety of composition, 
 the Committee of Five are represented as having advanced in 
 a body to the President's table, instead of reporting in the 
 usual form, through their chairman. The rigid dignity of the 
 scene and the expression of determination on every counte- 
 nance will be observed. 
 
 The names of the individuals represented, commencing on 
 the observer's left (the right of the picture) and following the 
 line towards the r. are — 
 
 I, George Wythe, of Va.; 2, William Whipple, and 3, Josiah Bartlett, of N. H.; 
 4, Benjamin Harrison, of Va.; 5, Thomas Lynch, of S. C.j 6, Richard Henry Lee, 
 of Va.; 7, Samuel Adams, of Mass.; 8, George Clinton, of N. Y.; 9, William Paca, 
 and 10, Samuel Chase, of Md.; 11, Lewis Morris, and 12, William Floyd, of N. Y.; 
 13, Arthur Middleton, and 14, Thomas Heyward, of S. C; 15, Charles Carroll, of 
 Md.; 16, George Walton, of Ga.; 17, Robert Morris, 18, Thomas Willing, and 19, 
 Benjamin Rush, of Penn.; 20, Elbridge Gerry, and 21, Robert Treat Paine, of Mass.; 
 22, Abraham Clark, of N. J.; 23, Stephen Hopkins, and 24, William Ellery, of R. I.; 
 25, George Clymer, of Penn.; 26, William Hooper, and 27, Joseph Hewes, of N. C; 
 28, James Wilson, of Penn.; 29, Francis Hopkinson, of N. J.; 30, John Adams, of 
 Mass.; 31, Roger Sherman, of Conn., 32, Robert L. Livingston, of N. Y.; 33, Thomas 
 Jefferson, of Va.; 34, Benjamin Franklin, of Penn.; 35, Richard Stockton, N. J.; 36, 
 Francis Lewis, N. Y.; 37, John Witherspoon, of N. J.; 38, Samuel Huntington, 39, 
 William Williams, and 40, Oliver Wolcott, of Conn.; 41, John Hancock, of Mass.; 
 42, Charles Thompson, of Penn.; 43, George Read, Del.; 44, John Dickinson, of 
 Penn.; 45, Edward Rutledge, of S. C; 46, Thomas McKean, of Del.; and 47, 
 Philip Livingston, of N. Y. 
 
 The Surrender of Burgoyne, October, 1777.— -Trum- 
 bull. Ordered 1817, cost $8,000. The painting in the pan- 
 el on the 1. of the W. door represents the surrender of the 
 
ROTUNDA. 
 
 71 
 
 SECTIONAL VIEW OF THE DOME. 
 (From Washington Inside and Outside. "> 
 
72 
 
 ROTUNDA. 
 
 British Gen. Burgoyne to the American Gen. Gates at Sara- 
 toga. The scene portrayed represents Burgoyne, attended 
 by Gen. Phillips and other officers, dismounted, and near the 
 marquee of the American commander, offering his sword to 
 Gen. Gates, who advances, but declines to receive the token 
 of submission, and invites the fallen general into his quar- 
 ters. On the r. of Gates is a group of the principal officers 
 of the American army of the N. In the background will be 
 observed the British army at the confluence of Fish Creek and 
 N. River. The troops, in long lines, under the direction of 
 Col. Lewis, Quartermaster General of the American army, 
 and headed by American, British, and German officers, are 
 moving across the creek and meadows towards the place of 
 surrender in the foreground. 
 
 The portraits introduced, beginning on the observer's left, 
 are — 
 
 I, Maj. Lithgow, of Mass.; 2, Col. Cilly, and 3, Gen. Starke, of N. H.; 4. Capt. 
 Seymour, of Conn., of Sheldon's Horse ; 5, Maj. Hull, and 6, Col. Greaton, of Mass.; 
 7, Maj. Dearborn, and 8, Col. Scammell, of N.H.; 9, Col. Lewis, of N. Y., Quarter- 
 master General; 10, Maj. Gen. Phillips, of the British army; II, Lieut. Gen. Bur- 
 goyne, Commander of the British forces; 12, Gen. Baron Rcidesel, of the British 
 army, (German); 13, Col. Wilkinson, Deputy Adjutant General of the American 
 army; 14, Gen. Gates, Commander of the American forces; 15, Col. Prescott, of 
 Mass. Volunteers; 16, Col. Morgan, of the Va. Riflemen; 17, Brig. Gen. Rufus 
 Putnam, and 18, Lieut. Col. Brooks, of Mass ; 19, Rev. Mr. Hitchcock, of R» I., 
 Chaplain; 20, Maj. Robert Troup, of N. Y., Aid-de-Camp ; 21, Maj. Haskell, of 
 Mass.; 22, Maj. (after Gen.) Armstrong, Aid-de-Camp ; 23, Maj. Gen. Philip Schuy- 
 ler, of N. Y.; 24, Brig. Gen. Glover, of Mass.; 25, Brig. Gen. Whipple, of the N. 
 H. Militia; 26, Maj. Clarkson, of N. Y., Aid-de-Camp; and 27, Maj. Stevens, of 
 Mass., commanding artillery. 
 
 The Surrender of Cornwallis, October, 1781.— 
 Trumbull. Ordered 1817, cost $8,000. The painting on the 
 r. of the W. door represents the closing scene in the contest 
 between the Colonies and the mother country, the surrender 
 of the army of Lord Cornwallis to the Americans at York- 
 town, Virginia. 
 
 The event is associated with an incident which should be 
 borne in mind in order to comprehend what might seem out 
 of keeping. About 18 months before the surrender, Gen. 
 Lincoln, in command of the American forces at Charleston, 
 S. C, had been obliged to capitulate to the British. Lord 
 Cornwallis at that time refused to allow the American com- 
 mander to march out of the city with colors flying and other 
 honors customary under the circumstances. The terms of 
 surrender accorded to Lord Cornwallis in this instance were 
 the same as he had granted to Gen. Lincoln. Gen. Wash- 
 ington, the Commander-in-Chief, and to whom the honor of 
 receiving the surrender was due, appointed Gen. Lincoln to 
 superintend the submission of the British, in the same man- 
 
ROTUNDA. 
 
 73 
 
 ner as the American Gen. and his troops had been treated at 
 Charleston. 
 
 The American forces will be seen in order of battle on the 
 r. of the road leading into York ; Washington and the Ameri- 
 can general officers resting on the r. of the line. The French 
 troops face the Americans from the opposite side of the road, 
 with Gen. Rochambeau and the chief officers of the French 
 army and navy on their 1. The British troops, with shoul- 
 dered arms, colors cased, and drums beating, are filing out of 
 the town, approaching the two lines of the victorious Ameri- 
 cans and French to the place of surrender, from whence, hav- 
 ing grounded and left their arms, they will march back un- 
 armed to their quarters. 
 
 The scene itself represents Lord Cornwallis and his chief 
 officers, under the direction of Gen. Lincoln, passing the op- 
 posite groups of American and French generals and entering 
 between the two lines of the victors. By this disposition the 
 chief actors in the scene are brought out boldly. In the dis- 
 tance the town of York is visible, with the conquered troops 
 marching out. York River and the Chesapeake Bay are also 
 brought in, and afford a general idea of the topographical sur- 
 roundings. It may be added, with respect to the French offi- 
 cers, that their portraits were obtained from Paris, in 1787, 
 and were taken from life, at the residence of Mr. Jefferson, 
 then Minister of the United States to France. 
 
 The following are the portraits given, commencing on the 
 observer's 1. : 
 
 i, Count Deuxponts; 2, Duke de Laval Montmorency, and 3, Count Custine, 
 Cols, of French Infantry; 4. Duke de Lauzun, Col. of French Cavalry; 5, Gen. 
 Choizy ; 6, Viscount Viomeuil; 7, Marquis de St. Simon; 8, Count Fersen, and 
 9, Count Dumas, Aids-de-Camp to Count Rochambeau; 10, Marquis Chastellux ; 
 11, Baron Viomeuil; 12, Count de Barre and Count de Grasse, Admirals in the 
 French Navy; 14, Count Rochambeau, Gen. -in-Chief of the French forces; 15, 
 Gen. Lincoln, American Army; 16, Col. Stevens, American Artillery; 17, Gen. 
 Washington, Commander-in-Chief; 18, Thomas Nelson, Gov. of Va. ; 19, Mar- 
 quis Lafayette; 20, Baron Steuben; 21, Col. Cobb, Aid-de-Camp to Gen. Wash- 
 ington ; 22, Col. Trumbull, Secretary to Gen. Washington ; 23. Maj. Gen. Clinton, 
 of N. Y. ; 24, Gen. Gist, of Md. ; 25, Gen. Wayne, of Pcnn. ; 26, Gen. Hand, of 
 Penn., Adjutant General; 27, Gen. Peter Muhlenberg, of Penn. ; 28, Maj. Gen. 
 Knox, Commander of Artillery ; 29, Lieut. Col. Huntingdon, acting Aid to Gen. 
 Lincoln; 30, Col. Timothy Pickering, Quartermaster General ; 31, Col. Alexander 
 Hamilton, commanding Light Infantry; 32, Col. Laurens, ofS. C. ; 33, Col. Wal- 
 ter Stuart, of Penn., and 34, Col. Nicholas Fish, of N. Y. 
 
 Kesignation of General Washington, Dec. 23, 1783 : 
 Trumbull. Ordered 1817, cost $8,000. The painting on the 
 1. of the jS". door represents Washington returning his com- 
 mission to the President of Congress. The great contest 
 was over. Peace had been proclaimed. That great patriot 
 had withdrawn from the army at New York, on which occa- 
 sion many of those who were thus to be forever deprived of 
 
74 
 
 ROTUNDA. 
 
 his leadership shed tears. It was Dec. 23, 17S3, in the State 
 House at Annapolis, Maryland. The patriot commander was 
 surrounded by his officers, in the presence of the Congress 
 of the infant Republic, and was now about to restore to Con- 
 gress his commission, and with it the authority with which 
 they had invested him in the dark and trying times of the 
 war. He had completed a touching address. After con- 
 gratulating Congress upon the successful issue of the con- 
 flict, expressing his obligations to the army, and committing 
 the future to the protection of Almighty God, he closed with 
 the words : " Having now finished the work assigned me, I 
 retire from the great theatre of action, and bidding an affec- 
 tionate farewell to this august body, under whose orders I 
 have so long acted, I here offer my commission, and take my 
 leave of all the employments of public life." It may be men- 
 tioned, as a coincidence, that the President of Congress was, 
 in 1775, the first aid-de-camp to the illustrious general. 
 
 The portraits introduced, commencing on the observer's 
 left, are — 
 
 I, Thomas Mifflin, of Penn., President of Congress; 2, Charles Thompson, of 
 Penn.; 3, Elbridge Gerry, of Mass.; 4, Hugh Williamson, of N. C ; 5, Samuel 
 Osgood, of Mass.; 6, Edward McComb, of Del.; 7, George Partridge, of Mass.; 
 8, Edward Lloyd, of Md. ; 9, R. D. Spaight, of N. C.; 10, Benjamin Hawkins, of 
 N. C. ; 11, A. Foster, of N. H. ; 12, Thomas Jefferson and Arthur Lee, of Va. ; 
 14, David Howell, of R. I.; 15, James Monroe, of Va. ; and 16, Jacob Reed, of S. 
 C, all members of Congress; 17, James Madison, of Va., spectator; 18, William 
 Ellery, of R. J. ; 19, Jeremiah Townley Chase, of Md. ; 20, S. Hardy, of Va. ; and 
 21, Charles Morris, of Penn., members of Congress ; 22, General Washington, of 
 Va. ; 23, Cols. Walker and Humphreys, aids-de-camp; 25 and 26, Gens Small- 
 wood and Williams, and 27 and 28, Cols. Smith and Howard, of Md. ; 29, Charles 
 Carroll and two daughters, of Md. ; 30, Mrs. Washington and her three grand- 
 children ; and 31, Daniel Jenifer of St. Thomas, of Md., spectators. 
 
 In the corresponding panels on the opposite or E. side of 
 the Rotunda, beginning on the 1. of the S. door leading to 
 the House of Representatives, are four paintings of historical 
 events connected with the discovery and early settlement of 
 America. 
 
 Baptism of Pocahontas, 1613: Chapman. Ordered 
 1836, cost $10,00*0. The scene is at Jamestown, in Virginia, 
 the first permanent white settlement on the American con- 
 tinent. Pocahontas, the daughter of the Indian king Pow- 
 hatan, had already given evidence of her attachment for the 
 whites, and had saved the settlement from extirpation at the 
 hands of her ruthless people. The Indian princess is in the 
 act of receiving the sacred rite of baptism. John Rolfe, her 
 future husband, stands by her side. The relatives of the prin- 
 cess are present. Her uncle, with revengeful look, watches 
 the scene. 
 
 The portraits introduced, commencing on the observer's 1., 
 are — 
 
ROTUNDA. 
 
 7& 
 
 I, Standard Bearer; 2, the Page; 3, John and Ann Laydon, first married in the 
 country; 4, Sir Thomas Dale; 5, Alexander Whitaker; 6, Hans Spilman; 7, Po- 
 cahontas; 8, Mr. and Mrs. Forrest, first settlers; 9, John Rolfe; 10, Sister to Poca- 
 hontas; 11, Nantequas, brother to Pocahontas; iz, Opechaucanough ; 13, Opachisco > 
 uncle to Pocahontas; 14, Richard Whiffin. 
 
 Discovery of the Mississippi River by De Soto, 
 May, 1541 : Powell. Ordered 1850, cost $12,000. The paint- 
 ing is intended to represent De Soto and his party arriv- 
 ing on the banks of the Mississippi, after a toilsome march 
 through swamp and forest from distant Florida. The paint- 
 ing, however, does not verify history. The discoverers had 
 endured great privations, and, ragged and worn, took to the 
 river in canoes, in hopes of escape from their sufferings. De 
 Soto succumbed to the fatigues of the march, and was buried 
 in the river. On the r. will be seen the Mississippi, filled with 
 green islands, and canoes laden with savages approaching or 
 landing on the banks near at hand. 
 
 The portraits and prominent characters and objects repre- 
 sented, commencing on the observer's L, are — 
 
 I, Soldier dressing his wounded leg ; 2, a young Spanish cavalier; 3, a confessor j, 
 4, a group cf standard bearers and helmeted men ; 5, a cannon being placed in po- 
 sition by artillerymen; 6, a Moorish servant; 7, De Soto mounted; 8, camp chest r 
 with arms, helmets, and other accoutrements and implements of war; 9, two young 
 Indian maidens; 10, Indian chiefs bringing the pipe of peace; II, old priest bless- 
 ing the cross; 12, ecclesiastic bearing the censer; 13, stalwart men planting the 
 cross. 
 
 The first engagement for a picture to fill this panel was with 
 Henry Inman . The artist however died before the completion 
 of his work, and the picture was abandoned. 
 
 Landing of Columbus, October 12, 1492 : Vanderlyn. 
 Ordered 1842, cost $10,000. This painting represents Colum- 
 bus, accompanied by his principal officers and a few attend- 
 ants, already landed on the Island of Guanahani, one of the 
 Bahama Islands, and the first land discovered . The successful 
 discoverer is in the act of proclaiming possession in the name 
 of the king and queen of Spain. In the distance groups of 
 seamen are giving expression to their joy ; two figures near 
 are contending for glittering particles in the sand. The fleet 
 at anchor in the distance. A peculiarly tropical haze pervades 
 the atmosphere. 
 
 The following are the principal characters represented, 
 commencing on the observer's L : 
 
 i, Alonzo de Ojeda ; 2, cabin boy kneeling; 3, Rodrigo Sanchez, inspector; 4 r 
 Vincent Yanez, standard bearer; 5, Martin Alonzo Pinzon, standard bearer j 6, 
 mutineer repentant; 7, Rodrigo de Escobedo, notary ; 8, Columbus; 9, soldier look- 
 ing at the natives; 10, sailor's veneration of Columbus; ir, friar bearing the cross. 
 
 Embarkation of the Pilgrims from Delft-Haven, in 
 Holland, July 21, 1620, O. S. : Weir. Ordered 1836, cost 
 $10,000. Represents the Puritan fathers about to brave the 
 
76 
 
 ROTUNDA. 
 
 clangers of the stormy Atlantic for an asylum in the wilds of 
 America, where they might enjoy the blessings of civil and 
 religious liberty. 
 
 The following portraits are introduced, commencing on the 
 observer's 1. : 
 
 I, boy of Mrs. Winslow; 2, Mr. and Mrs, Winslow; 3, Mr. and Mrs. White; 
 4, boy of Mrs. Winslow; 5, Mrs. Brewster and child; 6, Elder William Brewster; 
 7, Mr. and Mrs. Fuller; 8, William Bradford; 9, Gov. Carver; 10, nurse and 
 child; ii, Mrs. Carver and child; 12, William Robinson, pastor of the congrega- 
 tion;' 13, Mrs. Bradford; 14, Captain Reynolds; 15, boy of Gov. Carver; 16, 
 Miles Standish and wife Rose. 
 
 The domical ceiling, viewed from the pavement of the 
 Rotunda consists of an inner shell, over which is the mas- 
 sive iron covering of the Dome. The canopy stands at a 
 height of 180 ft. above the pavement, and measures 65J ft. 
 in dameter, and 21 ft. perpendicular height. The canopy is 
 ornamented with a variety of figures in fresco, combining 
 allegory and history, executed by C. Brumidi. The central 
 group, which occupies the apex of the ceiling, represents a 
 deification of Washington, the Father of American Liberty. 
 On his r. is Freedom, and on his 1. Victory. In the foreground 
 are 13 female figures, representing the original States of 
 the American Union. These figures form a crown and sup- 
 port a band, upon which are the appropriate words E Pluri- 
 bus Unnm. The figures begin with New Hampshire, on the 
 1. of Victory, and follow in semi-circular procession, accord- 
 ing to their geographical order. The drapery, decoration, 
 and coloring are designed to indicate the products and situa- 
 tion of the States represented. Around the base of the can- 
 opy, which measures about 204 ft., are 6 emblematic groups, 
 designed as an allegory of the Revolution, 1776-'83. These 
 groups begin at the W. 
 
 i. The Fall of Tyranny. — Represented by Freedom and an Eagle battling 
 with Tyranny and Priestcraft; a mailed soldier vainly struggling to uphold the 
 ermined robe of royalty. Discord stands by ; also Anger and Revenge, with the 
 incendiary torch. 
 
 z. Agriculture, towards the N. — Represented by Ceres, with cornucopia. 
 America, wearing a red Cap of Liberty, turning over to Ceres the mastery of a pair 
 of horses attached to a reaper. Flora is gathering flowers, and Pomona bears a basket 
 of fruit. 
 
 3. Mechanics. — Represented by Vulcan, resting his r. foot on a cannon, and 
 around are the various instruments of his art, with mortars and cannon balls. 
 
 In the E. is— 
 
 4. Commerce. — Represented by Mercury, holding a bag of gold, and directing 
 attention to it. The figure thus called is Robert Morris, the financier of the Revo- 
 lution. Merchandise, with men at work, and two sailors, pointing to a gunboat, 
 complete the allegory. 
 
 5. Marine. — Representing Neptune in his car, bearing his trident, accompanied 
 by attendants, emerging from the deep. Amphrodite, Venus, is about dropping 
 into the foaming waters an electric cable, which has been handed her by a cherub. 
 
 6. Arts and Sciences.— Represented by Minerva, the Goddess of Wisdom, 
 
ASCENT OF THE DOME. 
 
 77 
 
 surrounded by figures— Frai:klin, the philosopher; Fulton, the inventor of the 
 steamboat ; and Morse, the inventor of* the magnetic telegraph. The figures of 
 juveniles indicate teaching. 
 
 These frescoes cover nearly 5,000 sq. ft. They may be 
 viewed from different points in the ascent of the Dome. As 
 they are approached they increase in size. Seen from the 
 balustrade beneath the canopy, they are of colossal propor- 
 tions. Sufficient light by day is thrown in from the openings 
 in the outer shell of the Dome. At night hundreds of gas 
 jets, lighted by electricity, illuminate not only the canopy, 
 but the entire interior of the Dome. 
 
 These frescoes were ordered in 1864, and cost $50,000, of 
 which $39,000 was paid for compensation of the artist and as- 
 sistants, and the balance for materials. 
 
 Ascent of the Dome. — The stairway inside the lirst door on 
 the 1., after leaving the rotunda on the N., leads to the top 
 of the dome. At the head of the first flight of steps on the 
 r. is the entrance to the battery and electric gas-lighting ap- 
 paratus, to which a visit should be made. Returning and 
 continuing the ascent, an opportunity is aflorded of studying 
 the mechanism of the immense structure overhead. A small 
 door at the top of an intricate flight of steps opens between 
 the inner and outer shells. On the inside is a range of arches, 
 affording a view of the rotunda and canopy. A short distance 
 above a doorway opens under an imposing peristyle of 36 iron 
 columns. The next door opens upon a balustrade above. The 
 last ascent is by an abrupt flight of steps over the inner shell, 
 which leads to the platform immediately beneath the canopy. 
 This point affords a closer view of Brumidi's allegory, a de- 
 scription of which will be found elsewhere. This platform 
 makes a fine whispering gallery. Another flight of steps 
 leads to the crowning platform, from which the most exten- 
 sive view of the city may be had. 
 
 Panoramic View of the City. — With the assistance of the 
 maps of the city and District, the stranger will be able to ac- 
 quaint himself with the most prominent features in the view. 
 Looking towards the E., on the 1. is the Asylum for the Deaf 
 and Dumb, and on the r., bej^ond the Anacostia, the Asylum 
 for the Insane. On the S. may be suen the Anacostia uniting 
 with the broad current of the Potomac. On the point are the 
 buildings of the Arsenal, and 7 m. below, on the opposite shore, 
 Alexandria. Opposite Georgetown is Arlington House, with 
 Fort Whipple on the r. In the W. is the official quarter of 
 the city. The building on the hill, at the head of New Jersey 
 av., is the Howard University ; and the white tower in the dis- 
 
rH C<i CO rj? O <D 
 
LIBRARY OF THE UNITED STATES. 
 
 79 
 
 tance, on the line of E. Capitol St., is the Soldiers' Home. 
 The railroad which leaves the city on the 1ST. is the Baltimore 
 and Ohio — the r, branch for Baltimore, and the 1. for Point of 
 Rocks and the W. The road S. of the Capitol is the Balti- 
 more and Potomac, also for the N. and W., running in con- 
 nection with the Pennsylvania Central. The Tiber Creek 
 follows the basin of the valley on the JT. 
 
 Library of the United States.— (Open every day, Sundays 
 excepted, from 9 a. m. to 4 p. m. ; during the sessions of Con- 
 gress till hour of adjournment.) The Library of the United 
 States may be reached from the Rotunda by the W. door, 
 along the corridor on either side of the balustrade around the 
 head of the staircase leading up from the main W. entrance. 
 The principal door of the Library is immediately opposite the 
 W. door of the Rotunda. 
 
 The Library Halls occupy the principal floor of the entire 
 W. projection of the Capitol, consisting of a connecting cen- 
 tral hall, 91J ft. long, 34 ft. wide, and 38 ft. high, completed 
 in 1853, with two wings on the 1ST. and S., each 95 ft. long, 29J 
 ft. wide, and 38 ft. high, finished in 1865. The interior was 
 designed by Mr. Walter, Architect of the Capitol, who com- 
 pleted the central library, and the wings were carried out by 
 Mr. Clark, his successor, at a total cost of $280,000. The cen- 
 tral library consists of 12 deep recesses, or alcoves, surmount- 
 ed by 2 upper tiers of cases, with galleries and corridors, all of 
 iron. The hall is lighted by windows in the alcoves and by 
 skylights fitted in tlie iron frame- work of the roof, and trans- 
 mitted through the ceiling. This consists of iron frame-work, 
 supported upon massive foliated iron brackets, each weigh- 
 ing 2,000 lbs. The alcoves and shelves are embellished with 
 pilastered and paneled fronts, painted a soft buff color and 
 artistically gilded. The book-shelves are also of iron, and 
 covered with leather. The floors are of tessellated black-and- 
 white marble. The wings are of the same design as the cen- 
 tral hall. The former have 4 tiers of shelves instead of 3. Heat 
 and ventilation are supplied from the Senate and House ap- 
 paratus, 200 ft. distant, on either side. The iron-work was 
 manufactured in New York, and transported in pieces. It 
 is the only completely fire-proof library in the world. The 
 library halls afford accommodation for 172,000 volumes, and 
 with the attic and law library 210,000. The additional space 
 required has been in part supplied by temporary wooden 
 shelves ranged along the galleries. 
 
 It is proposed to erect a suitable building in the angle of 
 the E. Park of the Capitol, to be specially devoted to the pur- 
 poses of the Library of the United States. A special corn- 
 
80 
 
 LIBRARY OF THE UNITED STATES. 
 
 mission, created by act of Mar. 3, 1S73, now have this subject 
 under consideration. 
 
 Speaking of the necessities of the Library, Mr. Spofford, Li- 
 brarian, says : " Whatever may be the present rate of growth 
 of American libraries, it cannot be doubted that their prospec- 
 tive increase, with the growing development and intellectual 
 enterprise of the country, will be in an accelerated ratio as 
 compared with the past. The Library has twice doubled with- 
 in twelve years. In 18G0 there were 63,000 volumes in the 
 Library, in 1866 there were 100,000, and in 1872 there were 
 246,000. Without calculating upon specially large accessions, 
 it is reasonable to assume that, by the ordinary additions to 
 its stores from copyrights and from all other sources, it will 
 reach 700,000 volumeslby the year 1900, 1,250,000 by the year 
 1925, 1,750,000 by 1950, and 2,500,000 by 1975, or about a cen- 
 tury hence/' 
 
 In 1874 the Library numbered 260,000 volumes and 50,000 
 pamphlets. Of this aggregate 30,000 volumes belonged to 
 the law library. The average annual accessions are 10,000 
 books and 5,000 pamphlets. The sources of supply in the or- 
 der of numbers are as follows : purchase, copyright, (excluding 
 duplicates,) deposit of the Smithsonian Institution, presenta- 
 tion, and exchange. The whole number of copvrights entered 
 in 1873 was 15,352. 
 
 The largest library in the world is the Bibliotlieque Nation- 
 ale, Paris, having about 1,400,000 volumes. The second is the 
 British Museum Library, London, with 900,000 volumes. The 
 Royal Library, at Munich, claims to have 800,000 volumes. It 
 may be generally stated that there are sixteen libraries in Eu- 
 rope larger than the Library of the United States. The lat- 
 ter, numbering 260,000 volumes, is the largest in America. 
 The second is the Boston Public Library, which has about 
 200,000. 
 
 This national collection of books has many distinctive fea- 
 tures. It is richer than any other — perhaps than all others 
 combined — in books, pamphlets, journals, manuscripts, and 
 maps relating to the history and topography of America. It 
 is only approximated in this particular by the library in the 
 British Museum in London. It is also well stocked with the 
 printed literature, in various languages, relating to South, 
 Central, and British America, and the Islands of the West 
 Indies. Its collection of pamphlets illustrating the progress 
 and political history of the country is unrivaled. 
 
 The next great feature is the completeness of its law r de- 
 partment, including, as it does, complete sets, nearly all in 
 duplicate, of English and American reports, the statute law 
 of ail countries, and the best editions of most published text- 
 
LIBRARY OF THE UNITED STATES. 
 
 81 
 
 books in the common and civil lavv. Every department of 
 jurisprudence is represented, and the collection is kept up to 
 date by purchase and the importation of the freshest works in 
 every lield. The general library is very complete in its peri- 
 odical collections. Full sets of all the British and American 
 reviews and magazines are kept up, and bound files of the 
 leading newspapers of the country are here stored for refer- 
 ence. One of the most valuable files of newspapers is a full 
 set of the London Gazette, from its first issue in 1665 down 
 to date. Only one other complete set exists. This contin- 
 ues the official organ of the British Government. Besides the 
 valuable collection of colonial and revolutionary newspapers, 
 the Library is in possession of a complete file of the New York 
 Evening Post, from its first issue in 1801 to the present year ; 
 the Charleston Courier, from its first issue in 1802 down to 
 its demise in 1873 ; and the Savannah Eepublican for the same 
 period. Also files of other metropolitan and provincial news- 
 papers. No department of literature, art, or science is neg- 
 lected. There is a good library of works on chess, angling, 
 cooking, and all miscellaneous topics, while in the exact 
 and applied sciences the wealth of the collection is inesti- 
 mable. 
 
 The Library of the United States became the repository of 
 the entire Smithsonian library after the fire in 1866, which 
 destroyed so large a portion of that building. This part of 
 the collection embraces the largest assemblage of the trans- 
 actions of scientific and learned societies to be found in the 
 world. Among the rare works are two great folios, written 
 on vellum, with numerous illuminations by hand, executed 
 with the utmost care in the 13th century. The oldest printed 
 book in the library is a Constitution of Pope Clement V, of 
 Rome, printed in 1467, by Peter Schoeffer, at Mentz. 
 
 Among the most rare works of the Force collection are a 
 copy of Eliot's Indian Bible ; 41 different works by Increase 
 and Cotton Mather, printed in Boston and Cambridge, 1671- 
 1735 ; files of early American newspapers, from 1735-1800 ; 
 300 early atlases and maps, some unpublished, covering the 
 country from Canada to the Gulf of Mexico ; a large number 
 of incunabula or books printed during the infancy of the art, 
 embracing a complete series of imprints by the most distin- 
 guished early printers, representing every year from 1467 to 
 1500, and a large number printed in the following century; 
 also 48 folio volumes of historical autographs of great rarity 
 and interest, embracing a collection of revolutionary letters, 
 chiefly military and political, covering the whole period, 
 from 1765 to 1787. The numerical extent of this collection is 
 22,520 volumes, or, including pamphlets, 60,000 titles. 
 6 
 
82 
 
 LIBRARY OF THE UNITED STATES. 
 
 The Library is also rich in illustrated works in fine arts, 
 architecture, and natural history. 
 
 Under the Rules of the Library, the privilege of taking 
 books out is accorded by divers statutes to the following per- 
 sons : The President of the United States, Vice President of 
 the United States, members of the Senate, members of the 
 House of Representatives, members of the Cabinet, judges of 
 the Supreme Court, judges and solicitors of the Court of 
 Claims, representatives of foreign governments residing at 
 Washington, Secretary of the Senate, Clerk of the House of 
 Representatives, Solicitor of the Treasury, Financial Agent 
 of the Library Committee, ex-Presidents of the United States, 
 Chaplains of the two Houses of Congress, the Secretary of the 
 Smithsonian Institution. All persons 10 years of age and up- 
 wards are permitted to call for books to be used in the li- 
 brary hall, and may obtain the same by filling one of the 
 blank forms of tickets found on the tables and handing it to 
 the assistant at the Librarian's desk. Books taken out by 
 persons authorized thereto must be returned in two weeks. 
 No maps, manuscripts, or printed books of especial rarity are 
 permitted to be taken out of the Library. 
 
 In addition to the Library of the United States, each 
 House of Congress has a documentary collection of its own, 
 comprising all official documents published under their au- 
 thority. 
 
 THE CAPITOL/-— WEST FRONT. 
 
 A fine view of the business and official quarters of the city 
 
LIBRARY OF THE UNITED STATES. 
 
 83 
 
 may be had from the W. Portico, reached through the door 
 in the centre of the W. side of the main hall. Immediately 
 below are the terraces which form the W. face of the emi- 
 nence upon which the Capitol stands. Pennsylvania av. 
 diverges from the r., and Maryland av. from the 1. Towards 
 the W., between these, lie the Botanical Garden, with its 
 conservatories, and the Mall, from which rise the towers of 
 the Smithsonian Institution, the square outlines of the De- 
 partment of Agriculture, and the unfinished Obelisk to the 
 memory of Washington, all surrounded by beautiful gardens, 
 and the Long Bridge. On the summit of the hill still farther 
 W. are the two domes of the Observatory, and still beyond 
 the Heights of Georgetown. To the S., at the point where 
 the two rivers join, lies the Arsenal. Following the broad 
 bosom of the Potomac, at a distance of 7 m. the shipping and 
 buildings of Alexandria are visible, and upon the river sail- 
 ing and steam-craft. On the heights overlooking the oppo- 
 site bank of the river is Arlington, famous as the former 
 residence of the Confederate Gen. Lee, and now the resting 
 place of thousands of soldiers of the national army. A little 
 to the r. and rear stands Fort Whipple. Looking towards 
 the N., on the distant hills may be seen the tower of the 
 Soldiers' Home, and nearer the Howard University. A fine 
 view may also be had of Pennsylvania av., with the Treasury 
 Department, President's House, and the new State, War, 
 and Navy Department, visible at the other end. At various 
 points may be seen the other public buildings, school-houses, 
 and churches, blending with the mass of the city. 
 
 Librarians of the United States. — Clerks of the House of 
 Representatives : 1802-1807, John Beckley, of Ya. ; 1807- 
 1815, Patrick Magruder, of Md. Librarians : 1815-1829, 
 George Watterson, D. C. ; 1829-1861, John S. Meehan, N. 
 Y. ; 1861-1864, John G. Stephenson, Ind. ; 1864, Ainsworth 
 R. Spofford, Ohio. 
 
 History. — The act of April 24, 1800, providing for the re- 
 moval and accommodation of the Government of the United 
 States, authorized the expenditure of $5,000 for the purchase 
 of such books as might be necessary for the use of Congress 
 at Washington, and for fitting up a suitable apartment in 
 the Capitol for their safe-keeping. A small number of books 
 was purchased and forwarded to the Seat of Government. 
 The chief promoter of the interests of the Library from the 
 beginning was Thomas Jefferson. On Dec. 18, 1801, Uriah 
 Tracy, of Connecticut, and three days later John Randolph, 
 of Roanoke, respectively of the Senate and House of Repre- 
 sentatives, and of the new committee appointed on the Li- 
 brary, made an important report to their respective Houses 
 
84 
 
 LIBRARY OF THE UNITED STATES. 
 
 on the subject of the needs of the Library of Congress. The 
 effect was beneficial. A few weeks later, Jan. 26, 1802, the 
 act "concerning the Library for the use of both Houses of 
 Congress" was passed. Under the provisions of this act 
 all the books or libraries previously kept separately by each 
 House were placed in the Capitol, in the room in the N. wing 
 occupied by the House of Eepresentatives during the last ses- 
 sion of the Sixth Congress. The House, from 1801 to 1805, 
 occupied the temporary structure outside, known as the 
 " Oven," south of the building. The unexpended balance of 
 the first appropriation of $5,000, together with such sums as 
 might be thereafter appropriated, were to be expended under 
 the direction of the joint committee. The early appropria- 
 tions were very small, as low as $450. The first collection 
 of books under the new act was made in 1802, under the 
 direction of Albert Gallatin, of Penn., Dr. Samuel Latham 
 Mitchill, of ST. Y., and others, and comprised about 3,000 
 volumes. 
 
 In 1806, on the report of Dr. Mitchill, Congress appropri- 
 ated $1,000 for the purchase of books. Since' that time that 
 amount has been increased from time to time, as the neces- 
 sities of the Library became apparent to the slow appreciation 
 of Congress. The present average annual appropriation is 
 $12,000. 
 
 During the brief occupation of the city by the British, in 
 
 1814, the Library was destroyed, with the rest of the interior 
 of the Capitol. To repair this loss, Thomas Jefferson, in a 
 letter dated at Monticello, Sept. 21, 1814, addressed to Samuel 
 H. Smith, tendered the sale of his library of 6,700 volumes 
 to Congress. The Senate accepted the offer at once. In 
 the House, however, there was considerable debate, but the 
 offer was there also accepted. The collection contained 
 many rare works, gathered by Mr. Jefferson in Europe. 
 The price paid by Congress was $23,950. 
 
 It was objected to Jefferson's collection, that some of the 
 volumes were of an infidel character, and by others that it 
 contained too many Bibles. His books may be distinguished 
 by a private mark. Wherever the printer's signature occurs 
 at the bottom of the page as a J, he lias made a T before it, 
 and when T occurs, a J after it. This makes the initials of 
 his name. 
 
 The new Library was deposited in the Post-office building, 
 an old structure commenced by Samuel Blodgett, in 1793, as 
 a hotel, and situated on the S. side of the present Post Office 
 square. Congress also held one session here, but in Dec, 
 
 1815, met in the building on Capitol Hill, erected for its 
 temporary accommodation by the citizens of Washington. 
 
LIBRARY OF THE UNITED STATES. 
 
 85 
 
 The Library, however, was not removed till after the resto- 
 ration of the N. wing was completed. It was then trans- 
 ferred temporarily to apartments on the W. side of the build- 
 ing, over the present offices of the Clerk of the Supreme 
 Court. 
 
 In 1824 the Library was removed to the hall in the centre 
 of the W. front of the Capitol, specially designed and fitted 
 up for its accommodation. The same hall, reconstructed of 
 fire-proof materials, now constitutes the central library of 
 the superb suit of apartments devoted to the uses of the 
 Library of the United States. 
 
 In 1824 all duties upon books, maps, and charts imported 
 for the Library were remitted by act of Congress. 
 
 In 1846 a copy of all books, maps, charts, &c, copyrighted 
 in the United States, was required to be sent to the Library 
 of Congress. This was generally disregarded, and was re- 
 pealed in 1859, and re-enacted in 1865. In 1867 a penalty 
 was placed upon an}^ violation of this law. 
 
 In 1851 the Library numbered 55,000 volumes. On Christ- 
 mas Eve of that year the Library took fire in one of the 
 alcoves, from timbers carelessly exposed to the flues. The 
 progress of the flames was rapid. In a short time 35,000 
 volumes were destroyed. 
 
 The destruction of a few works of art in the hall was irrep- 
 arable. Of these the following are mentioned : Stuart's paint- 
 ings of the first five Presidents of the United States; two 
 portraits of Columbus, one said to have been an original ; an 
 original of Peyton Kandolph, President of the first Conti- 
 nental Congress, and others of Boliver, Baron Steuben by 
 Pyne, Baron De Kalb, Cortez, Judge Hansom, of Maryland ; 
 about 1,200 bronze medals of the Vattemare Exchange, some 
 over two centuries old ; a likeness of Washington in bronze ; 
 and busts of General Taylor by an Italian, and La Fayette 
 by David. The fire, however, was confined to the central 
 library. 
 
 Congress, within the year ensuing, appropriated $157,500 
 for the restoration of the library hall and the purchase of 
 books. In the meantime one of the document rooms and ad- 
 joining passages was occupied. 
 
 In 1866 the custody of the valuable library of the Smith- 
 sonian Institution, consisting of 40,000 volumes, was transfer- 
 red to the Library. 
 
 In 1867, at a cost of $100,000, Congress purchased the Peter 
 Force collection of books, manuscripts, maps, and papers re- 
 lating to American history, the most complete private collec- 
 tion extant. Mr. Force was born in New Jersey in 1790, and 
 died in Washington, D. C, in 1868. 
 
86 
 
 LIBRARY OF THE UNITED STATES. 
 
 The act of Congress to revise, consolidate, and amend the 
 statutes relating to patents and copyrights, approved July 8, 
 1870, abolished the earlier system of entering in the clerk's 
 office of the district courts, and established a general law, 
 providing that all records and other things relating to copy- 
 rights, and required by law to be preserved, should be under 
 the control of the Librarian of Congress, (the United States,) 
 and kept and preserved in that Library. In accordance with 
 this the Librarian has the immediate care and supervision of 
 all matters touching copyrights, under the general direction 
 of the Joint Committee of Congress on the Library. The 
 Librarian makes an annual report to Congress of the number 
 and description of copyright publications for which entries 
 have been made during the year. 
 
 Two copies of the best edition of each book copyrighted are 
 required to be sent to the Librarian, and one copy of each sub- 
 sequent edition. The term of copyright is twenty-eight years, 
 and, under certain regulations, may be extended for an ad- 
 ditional term of fourteen years. 
 
 The Law Branch of the Library of the United States occu- 
 pies an apartment on the E. side of the basement of the N". 
 wing of the main Capitol building, used from 1800 to 1860 by 
 the Supreme Court of the United States, and immediately 
 below the room at present occupied by that tribunal. The 
 law books of the Library for a time occupied a room S. of the 
 central library, and in 1848 were removed to an apartment on 
 the W. side of the basement, near the Supreme Court room. 
 In 1860, after the removal of the Supreme Court, the books 
 were deposited in the present place. 
 
 In February, 1816, an effort was made to establish a law 
 library at the Seat of Government for the use of the Supreme 
 Court of the United States. The measure failed for want of 
 action by the House of Kepresentatives. 
 
 In 1832 an act u to increase and improve the law depart- 
 ment of the Library of Congress of the United States " was 
 the first official recognition of this important subject. The 
 fine and newly assigned apartment was authorized to remain, 
 however, under the superintendence of the Librarian of Con- 
 gress. The Justices of the Supreme Court were to have free 
 access to the library, and to make rules and regulations for 
 its proper custody and management, but not in conflict with 
 the same for the government of the Library of Congress, nor 
 to exclude any officers or persons having access to that Library. 
 
 The sum of $5,000, and an annual sum of $1,000, for a pe- 
 riod of five years, was appropriated, to be expended in law 
 books, the purchases to be made by the Librarian of Con- 
 gress, under the direction of the Chief Justice of the United 
 
SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED STATES. 
 
 87 
 
 otates. These appropriations have since varied in amounts, 
 at present averaging $2,000 each year. At that time there 
 were about 2,000 law books in the Library of Congress, of 
 which 639 were of the Jefferson library. 
 
 Under a resolution of Congress, the law library of James 
 L. Petigru, of S. C, was purchased in 1867 for $5,000. 
 
 The law branch of the Library of the United States is now 
 the largest and most valuable law collection in the United 
 States. 
 
 North Wing, — Leaving the Kotunda by the X. door, the 
 passage leads into a small elliptical vestibule, in imitation of 
 a Greek temple, containing a peristyle, supported on an arched 
 substruction in the basement. The capitals of the pillars are 
 ornamented with the leaf and flower of the tobacco plant. A 
 dim light is admitted through the cupola. The door imme- 
 diately on the 1. entering this space leads to the electrician's 
 apartments and the top of the Dome. On the 1. of the nar- 
 row passage is the apparatus which operates the wires con- 
 necting the batteries and gas jets. Across this vestibule is a 
 second vestibule, which leads into the Supreme Court room 
 on the E. Opposite is a prostyle of Potomac marble. The 
 door on this side opens into the offices of the Marshal and 
 Clerk of the Supreme Court. 
 
 Supreme Court of the United States.— (Open to visitors every 
 day, except Sunday.) The apartment occupied by this tribu- 
 nal, formerly the Senate Chamber, is semi-circular, with a 
 rather flat dome, enriched with square caissons in stucco, and 
 circular apertures to admit light. The chamber is 75 ft . great- 
 est length or diameter, 45 ft. greatest width, and 45 ft. high. 
 On the E. side a screen of Grecian Ionic columns of breccia, 
 or variegated Potomac marble, with capitals of white Italian 
 marble, modeled after those of the Temple of Minerva, pol- 
 ished, extends along the back of the range of seats of the 
 Justices. These columns, with the entablature, support a 
 gallery. The seats of the Justices are raised several feet 
 above the floor, and are ranged behind a low screen, which 
 answers the purpose of desks. The Chief Justice occupies 
 the centre seat. The officers of the court have desks at either 
 end and at the foot of the Justices' platform. The floor is 
 beautifully carpeted, and tables and chairs are placed within 
 the bar for the accommodation of those having cases before 
 the court. Outside the rail are seats for visitors. Against 
 the W. wall are a number of consoles, supporting busts of the 
 departed Chief Justices: 
 
 John Jay, by Frazee, 1831, $400; John Rutledge, 1857, 
 
88 
 
 SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED STATES. 
 
 $800 ; Oliver Ellsworth, by Auger, 1834, $400 ; John Mar- 
 shall, 183G, $500. 
 
 The times for holding the sessions of the Supreme Court 
 have been subjected to frequent changes by statute since 1789. 
 Under the act of January, 1873, the annual session com- 
 mences on the second Monday of October in each year. The 
 adjournment usually takes place in May following. Daily 
 sessions from 12 noon to 4 p. m. The Justices, wearing their 
 judicial robes, enter from the N. door of the chamber, and 
 are formally announced by the Marshal or deputy. ' The peo- 
 ple in the room rise and remain standing till the Justices are 
 seated. The opening of the court is then proclaimed by a 
 proper officer. 
 
 When the court-room was occupied by the Senate the 
 President's chair stood in a niche in the screen of columns, 
 and was raised on a platform. In front and lower were the 
 desks of the Secretary and Chief Clerk. The entablature of 
 the screen supported a gallery, in front of which was another, 
 following the circle of the room, and supported by iron col- 
 umns, with bronzed caps, surmounted by a gilt iron balus- 
 trade. Against the wall over the E. gallery was a fine 
 painting of Washington, by Charles Wilson Peale, richly 
 framed and draped. The chamber was chiefly lighted from 
 the E., and the President's chair, standing on the line of 
 the diameter of the circle, formed the centre of the radiat- 
 ing aisles, between which, in concentric curves, were ar- 
 ranged the Senator's desks. There were accommodations 
 for 64 Senators. In the rear a railing enclosed the bar of 
 the Senate. Outside were sofas for privileged visitors. The 
 offices of the Senate occupied the rooms in the immediate 
 vicinity of the chamber. 
 
 Originally there was an upper gallery on the E. side, sup- 
 ported by an attic colonnade, but this was removed in 1828 
 to admit more light. It was then that the semi-circular gal- 
 lery was introduced. The approaches to the chamber and 
 galleries were exceedingly dark and gloomy. At night a 
 gas chandelier diffused light. On the W. side of the building, 
 across the main vestibule, were the offices of the Secretary : 
 of the Senate, now occupied by the officers of the court. The 
 two rooms on the If . side were assigned to the President and 
 Vice President — now the robing rooms. 
 
 Latrobe, the architect, proposed to have one of the galle- 
 ries supported upon emblematical figures, representing the 
 thirteen original States. The models, by Franzoni, were 
 completed in Italy and brought over, but no further use was 
 made of them, Congress failing to appropriate the funds 
 necessary to the execution of the design. 
 
THE UNITED STATES COURT OF CLAIMS. 
 
 89 
 
 In the plan of the city, the reservation between D and G 
 sts. N*. and 4th and 5th sts. W. was set apart for the erection 
 of a building for the uses of the judicial branch of the Govern- 
 ment. ^Nothing, however, was done. In Feb., 1801, the 
 Supreme Court of the United States was assigned to and 
 assembled in the basement on the E. side, immediately be- 
 neath the present room, and now the Law Library. The 
 court was assigned to its present accommodations in Dec, 
 1860, upon the' occupation of the new chamber provided for 
 the Senate. It is proposed to erect a building for the inde- 
 pendent use of the judiciary, to include the Supreme and 
 other courts of the United States in the District of Colum- 
 bia. The site under consideration is the square recently 
 added to the E. Park of the Capitol Grounds on the S., to 
 correspond with the proposed building for the occupation of 
 the Library of the United States in the same square on the ~N. 
 These two buildings completed, standing respectively SE. 
 and NE., and clear of the E. facade of the Capitol, would 
 add greatly to the magnificence of the main central structure. 
 
 Chief Justices. — 1789, John Jay, N. Y. ; 1795, John Rut- 
 ledge, S. C, rejected; 1796, William Cashing, Mass., de- 
 clined; 1796, Oliver Ellsworth, Conn.; 1800, John Jay, N. 
 Y. ; 1801, John Marshall, Va. ; 1836, Roger B. Taney, Md. ; 
 1864, Salmon P. Chase, Ohio; 1874, Morrison K.Waite, Ohio. 
 
 Associate Justices, 1874. — Nathan Clifford, Me., 1858; 
 Noah H. Swayne, Ohio, 1862 ; Samuel F. Miller, Io., 1862 ; 
 David Davis, 111., 1862 ; Stephen Field, Cal., 1863 ; William 
 Strong, Penn., 1870; Joseph P. Bradley, N. J., 1870; Ward 
 Hunt, N. Y., 1873. 
 
 The judicial power of the United States, by the third ar- 
 ticle of the Constitution, is vested in one supreme court 
 and in such inferior courts as Congress may from time to 
 time ordain and establish. The judges of both the supreme 
 and inferior courts hold their offices during good behavior, 
 and receive for their services compensation which cannot 
 be diminished during their continuance in office. The Chief 
 Justice and Associates of the Supreme Court of the United 
 States are appointed by the President, by and with the ad- 
 vice of the Senate. The Constitution defines the judicial 
 power of the court, which is confined to civil cases national 
 in their character : for instance, between citizens of different 
 States, or in which aliens or representatives of foreign gov- 
 ernments are interested, questions under treaties, and appel- 
 late and revisory jurisdiction in certain cases. 
 
 The United States Court of Claims occupies a suit of rooms 
 in the basement of the W. projection of the central building, 
 
90 
 
 SENATE EXTENSION. 
 
 reached by the 1. corridor after entering the main W. door of 
 the Capitol. The court consists of a Chief Justice and four 
 Associates. Its business is the verification of claims against 
 the U. S. and brought before Congress for adjustment. Chief 
 Justice, Charles D. Drake, Mo., 1870. 
 
 North or Senate Extension. — In order to preserve the con- 
 tinuity of description, after leaving the Supreme Court room, 
 in the 1ST. Wing, the visitor to the Capitol should proceed di- 
 rectly to the Bronze Door of the E. vestibule of the IS". Exten- 
 sion, which may be reached by pursuing the main N*. and S. 
 corridor, and at its terminus turning to the r. and then to the 
 L, the last corridor ending in the vestibule. Just after leaving 
 the vestibule of the Supreme Court the division between the 
 original Capitol and the Extension will be observed, the first 
 part reached being the connecting corridor. 
 
 The Senate Bronze Door, by Crawford, consists of a simple 
 
 post and lintel. The frame over 
 the door is supported by enrich - 
 ed brackets. The ornamenta- 
 tion consists of scroll-work and 
 acanthus, with the cotton-boll, 
 maize, grapes, and entwining 
 vines. The upper panel of each 
 valve contains a star, surround- 
 ed by a wreath of oak leaves, and 
 acts as a ventilator. In the foot 
 panel of each leaf are figures, 
 typical of Peace and War. The 
 door is 14£ ft. high and 9J ft. 
 wide, with two leaves, weighs 
 14,000 lbs., and was cast by 
 James T. Ames, at Chicopee, 
 Mass. The total cost was $6,- 
 000 for model and $50,495 for 
 casting. It was put up in 1868. 
 The remainder of the door 
 is divided into 6 panels, in 
 which, in alto relievo, are rep- 
 resented events connected with 
 senate bronze door, the revolutionary struggle, the 
 
 establishment of the Government, and the foundation of the 
 Capitol. The panels containing historical subjects, in chro- 
 nological succession, begin at the top of the left valve of the 
 door^ as follows : 
 
 I. Battle of Bunker Hill and Death of Warren, June, 1775. 
 
SENATE EXTENSION. 
 
 91 
 
 II. Battle of Monmouth, June, 1778, and Rebuke of General Lee, who meditated 
 betraying the American Army. 
 
 III. Battle of Yorktown, October, 1781. Hamilton's Capture of the Redoubt. 
 
 IV. Welcome of Washington at Trenton, April, 1789, on his way to New York 
 to assume the office of President of the United States. This panel contains por- 
 traits of the sculptor, his wife, and three children, and of Rogers, the sculptor of 
 the Main Door. 
 
 V. Inauguration of Washington, First President of the United States, in New 
 York, April 30, 1789. The principal figures in this panel are portraits, including 
 John Adams, Vice President, on his right; Chancellor Livingstone administers the 
 oath; Mr. Otis, Secretary of the Senate, presented the Bible. The other distinguished 
 personages represented are Alexander Hamilton, Generals Knox and St. Clair, Roger 
 Sherman, and Baron Steuben. 
 
 VI. Laying of the Corner-stone of the Capitol of the United States at Washing- 
 ton, September 18, 1793. The prominent figures are likenesses. 
 
 The order to Mr. Crawford contemplated two doors, one for 
 the E. Portico of each wing. The sculptor had proceeded no 
 further than to complete the drawing of his designs and the 
 w r ork of his models in clay, when he was overtaken by death. 
 The work, however, was completed by W. H. Rhinehart, of 
 Maryland, an assistant in the studio of the sculptor at Rome. 
 The fortunate exaction of a guaranty from the European 
 founder, who seemed to doubt the ability of the nation to 
 maintain its credit and to cope with the Rebellion, then 
 going on, led to the shipment of the models to the United 
 States in 1863. They were somewhat damaged in removal, 
 but were restored by Silas Mosman, of Massachusetts, under 
 whose superintendence they were cast. The mechanical ex- 
 ecution of this work is considered in every respect equal to the 
 great Door, and establishes the skill of American workmen 
 in competition with those of Europe. 
 
 Above the door, resting on a cap supported by massive 
 brackets, are two reclining female figures, in American mar- 
 ble, by Crawford, representing Justice and History. Both 
 recline against a globe, the former supporting a volume bear- 
 ing the words u Justice, Law, and Order," and has a pair of 
 scales lying by her side. The latter holds a scroll, inscribed 
 " History, July, 1776." On either side of the door, in the 
 beautiful marble wall, is a niche, ready to receive appropriate 
 statues. 
 
 From this portico the bronze door enters a vestibule, consist- 
 ing of a colonnade of 16 fluted marble columns, with capitals 
 of acanthus and tobacco leaves. The columns are disposed in 
 couples, and equally divided on either side with corresponding- 
 pilasters. The ceiling is composed of massive blocks of highly- 
 polished marble, ranged so as to form panels, three of which 
 are provided with stained glass for the admission of light. 
 The walls are scagliola imitation of Sienna marble, and are 
 broken at suitable intervals into niches, with bases of Ten- 
 nessee marble. The floor is tessellated in white and blue 
 
92 
 
 SENATE EXTENSION. 
 
 marble. The first door on the L, after entering, leads into 
 the Official Reporters' 1 Room. On the r. is the Senate Post 
 Office. At the W. end is a smaller vestibule, leading to the 
 floor of the Senate Chamber. The doors are of bird's-eye 
 maple, with bronze enrichments, and set in bronze frames. 
 The Senate Chamber will be described from the galleries. 
 The public are permitted on the floor of the Chamber when 
 the Senate is not in session. The regular hour of meeting 
 of the Senate during the session is 12 noon every day ex- 
 cept Sunday, and adjourns on its own motion : holiday and 
 night sessions are ordered by the Senate. During the ses- 
 sion the following persons only are by law entitled to the 
 privileges of the floor of the Senate : Officers of the Senate ; 
 Members of the House of Kepresentatives and their clerks; 
 PresMent of the U. S. and private secretary; heads of de- 
 partments; Ministers of the U. S. and Foreign Ministers; 
 ex-Presidents and ex-Vice Presidents of the U. S. ; ex-Sen- 
 ators and Senators elect ; Judges of the Supreme Court of 
 the U. S. ; Governors of States and Territories ; General of 
 the Army ; Admiral of the Navy ; Members of National 
 Legislatures of foreign countries ; private secretaries of Sen- 
 ators, appointed in writing ; and Librarian of Congress. 
 
 The W. door in the S. wall of the main vestibule leads to the 
 E. Staircase, ascending to the corridors and committee rooms 
 of the second floor and to the ladies' galleries and retiring 
 rooms. This magnificent staircase is made of highly-polished 
 Tennessee marble. The columns have bronze capitals. The 
 ascent from the main floor is by a broad flight of 16 steps, which 
 divide at the first landing, the rest of the ascent being by a 
 double flight of 18 steps. Overhead is a stained-glass skylight 
 set in an iron frame, surrounded by iron casing of trellis work,, 
 resting on a heavy cornice of marble. At the foot of the steps, 
 in a niche, stands the semi-heroic statue of Franklin, the phi- 
 losopher, in marble : by Hiram Powers. 1862, §10,000. 
 Against the E. wall, over the first landing, is the painting of 
 Perry's Victoiy over the British on Lake Erie : by Powell, of 
 Ohio. 1873, cost $25,000. The painting represents the Com- 
 modore transferring his flag from the Lawrence, which had 
 been disabled, to another ship. A new movement compelled 
 the enemy to surrender. The best view of this painting is 
 from the balustrade at the top of the staircase. A double 
 stairway, which unites at the first landing below, leads be- 
 neath the arched support and massive blocking of the upper 
 staircase to the basement. A beautiful stained-glass wind'owy 
 at the head of the second descent, admits light. At the foot 
 of these steps is the Senate Refectory. The best general view 
 
SENATE EXTENSION. 
 
 93 
 
 of the E. staircase may be had from the landing of the steps 
 leading to the basement. 
 
 The W. door in the 1ST. wall of the vestibule opens into the 
 Senate Reception Room, a brilliant salon about 60 ft. long', 
 with a vaulted ceiling divided into two arches, that on the if. 
 being groined, and is divided into four sections, in which are 
 allegorical figures in fresco: IS"., Liberty; S., Plenty; W., 
 War; E., Peace. The S. half of the ceiling consists of a cir- 
 cular arch, broken by deep caissons, arranged in concentric 
 circles. The fresco in the centre represents youthful figures 
 in a vignette of clouds. Outside the circle are allegorical fig- 
 ures in fresco : NTS.', Prudence; SE., Justice; SW., Temper- 
 ance; NW., Strength. All these frescoes were executed by 
 Brumidi, in 1856. The ceiling is heavily gilded throughout, 
 and from it is suspended a fine chandelier. The walls are 
 finished in tint, and enriched with stucco and gilt. They are 
 divided into five panels, with medallion centres for portraits 
 of illustrious citizens. Each medallion is surrounded by 
 wreaths, and is surmounted by an eagle. The base of the 
 walls is scagliola, in imitation of Potomac and Tennessee 
 marbles. Under the arch in the S. wall is a well-executed 
 centre-piece in oil, by Brumidi, representing Washington in 
 consultation with Jefferson, his Secretary of State, and Ham- 
 ilton, Secretary of the Treasury. On either side is a medal- 
 lion yet unfilled. In the N. wall of this magnificent apart- 
 ment, between the windows, is a mirror. The floor is of 
 encaustic tiles, finely laid, and with a beautifully-wrought 
 star as a centre-piece. The room is furnished in rosewood, 
 with damask and lace curtains. In winter the floor is richly 
 carpeted. 
 
 On the E. a door opens into the Senate Post Office, ele- 
 gantly fitted with cases and other conveniences for the recep- 
 tion and distribution of the Senate mails. This room was 
 originally intended for the Library of the Senate, and was 
 decorated with that view. The vaulted ceiling is embellished 
 with frescoes by Brumidi, the principal pieces representing 
 History, Geography, Physics, and the Telegraph. Three 
 allegorical figures support a tasteful centre-piece, from which 
 drops a chandelier. The walls are finished in oil and gilt. 
 Adjoining, on the N"., is the Room of the Sergeant-at-Arms of 
 the Senate, On the walls under the arches are four allegorical 
 designs in basso relievo : that on the E. representing Dissolu- 
 tion or Secession, illustrated in the breaking of the fasces or 
 bundle of rods, while on the one side lies cotton, and on the 
 other corn, the rival products of the opposing sections of the 
 country. On the S. is the same figure as War, with the en- 
 gines of strife. On the W. the bundle of rods are again 
 
94 
 
 SENATE EXTENSION. 
 
 united, with the motto E Pluribus Utmm and eagle. On the 
 X. the implements of war are being* destroyed and exchanged 
 for peace. The centre-piece of the ceiling represents Re- 
 construction. The W. door of the reception-room opens into 
 the vestibule of the Senate lobby. On the 1., descending 
 to the basement, is a private staircase., with a bronze railing, 
 formed of entwining vines and foliage, relieved with eagles, 
 deer, and cupids. A similar staircase occupies a correspond- 
 ing place on the W. side of the lobby. These, including two 
 connecting with the lobby of the Hall of the Representatives 
 in the S. Extension cost nearly $22,500. They are elaborate 
 and artistic specimens of bronze-work, and in a part of the 
 building too dark to enable their merits to be fully appre- 
 ciated. They were manufactured by Archer, Warner & 
 Miskey, of Philadelphia. 
 
 During the sessions of the Senate admission to the Senate 
 lobby can only be obtained through a Senator. This, how- 
 ever, is not in strict accordance with the rules of the body. 
 When the Senate is not in session the lobby is open to the 
 public. The lobby is a vaulted passage, with gilt panels and 
 cornice. A chandelier makes up the deficiency of daylight. 
 On the 1. are two doors, leading to the floor of the Senate 
 Chamber. The first door on the r. opens into the room as- 
 signed to the President of the Senate, generally known as 
 the Vice President's Room, It is a well-furnished apartment, 
 with plain stuccoed ceilings and tinted walls. In this room 
 is the original of Rembrandt PeaWs painting of Washington, 
 purchased by the Senate. Permission to enter may be ob- 
 tained from the President of the Senate. When not in use, 
 visitors may be admitted through the courtesy of the Ser- 
 geant-at-Arms or one of the doorkeepers. 
 
 The second door on the r. of the lobby leads through a small 
 passage or vestibule into the Marble or Senate Retiring Room. 
 This elegant apartment is3S ft. long, 21 J ft. wide, and 19 J ft. 
 high. The ceiling rests upon 4 Corinthian columns of Italian 
 marble, and consists of massive polished blocks of white mar- 
 ble, forming deep panels. The walls throughout are of highly- 
 polished Tennessee marble. In the panels of the walls are 
 large plate-glass mirrors. Those at the ends produce a striking 
 effect. In the E. and W. walls are niches. Two of these 
 contain heads of Indian chiefs, executed in marble. The floors 
 are of encaustic tiles. The room is handsomely furnished, 
 and, without question, is the finest apartment of the kind in 
 the world. There is a fine view of the N. portions of the city 
 from the windows. In front is X. Capitol st., and the diverg- 
 ent avs. are Delaware, inclining towards the E., and New 
 Jersey, towards the W. 
 
SENATE EXTENSION. 
 
 95 
 
 Leaving the room by the W. door, we again enter the Sen- 
 ate lobby. Passing out of this into the vestibule, on the 1. is 
 the W. private staircase to the basement, the same as the one 
 already described at the E. end of the lobby. On the r. is the 
 President's Room, assigned to the nse of the President of the 
 United States on his visits to the Capitol. This room is rarely 
 used except on the last daj^s of the session of Congress, when 
 the President, with his secretaries and Cabinet ministers, as- 
 semble there to expedite the business of legislation, the Pres- 
 ident signing such bills passed by the Senate and House of 
 Representatives as meet his approval. 
 
 The walls and ceiling of this room are richly and appropri- 
 ately decorated. On the S. wall, under the arch of the ceil- 
 ing, is a portrait of Washington — a copy from Rembrandt 
 Peale's — with a reclining female figure on either side : that on 
 the r. representing Victory, who holds a shield, bearing the 
 inscription, Boston, Trenton, Princeton, Monmouth, and 
 Yorktown. The figure on the 1. Peace, with a laurel wreath. 
 On the four walls are medallion portraits of Washington's 
 first Cabinet: S., Thomas Jefferson, Secretary of State; E. t 
 Henry Knox, Secretaiy of War, and Alexander Hamilton, 
 Secretary of the Treasury ; W., Edmund Randolph, Attorney 
 General, and S. Osgood, Postmaster General. Under the 
 cornice are a nunber of small copper-colored medallions, rep- 
 resenting the coats of arms of the States. The rest of the 
 walls are artistically decorated in arabesques. Overhead are 
 four corner-pieces in fresco : the first of Columbus, with a 
 globe and early instruments of navigation, representing Dis- 
 covery ; likeness from a portrait in Mexico. Diagonally oppo- 
 site, Americas Vespuccius, with charts and telescope, Explo- 
 ration, from a painting in Florence. William Brewster, with 
 an open Bible, representing Religion ; and diagonally opposite, 
 Benjamin Franklin, with manuscript and printing-press, or 
 History. Four medallion pieces between these represent 
 Religion, Liberty, Legislation, and Executive. The medal- 
 lion from which the chandelier is suspended is enriched with 
 three inf an t figures, supporting an American flag. The ceilings 
 are further embellished. The entire decoration is bj^Brumidi. 
 The room is the most richly decorated in the United States. 
 The floors are beautifully tiled. There are three large mir- 
 rors in the Avails. In winter the room is richly carpeted and 
 furnished. 
 
 At the end of the corridor continuing W. from the lobby is 
 a screw elevator, beautifully designed and luxuriously furnish- 
 ed, for the use of Senators. It runs from the basement to the 
 corridors of the second floor, and is fitted up with a double 
 engine : cost $10,000. Turning to the V., after leaving the 
 
96 
 
 SENATE EXTENSION. 
 
 W. vestibule of the corridor, the rooms on the r. are occupied 
 by the Secretary of the Senate and the various clerks of the 
 body. 
 
 On the same side is the W. Staircase, in white marble. 
 The design is the same as the E. one. already described, and 
 leads directly to the gentlemen's and reporters' galleries. 
 The view of this staircase, looking upwards from the first 
 landing of the steps leading to the basement, is supremely 
 beautiful. The highly-polished white-marble blockings, en- 
 tablatures, steps, balustrades, and columns, With their exquis- 
 itety-wrought capitals, of the same material, strike the eye 
 with the magnificence of its architectural design and execu- 
 tion. The light thrown in from above adds to the charm of 
 the scene which greets the vision. The sombre hue of the 
 Tennessee marble employed in the E. staircase, though pre- 
 senting a richer appearance, does not effectively bring out 
 the beauties of workmanship bestowed upon these striking 
 features of the interior fitting of the Capitol Extensions. 
 
 Opposite the foot of the staircase, in a niche, on the main 
 floor, is the statue of John Hancock, President of the Conti- 
 nental Congress which signed and promulgated the Declara- 
 tion of Independence, 1776. The statue is semi-heroic ; exe- 
 cuted in 1860, in marble, by Horatio Stone ; cost $5,500. 
 
 At the head of the first flight of steps against the W. wall 
 is the Storming of Chapultepec, by Walker, N. Y. Ordered 
 in 1861, cost $6,000. This painting was originally intended 
 ior the room of the Committee on Military Affairs. It rep- 
 resents the storming of the castle of Chapultepec, Sept. 13, 
 1847, by the American army, under Gen. Scott. The castle, 
 one of the defenses of the city of Mexico, crowned an emi- 
 nence 900 ft. high, and was taken by means of scaling-lad- 
 ders. The particular moment of the conflict is the consulta- 
 tion between Gen. Quitman and several of the officers of the 
 advance division. The batteries at the foot of the hill were 
 taken, and the approach to the city by the aqueduct lay open. 
 The hill-side is already occupied by the United States rifles. 
 Oen. Quitman, mounted, appears on the 1. of the painting. 
 - Gen. Shields is without his coat, and wounded. Near at hand 
 are Lieuts. Wilcox and Towers, of the engineers. On the h 
 stands a section of Drum's battery. In the rear, advancing 
 to the support of Casey's troops, are the Pennsylvania, New 
 York, and South Carolina volunteers, bearing their State 
 -colors, and commanded by Geary, Baxter, and Gladden. 
 Xicontenca, the Mexican commander, is killed. Gen. Per- 
 sifor F. Smith, with the rifles, confronts the enemy's breast- 
 works, and points to the retreating Mexicans, who are fleeing 
 by the aqueduct. The filling of the picture represents offi- 
 
THE GALLERIES. 
 
 97 
 
 cers hurrying to and fro, a few Mexican soldiers surrendering, 
 and wounded and slain strewn around. An aloe is charac- 
 teristic of the vegetation of the country. The artist was 
 pursuing his profession in Mexico when the war broke out, 
 but escaped to the American lines, and joined the army as an 
 interpreter, returning in 1848 to the United States. 
 
 The S. corridor corresponds with the lobby on the !N*. 
 side of the Chamber, and is intersected by the connecting 
 range between the Senate Extension and the main building. 
 In this corridor, opposite the S. entrance to the Senate Cham- 
 ber, stands an old clock, long in use by the body, but with 
 no special historic associations. The deep windows on the 
 N. side of the corridor, opening into the Senate cloak rooms, 
 are arranged for statuary. In the recess of the E. one of 
 this line stands a bust of Chief Justice R. B. Taney, of Md., 
 1836-1864, by Stone. With the exception of the E. vestibule, 
 which is marble, the floors throughout are paved with en- 
 caustic tile of elegant design. 
 
 The Galleries. — The second floor of the Senate Extension is 
 occupied by corridors, the inner sides of which are pierced 
 with 12 doors, leading into the Senate Galleries, and the 
 outer sides bounded on the E. and W. by committee rooms, 
 and the N*. by retiring rooms for ladies in the E. end, and 
 representatives of the press in the W. On the S. is the con- 
 necting range, occupied by the Senate doeument room. On 
 either side of this are windows, which look out upon the 
 main building. These corridors are reached by the E. and 
 W. staircases, already described. The walls are of a simple 
 tint, with variations of stucco. The ceilings are vaulted, 
 and are enlivened with stucco work of various designs, blended 
 with symbolic figures. Over the main E. vestibule is a spa- 
 cious hall, surmounted by a beautiful arch,. in the centre of 
 which is a skylight. Adjoining this, and over the Senate 
 reception room, in the NE. part of the Extension, is another 
 hail of similar design. Both lead into the ladies' galleries. 
 The second also opens into the ladies' retiring room — a hand- 
 somely-furnished apartment, fitted up with two Tennessee 
 marble mantels, with mirrors and every convenience. Like the 
 first floor, the second is paved with encaustic tiles throughout. 
 
 With this preliminary knowledge of the varied attractions 
 in art and architecture of the N. Extension of the Capitol, 
 before visiting the basement the visitor should step into the 
 gallery, and at his leisure study the wonders and beauties of 
 the Hall of the Senators. The accompanying diagram of 
 desks will enable him, during the session of the body, to 
 place any of the Senators. 
 
mills statue Of jackson. (See page 34) (98). 
 
SENATE CHAMBER. 
 
 99 
 
 Hall of the Senators, or Senate Chamber.— This magnificent 
 apartment occupies the centre of the principal floor of the IS*. 
 Extension. It has an entrance for Senators from corridors 
 on the E S., and W., and two from the lobby on the ST. The 
 occupation of this Chamber, devoted to the deliberations of 
 the highest branch of the legislative arm of the Government, 
 took place on Jan. 4, 1859. It is in the form of a parallelo- 
 gram of the following dimensions : Length, 113J ft. ; width, 
 80J ft. ; height, 36 ft. ; superficial area of floor, 9,136 sq. ft. ; 
 cubic contends, 328,536 cub. ft. The dimensions of the floor 
 of the Chamber, exclusive of the cloak rooms and lobby, are 
 83 ft. long and 51 ft. wide. On the E., W., and S. sides of 
 the Chamber are the cloak rooms of Senators, and on the 1ST. 
 the Senate lobb}^. Over these and around the Chamber are 
 the galleries, the seats rising and receding in tiers, till 
 brought to a level with the corridors of the second floor, 
 which are reached by two marble staircases. The portion 
 of the N". Gallery over the back of the chair of the President 
 of the Senate is devoted to reporters of the press, local and 
 general, being provided with about 40 desks, and seats for 
 as many more. Directly opposite the reporters, in the S. 
 Gallery, a number of seats are set apart for the diplomatic 
 representatives. The galleries, from the reporters' to the 
 diplomatic, on the S. side, are devoted exclusively to ladies, 
 and gentlemen accompanying them ; a portion for the exclu- j 
 sive use of the families of Senators. The corresponding 
 galleries on the W. are for gentlemen. The galleries wifi 
 seat 1,200 persons. In the rear of the S., E., and W. Gal- 
 leries are the communicating corridors. At the E. end of 
 the N. corridor is the ladies'* retiring room — a luxurious 
 apartment, complete in all its appointments, communicat- 
 ing with the ladies' galleries, and attended by a matron em- 
 ployed by the Senate. In the rear of the reporters' gallery 
 is the reporters' hat and retiring room and telegraph office. 
 This is reached through a door connecting with the W. cor- 
 ridor. These corridors form the second floor of the ISP. wing. 
 The entrances to the galleries, during the sessions of Con- 
 gress, are guarded by doorkeepers, whose duty it is to seat 
 the people and to preserve order. 
 
 On iM floor of the Chamber are seats for 74 Senators. The 
 aisles diverge from the President's " desk" like radii, from a 
 centre. The desks are arranged in concentric semi-circles 
 facing the N. The desks are made of the finest quality of 
 mahogany, and the majority were in use in the old Senate 
 Chamber. These were made a half century ago. 
 
 The President's desk occupies a raised platform or dais. 
 
100 
 
 BASEMENT. 
 
 At his back is a deep niche, and in front a broad desk, upon 
 which lies the gavel when the body is in session. Immedi- 
 ately below, on either side, are the seats of the Sergeant-at- 
 Arms r., and Doorkeeper 1. At the desk in front, com- 
 mencing on the 1., are the seats of the Secretary of the Senate, 
 Legislative Clerk, Chief Clerk, and Minute Clerk, in the order 
 given. The two seats on the floor in front and at either end 
 are for the official reporters. These desks are of mahogany, 
 in keeping with the rest of the furniture of the Hall. 
 
 The floor is raised about 3 in. for each receding semi-circle 
 of desks, and is pierced by numerous double ventilators, reg- 
 ulated with the feet, under each Senator's desk. These ven- 
 tilators are fed from an air-chamber or reservoir beneath the 
 floor, and supplied by fans and steam-coils in the basement 
 with moistened air tempered from 68° to 70° winter, and from 
 8° to 10° below the outside air in summer, and regulated by 
 thermometers and hygrometers in different parts of the 
 chamber ; these are examined at regular and brief intervals 
 by the chief of the ventilating department. The contam- 
 inated air passes through the trellis work of the outer range 
 of panels in the ceiling and through spaces provided in the 
 centre panels. A current of air from the ventilators below 
 to those above is constantly passing through the Chamber. 
 (See Ventilating Department,) 
 
 The ceiling is a splendid specimen of taste and skill. It 
 consists of immense cast-iron girders and transverse pieces, 
 forming deep panels, 21 of which are glazed, each with a 
 centre-piece symbolic of the Union, the Army, and Navy, 
 Progress, and the Mechanical Arts. In addition to these, 
 there is an outer row of 24 panels, with trellised centre for 
 ventilation, and outside of all a row of deep caissons and 
 circles, with a star in each. The entire frame rests on a 
 heavy iron cornice. The iron work throughout is bronzed, 
 with gilt decorations. The walls are richly painted, those 
 supporting the galleries being laid oif in panels. The walls 
 back of the galleries are pierced by doors on each side. The 
 doors are of bird's-eye maple, elaborately finished with "foli- 
 ated bronze ornaments. Niches for statuary are also sunk 
 in the walls. The iron work was done by Janes, Beebe & Co. 
 
 The hall by day is lighted through the paneled ceiling by 
 means of the skylight in the roof. At night innumerable 
 jets ranged above the ceiling around the glass panels, and 
 supplied with gas and ignited by electricity, diffuse a soft 
 light throughout the Chamber. 
 
 Basement.— The basement of the Senate Extension is reach- 
 ed by the steps beneath the E. and W. staircase. There are 
 
COMMITTEE ROOMS. 
 
 101 
 
 two entrances from the outside, on the E. and N., and a cor- 
 ridor leading the entire length of the building and S., 
 with entrances at either end. The basement entrance has a 
 double approach consisting of a vaulted carriageway and 
 massive arcaded passage for pedestrians, both beneath the E. 
 Portico. The door opens into a vestibule, in which are eight 
 immense marble piers, four on each side, with corresponding 
 pilasters. These piers support the colonnade of the main 
 vestibule, and afford, perhaps, the most striking example of 
 the durability and strength of the edifice. Under the arches 
 of the ceiling is rich and appropriate decoration. The walls 
 are of scagliola. A colossal bust of Washington, by Beattie, 
 is here. It is not the property of the Government. At the 
 W. end of this vestibule are two doors, the one on the N\ 
 leading into a broad corridor, and on the S. to the basement 
 foot of the E. staircase, also to the Senate Eefectory, and the 
 small door on L to the folding rooms and vaults in the sub- 
 basement. The corridors of the basement present an inter- 
 esting exhibition of the decorative art. The vaulted ceilings 
 throughout are in distemper, and all below the spring of the 
 arches in oil. The walls are paneled in the style of the 15th 
 century, as employed in the Vatican at Rome, with centre 
 medallions of illustrious Americans. The name of the per- 
 son is also given. The ceilings are in the same style, with 
 introductions of modern inventions. The decorations of the 
 pilasters of all the corridors are recollections of the loggia of 
 Raphael in the Vatican, with additions from the natural 
 history of America. The birds, animals, and reptiles are 
 studies from the collection in the Museum in the Smithsonian 
 Institution. They were drawn by Brumidi, and painted by 
 Leslie. The decoration of the basement commenced in 1855. 
 The medallions and finer parts of the decoration are by Bru- 
 midi, while the details are the workmanship of others. Op- 
 posite the E. end of the N. corridor is a fine fresco of Robert 
 Fulton, the first to apply steam to the purposes of navigation. 
 The likeness is from a portrait painted by Fulton himself, and 
 now in the office of the Commissioner of Patents. The ceil- 
 ing of the N. end of the W. corridor is embellished with the 
 12 signs of the Zodiac. There are also several beautifully- 
 finished landscapes, representing Day and Night. 
 
 Committee Eooms, — The finest apartments for the uses of 
 the committees of the Senate are in the basement. They are 
 not generally open to the public, though, when not officially 
 occupied, there is no difficulty in getting a view of them, 
 through a Senator, the Sergeant-at-Arms, or clerk of the 
 committee. A rap at the door is frequently sufficient. Dur- 
 
102 
 
 COMMITTEE ROOMS. 
 
 ing the adjournment, or a recess of the Senate, the Sergeant- 
 at-Arms, whose office is in the NE . corner of the building, 
 main floor, and who has possession of the keys, will afford 
 visitors an opportunity to see these rooms. The most inter- 
 esting to visitors are the — 
 
 Room of the Committee on Military Affairs — W. side of W. 
 corridor, N. of W, staircase ; name over the door. Ceilings 
 frescoed with victors' wreaths, shields, and other emblems of 
 war. Panels of walls and pilasters represent arms and armor 
 of different periods, nations, and races, ancient and modern. 
 The pilasters were painted by Leslie. The sword across the 
 shield in the centre pilaster is a copy of the sword of Wash- 
 ington. On the W. wall is a medallion head of Liberty, sur- 
 rounded by Hags and weapons of war. Under the spring of 
 the arches are 5 historic subjects, in fresco, by Brumidi : 1ST., 
 Boston Massacre, 1770. S., Battle of Lexington, 1775. X., 
 Death of Wooster, during the British invasion of Connecti- 
 cut, 1777. S., Washington at Valley Forge, 1778. The three 
 prominent figures in the foreground are Washington, with 
 Lafayette on his 1. and Gen. Green on r. E., Storming of 
 Stony Point by Anthony Wayne, 1779. Wayne, wounded, 
 is being carried into the fort. 
 
 Room of the Committee on Naval Affairs, adjoining the 
 above on the N., name over the door. The general design of 
 the decorations is Pompeian. The principal features of the 
 ceilings are fresco representations of marine gods and god- 
 desses and the figure of an attractive Indian female. Under 
 the spring of the arches are representations of ancient porti- 
 cos with antique vessels. The walls, painted in oil, are divided 
 into nine panels, with blue background and figures represent- 
 ing the attributes of the navy as centre-pieces ; the entire 
 room executed by Brumidi. The pilasters are scagliola, by 
 French artists. 
 
 The Room of the Indian Committee, on the E. side, at the S. 
 end of the same corridor, and originally intended for the use 
 of the Committee on Agriculture, is decorated with American 
 vines and fruits. The foliage is specially well executed. The 
 ceiling is distemper and the walls oil; executed by Castens, 
 a German. At the E. end of the N. corridor, on the 1., is the 
 Room of the Committee on Foreign Relations. On the ceiling, 
 in distemper, are four well-executed eagles, and under the 
 arches, in oil, four medallions, containing profiles of chairmen 
 of the committee : Clay jS"., Allen S., Cameron E., Sumner W. 
 The medallions are by Brumidi, and the rest of the room by 
 Castens. The Judiciary Committee Room, on the same corridor, 
 and that on the Library, are also beautifully finished. Under 
 the arches of the basement, connecting range, are medallions 
 
OFFICIAL TELEGRAPH. 
 
 103 
 
 of Patrick Henry, Jefferson, and Madison, E. side ; and Han- 
 cock, J. Q. Adams, and Henry Laurens, W. side. 
 
 All the committee rooms in this Extension are richly fur- 
 nished. The name of the committee is on or over the door 
 of each. The inner rooms are devoted to the storage of pub- 
 lic documents. At the W. end of N. corridor is the elevator. 
 
 Heating and Ventilating.— The Senate heating and venti- 
 lating apparatus occupies a number of vaults in the sub-base- 
 ment of the SW. portion of the Senate Extension. It is always 
 open to visitors, and may be reached through the first door in 
 the N. wall of the passage leading W., at the basement foot 
 of the W. staircase, S. side. There are 4 fans : 2 for air and 
 2 exhaust ; 4 boilers, 3 engines, 2 steam-pnmps, 1 for attic 
 tank and 1 for boilers; 18 miles of steam-pipes in the entire 
 Extension ; 1 vaporizer, 2 descending shafts from the loft of 
 the Senate Chamber, and 1 ascending shaft into the open air, 
 the outlet at the base of the Dome. The principal air-shaft 
 enters from the glacis of the first terrace in the W. Park, 220 
 ft. from the building, the air being drawn in by a fan, and 
 forced through a main air-duet into the air-space under the 
 floor of the Senate, and thence into the Chamber by means 
 of registers. A branch air-dnct communicates with the gal- 
 leries. The supply of fresh air is 30,000, and exhaust 40,000 
 cubic ft. a minute. The original apparatus was designed by 
 Capt. M. C. Meigs, and the exhaust and other improvements 
 by H. F. Hayden, Chief Engineer U. S. Senate. The engineer 
 in charge will explain the principle. While here it would be 
 interesting to inspect the foundation walls of the building. 
 Also inquire for the entrance to the pneumatic tube on the 
 N". side, and designed to connect the Capitol and the Gov- 
 ernment Printing Office, and for the elevator engine. 
 
 Official Telegraph In the hall, at the E. end of the N. 
 
 corrider of the basement, is the office of the Government 
 Telegraph line, connecting the Capitol with the Executive 
 Departments and Government Printing Office. The wires 
 leave the building and cross the Capitol Grounds by a subter- 
 ranean cable, and thence on poles along N\ Capitol st. to the 
 Government Printing Office ; thence along G st. 1ST. to the 
 Interior, Post Office, and Treasury Departments and Attor- 
 ney General's Office. From the Treasury Department they 
 pass over the White House to the War and ISTavy Depart- 
 ments, and by a single wire to the State Department, via 
 17th st. W., Vermont av., and 14th st. ST. It is proposed to 
 extend them to embrace all the isolated Bureaus, Navy-yard, 
 and Arsenal. The line was constructed in 1873, by G. C. 
 Vlaynard, under authority of an act of Congress. From the 
 
104 
 
 THE UNDERCROFT. 
 
 Senate Extension the wires are conveyed under the arches of 
 the sub-basement of the building to the House office. 
 
 N, Wing Basement. — Instead of returning to the main 
 floor, the visitor should follow the central corridor towards 
 the S. In the main building on the r. are the Senate bath- 
 rooms. On the 1. of the arched substruction of the elliptical 
 vestibule is a passage into a vestibule, from which the door 
 on the 1. enters the Law Library. The staircase leads to the 
 vestibule N". of the Rotunda, on the main floor. 
 
 Law Library. — This apartment is semi-circular, with an 
 arched recess towards the W., and a colonnade recess on the 
 E., back of which are the only windows. An arcade passage 
 runs around the sweep of the circle, supporting a domical 
 ceiling of masonry, resting on heavy Doric columns, covering 
 the entire room. * The ceiling is groined upon the surround- 
 ing arches. In the tympanum of the W. arch, in the recess, 
 is a plaster relief, by Franzoni, representing a figure of Jus- 
 tice, and by her side Fame, crowned with a rising sun and 
 pointing to the Constitution of the United States. The col- 
 umns and piers of the arches of this room are heavy Doric. 
 Some alterations were made on the original design of this 
 room, owing to the fall of the vaulted ceiling, the result of 
 defective construction. This led to the introduction of the 
 columns, which have added greatly to the appearance of 
 solidity, and has materially strengthened that part of the 
 building. The alcoves for the books are arranged on the W. 
 Returning to the corridor and continuing S. we enter 
 
 The Crypt. — This interresting part of the basement of the 
 Capitol may also be entered beneath the central Portico or 
 W. door of basement. The Crypt presents a circular space, 
 consisting of a treble colonnade, containing 40 Doric columns 
 of the proportions of those of the Temple of Psestum, sur- 
 mounted by groined arches running in radii direction, and 
 supporting the floor of the Rotunda. The star in the pave- 
 ment under the central arch denotes the exact center of the 
 Capitol. 
 
 The Undercroft.— Beneath the Crypt is the Undercroft, or 
 vault, originally designed for the sarcophagus containing the 
 remains of Washington. The key is in the room on r. of 
 1. corridor, at the foot of the steps descending from the W. 
 door of the Crypt. An attache* of the office will lead the 
 way. The Undercroft is cruciform and arched. The square 
 portion is 10 ft. In the centre of the crowning arch is a star, 
 not distinguishable, however, which marks the exact centre 
 of the immense pile above. In the vault is portion of the 
 
NATIONAL STATUARY HALL. 
 
 105 
 
 bier on which the remains of President Lincoln, Thaddeus 
 Stevens, and Chief Justice Chase lay in state. 
 
 Upon learning of the death of Washington, Congress, 
 Dec. 24, 1799, passed resolutions appropriate to the sad 
 event, and provided that a marble monument should be 
 erected by the United States in the Capitol at Washington. 
 The President was authorized to request the wife of the de- 
 parted patriot to permit his body to be deposited under it. 
 The monument was to be so u designed as to commemorate 
 the great events of his military and political life." In re- 
 sponse to the letter of the President, Mrs. Washington thus 
 trans mitted her assent : 
 
 "Taught by the great example I have so long had before 
 me, never to oppose my private wishes to the public will, I 
 must consent to the request of Congress, which you had the 
 goodness to transmit to me ; and in doing this I need not — 
 I cannot — say what a sacrifice of individual feeling I make to 
 a sense of public duty." 
 
 The wish of Congress was not carried out, and a subse- 
 quent request of the same character, in connection with the 
 National Monument, was declined. 
 
 Keturning to the Crypt, it would be well to take a view of 
 the substruction of the central Portico from the W. door. 
 Leaving the Crypt by the S. door, the visitor enters a small 
 octagonal vestibule, beyond which are document and folding 
 rooms. The door to the 1. leads into another vestibule, of 
 beautiful design, containing a stairway, into a circular vesti- 
 bule on the main floor, communicating N. with the S. door 
 of the Rotunda, and S. with the National Statuary Hall. 
 This vestibule is crowned by a dome and cupola, and resem- 
 bles a Greek temple. The capitals of the columns are orna- 
 mented with the leaf of the cotton plant, instead of the acan- 
 thus. This vestibule corresponds with that on the N. side. 
 It is suggested that the visitor here ascends to the main floor, 
 and turning to the 1. or S. enters the 
 
 National Statuary Hall.— The National Statuary Hall, for- 
 merly used as the place of meeting of the House of Repre- 
 sentatives, is Grecian in design, having been planned and 
 adapted, by Latrobe, after the remains of the Theatre at Ath- 
 ens. It consists of a semi-circle of 9G ft. chord. The ends 
 of the prostyle and peristyle are separated by a wide project- 
 ing surface of freestone, which rises to the top of the order 
 and supports a segment arch, which corresponds with the 
 segment of the vaulted ceiling that crowns the hall and ends 
 against it. To the top of the entablature blocking is 35 ft., 
 and to the apex of the domed ceiling 57 ft. The semi-peri- 
 
106 
 
 NATIONAL STATUARY HALL. 
 
 style or circular colonnade on the !N". is composed of 14 col- 
 umns and 2 antse, of the Corinthian order ; the shafts of solid 
 blocks of variegated marble or breccia, quarried from the 
 banks of the Potomac, above the city. The bases are free- 
 stone. The capitals are of Carrara marble, executed in Italy, 
 and designed after those in the Temple of Jupiter Stator at 
 Rome — Haclfleid says after the capitals of the Lantern of De- 
 mos at Athens. The entablature is of the proportions used 
 in the former temple, ornamented with dentils and modil- 
 lons, enriched with leaves and roses. The floor is of marble. 
 A paneled dome springs overhead. The apex of the dome 
 is pierced by a circular aperture, crowned by a lantern, serv- 
 ing the double purpose of light and ventilation. The dome 
 is similar to that of the Pantheon at Rome. On the S. side 
 of the hall, forming the loggia, are 8 columns and 2 autre of 
 the same style as the peristyle. Over the entablature of this 
 colonnade springs a beautiful 72 ft. chord. On the blocking 
 of the cornice beneath is a figure of Liberty, in plaster, by 
 Caucici, 1829, originally intended for execution in marble. 
 The figure, seen from the gallaries in front, produces a strik- 
 ing effect, and is in every respect worthy of the pupil of the 
 great Canova. On the r. is the frustum of a column, around 
 which a serpent, the emblem of wisdom, is entwining itself, 
 and at the feet of the figure is an American eagle. In the 
 frieze of the entablature, under this figure, is sculptured an 
 eagle in stone, with outspread wings, the work of Valaperti, 
 and of very superior merit. The gallery over the loggia was 
 set apart for the ladies, having cushioned seats for the accom- 
 modation of 200 persons : the general gallery would seat 500. 
 Over the N. door stands an exquisitely designed and beauti- 
 fully executed clock in marble, by Chas. Franzoni, 1819. His- 
 tory, her drapery floating in the air, is represented as standing 
 in the winged car of Time and recording passing events. The 
 car is placed on a globe, on which, in basso relievo, are cut 
 the signs of the zodiac. The hours are marked on the face of 
 the wheel of the car. 
 
 In July, 1864, a paragraph in an appropriation bill passed 
 by Congress authorized the President of the United States 
 to invite each and all the States to furnish statues, in marble 
 or bronze, not exceeding two in number for each State, of 
 deceased persons who have been citizens thereof and illustri- 
 ous for their historic renown, or for distinguished civic or mili- 
 tary service, as the States determine, worthy of this national 
 commemoration, w T hen so furnished to be placed in the old 
 Hall of the House of Representatives, in the Capitol of the 
 United States, which is set apart for a National Statuary 
 Hall. 
 
NATIONAL STATUARY HALL. 
 
 107 
 
 It is to be regretted that so many years have already been 
 permitted to pass with so small a recognition of the grandeur 
 of this projected National Gallery. 
 
 The State contributions in the order received are — 
 
 Rhode Island — Major General Nathaniel Greene, a dis- 
 tinguished officer of the Revolution. Marble, by H. K. Brown. 
 Roger Williams, founder of Rhode Island and promoter of 
 civil and religious liberty in America. Marble, by Simmons. 
 
 Connecticut — Jonathan Trumbull, an eminent patriot of 
 the Revolution. From him the term u Brother Jonathan, ' r 
 as applied to the United States, originated. Marble, by Ives. 
 Roger Sherman, one of the committee to draft the Declara- 
 tion of Independence and signer of the same, member of 
 the Constitutional Convention, and a Senator of the United 
 States. Marble, by Ives, 1870. 
 
 New York — George Clinton, a statesman and officer of 
 the Revolution, Governor of New York, Vice President of 
 the United States 1805-1813. Bronze, by H. K. Brown, 1873. 
 Edward Livingston, Secretary of State 1831-1833. Now being 
 executed in Itaty. Marble, by Palmer. 
 
 The following contributions have been ordered : 
 
 New Jersey — Richard Stockton, a signer of the Declara- 
 tion of Independence, a Senator of the United States. Mar- 
 ble, by H. K. Brown. Nearly ready. Major General Philip 
 Kearney, an officer of the Army of the United States. Killed 
 in the rebellion of 1861-'65. Bronze, by H. K. Brown. 
 Nearly ready. 
 
 In addition to the State contributions, the Hall also con- 
 contains a plaster copy of the statue of George Washington at 
 Richmond, by Houdon, 1788, representing the Father of his 
 Country in civil attire, with a staff in his hand, his cloak and 
 sword resting on a bundle of rods, and with a rude plow in 
 the rear. The original was ordered by the General Assembly 
 of Va. A bust of Abraham Lincoln, marble, by Mrs. Ames, 
 18G8, $2,000, mounted on a beautiful pedestal of Aberdeen 
 granite, presented to the Fortieth Congress; a bust of T. 
 Kosciusko, the Pole, in marble, by Saunders, 1857, $500; 
 bust of Thomas Crawford, sculptor; the superb statue of 
 Alexander Hamilton, in marble, by Horatio Stone, 1868, 
 $10,000; statue of Abraham Lincoln, bv Miss Ream, 1866, 
 $15,000 ; II Penseroso, marble, Mozier, $2,000 ; and the statue 
 of Thomas Jefferson signing the Declaration of Independence, 
 bronze, by the celebrated David, of Angers, 1833, presented 
 by Lieut. Uriah P. Levy, U. S. N., to his fellow-citizens, 
 formally accepted by Congress 1874, when it was removed 
 from the grounds of the President's House, and cleaned. 
 
 The panel E. end of the prostyle is without ornament. In 
 
108 
 
 HOUSE EXTENSION. 
 
 the opposite panel is a life-size portrait of Henry Clay, by 
 John ISTeagle, 1843, $500, and portraits of Charles Carroll of 
 Oarrollton, by Chester Harding ; one of Gunning Bedford, 
 a member of the Constitutional Convention from Delaware, 
 presented; one of Joshua R. Giddings, by Miss Ransom, 
 $1,000; and a mosaic of Abraham Lincoln, by Salviati, of 
 Venice, a manufacturer. 
 
 It is proposed also to fit up this Hall with upper and lower 
 galleries, with panels and niches, the former to be occupied 
 by portraits of Speakers of the House of Representatives. 
 
 When the Hall was occupied by the House, the Speaker's 
 chair stood on the S. side, upon an open rostrum about four 
 feet above the floor, enclosed by a bronze balustrade. Rich 
 crimson curtains fell in elegant folds from the capitals of the 
 columns, and were separated so as to form luxurious dra- 
 peries as a background to the chair and rostrum. Below and 
 in front of the Speaker's rostrum stood the Clerk's desk, 
 raised on a variegated socle. Upon this stood a rich mahog- 
 any table, with damask silk curtains. This platform was 
 reached by steps on either side. Between the columns were 
 sofas and accommodations for twenty reporters. 
 
 The members' desks, of mahogany, with arm chairs, were 
 arranged in concentric circles, the aisles forming radii from 
 the centre. The Hall was arranged for 232 members. In the 
 rear of the outer row of desks wa s a bronzed iron railing with 
 curtains, constituting the bar of the House. Outside of this 
 was the lobby. The panels on either side of the ladies' gal- 
 lery contained full-length portraits of Washington by Van- 
 derlyn, and Lafayette by Ary Scheffer, a present from the 
 distinguished Frenchman upon his last visit to the United 
 States. These are now in the House of Representatives. 
 Under these were copies of the Declaration of Independence, 
 in frames emblematically ornamented. At night the Hall was 
 lighted by " solar gas" from a chandelier at the apex of the 
 dome. This Hall was occupied by Congress for 32 years. 
 During the first days of the Rebellion, 1861-'65, troops were 
 quartered in it. In 1862 it was used as a hospital for the sick 
 and wounded of the army; and in 1864, by act of Congress, 
 was set apart for its present appropriate purpose. 
 
 South or H House " Extension. — The S. door of the National 
 Statuary Hall opens into a broad corridor, which constitutes 
 the beginning of the S. Extension of the Capitol, devoted en- 
 tirely to the uses of the House of Representatives, the lower 
 branch of the Congress of the United States. This portion 
 of the building corresponds, in its general features, with the 
 Senate Extension, the larger size of the Hall of the Repre- 
 
HOUSE EXTENSION. 
 
 109 
 
 sentatives constituting the only difference. The E. staircase, 
 the same as the Senate, leads to the galleries for diplomatic 
 representatives and families of members of Congress. At the 
 foot, is the Statue of Jefferson, by Powers, 1863, $10,000, ex- 
 ecuted in Italy, very superior. Opposite, over the first land- 
 ing, is an equestrian portrait of General Winfield Scott, by 
 Troye, (not owned by the Government,) painted for the Vir- 
 ginia legislature, the rebellion breaking out before it was de- 
 livered. The main entrance into the vestibule bej^ond will be 
 fitted with a bronze door, the designs of which were prepared 
 by Crawford, sculptor of the Senate door, previous to his 
 death, and executed, in model, by Rhinehart, $9,000, and are 
 now stored in the building. The door will represent scenes 
 in the life of Washington. The vestibule consists of 8 fluted 
 columns in couples, with capitals enriched with acanthus, to- 
 bacco, and corn leaves. In the walls are niches. On the 1. 
 of the S. corridor is the Members'' Retiring Room, now used by 
 the Official Reporters. The lobby beyond and the floor of the 
 Hall are open to the public during a recess or adjournment. 
 At other times a member of the House can pass visitors into 
 the former. The rules of the House designate those privi- 
 leged to the floor. The lobby has an iron-paneled ceiling, 
 decorated in oil, after the style of the 15th century. On the 
 r. the doors open into the Hall, and on the 1. is the Sergeant- 
 at-Arms^ Room, in which the Mace is kept when the House of 
 Representatives is not in session. The Speakers Room, next 
 on the 1., is entirely finished in iron, enriched with gilt. The 
 furniture and fittings are extremely fine. On the walls are 
 engravings or photographs of the Speakers. On the 1. of the 
 W. corridor are the Offices of the House. On the same cor- 
 ridor is the W. staircase, the same as on the E. At the foot 
 is the head of Bee-she-kee, The Buffalo, a Chippewa warrior 
 from the sources of the Mississippi, from nature by F. Vin- 
 centi, 1854 ; copied in bronze by Joseph Lassalle, 1858. Op- 
 posite, over the first landing, is Westward Ho, a chromo-silica, 
 by Emanuel Leutze, 1862, $20,000. The best view is from 
 the balustrade at the top of the staircase. The painting rep- 
 resents an emigrant train crossing the Rocky Mountains. The 
 figures are excellent, and the face of nature in those high al- 
 v titudes is faithfully portrayed. A guide to these wild regions 
 leads the way. The faces of the travel-worn emigrants beam 
 with hope. In the distant valley in the rear is an emigrant 
 camp. The snow-clad peaks and rugged rocks all appear in 
 their wild sublimity. Above are the words "Westward the 
 Course of Empire takes it way," and below is the "Golden 
 Gate," the entrance to the harbor of San Francisco. The 
 entire picture is surrounded by an appropriate border. Ia 
 
110 
 
 HALL OF THE HOUSE. 
 
 I 1 w i h y 
 
112 
 
 HALL OF REPRESENTATIVES. 
 
 that on the N. is a portrait of Daniel Boone, and below the 
 
 words — 
 
 41 The spirit grows with its allotted space, 
 The mind is narrowed in a narrow sphere. 1 ' 
 
 Opposite is a portrait of Capt. William Clarke, and beneath 
 the words — 
 
 w No pent-up Utica contracts our powers, 
 But the whole boundless continent is ours." 
 
 Second Floor. — The visitor has now reached the second 
 story, or gallery floor. The corridors on the W., where he 
 stands, and on the N. and E., are open to the public. That 
 on the S. is devoted to the Press Telegraph Offices, and Re- 
 porter's Retiring Room in the W. half, and Ladies' 1 Retiring 
 Room on the E . The latter is reached by the N. and E. cor- 
 ridors, the entrance being at the S. end of the latter, right- 
 hand side. The House Document Library, containing about 
 60,000 vols., is on the ST. corridor centre, ]ST. side. Commit- 
 tee rooms open from the outside upon the E. and W. corri- 
 dors. The corridors are neatly but plainly finished, in stucco 
 ornamentations, on tinted and plain background. 
 
 Galleries. — The galleries entered from the W. doors are 
 for ladies or gentlemen accompanied by ladies ; on the N. 
 for gentlemen; on E. families of members and diplomatic 
 representatives and ladies ; and on the S., in centre, mem- 
 bers of the press and ladies on either side. The entrances 
 to all these galleries, during the sessions of Congress, are 
 guarded by doorkeepers, whose duty it is to seat the people, 
 and to see that proper decorum is observed. 
 
 The Hall of the Kepresentatives— or the " House of Kep- 
 resentatives," occupies the centre of the main floor of the S. 
 Extension of the Capitol. The dimensions of this superb 
 legislative hall, the finest in the world, are : length, 139 ft. ; 
 width, 93 ft. ; height, 36 ft. The measurement of the floor 
 is 115 ft. by 67 ft. The form of the hall is a parallelogram, 
 with a range of galleries on the four sides, and capable of 
 seating about 2,500 persons. Beneath these galleries, against 
 the 2sT., E., and W. walls, are cloak and retiring rooms. 
 Under the galleries, over the back of the Speaker's chair, is 
 the lobby. 
 
 Upon the floor of the Hall are oak desks for 302 members 
 and delegates, arranged in 7 concentric semi-circles, facing 
 the S. The aisles diverge from the Speaker's "desk." The 
 latter is raised about 3 ft. from the floor. In front are desks 
 for the clerks of the House, and still in front desks for the 
 official reporters. These are made of white marble, with a 
 
BASEMENT. 
 
 113 
 
 base of Tennessee, and are extremely beautiful. The clock 
 marks the morning hour and limit of debate. E. of the 
 Speaker is a circular pedestal of Vermont marble, upon which 
 the mace or insignia of authority is placed when the House is 
 in session. When not in use, this may be seen in the room of 
 the Sergeant-at-Arms in the SE. end of the lobby. It con- 
 sists of a bundle of lictor's rods, bound together by silver liga- 
 tures, and surmounted by a silver terrestial globe, crowned by 
 the American eagle. Against the wall on the same side is a 
 full-length portrait of Washington, by Vanderlyn, 1834, and 
 in the corresponding position on the W. a similar portrait of 
 the Marquis de Lafayette,by Ary Scheffer,1822, the celebrated 
 French artist. The latter was presented to Congress by La- 
 fayette upon his last visit to the United States. In the W. 
 panel of the S. wall, under the gallery, is a fresco by Bru- 
 midi, representing Washington at Yorktown receiving the 
 officer sent by Cornwallis to ask a two days' cessation of hos- 
 tilities, and in place of which two hours were granted. The 
 fresco was necessarily finished in great haste. The location 
 is also unsuitable. Over the door is a clock, surmounted 
 by an eagle, and supported on either side by figures of an In- 
 dian and hunter. 
 
 The ceiling of the Hall is of cast iron, paneled, and highly 
 enriched with gilt moldings, and supported on a decorated 
 cornice. There are 45 panels, filled with glass of appropriate 
 design, 37 with stained centre pieces, representing the coats 
 of arms of the States. There are two outer rows of panels, 
 that nearest the walls consisting of open work with massive 
 pendants in the centre. The iron frame- work of the panels 
 is beautifully painted and gilded. Between the ceiling and 
 the roof of the building is the illuminating loft, which also 
 accommodates the truss-work connecting the frame of the 
 ceiling with the roof, in order to secure increased strength. 
 Inside the panels are gas jets, numbering about 1,500, lighted 
 by electricity, and which, during night sessions, shed a mel- 
 low light upon the Hall beneath. The Hall is heated and 
 ventilated by the same means as devised for the Senate. 
 
 Basement. — The basement, reached beneath the E. or W. 
 staircase, is entirely without decoration. The central cor- 
 ridor, 25 ft. wide from N". to S., consists of a fine colonnade 
 of 14 fluted marble columns on each side, with capitals 
 formed of acanthus, tobacco, and corn leaves. The walls 
 are scagliola, imitating Sienna marble, the ceiling iron, and 
 the floor of encaustic tiles. On the 1. is the u House" Ke- 
 fectory. The central corridor on the left passes the bath 
 rooms, and terminates in the E. vestibule. The narrow 
 
114 
 
 HISTORY. 
 
 passage on the 1. leads to the steps to the vaults and sub- 
 basement, in which are the kitchens, heating and ventilat- 
 ing apparatus, and coal vaults. These are materially the 
 same as beneath the Senate. 
 
 Committee Kooms. — The only committee room of special 
 interest is that on Agriculture, in the basement, on the W. 
 side of the W. corridor &., and near the foot of the W. stair- 
 case. This room was decorated by Brumidi in 1855, the first 
 work of the kind done on the Capitol, and, with the excep- 
 tion of the panels, is frescoed throughout. On the ceilings 
 are representations of the four seasons, symbolized in Flora, 
 Ceres, Bacchus, and Boreas. On the E. wall is a fresco 
 representing Cincinnatus called from the plow to be Dictator 
 of Rome. On the opposite wall is a corresponding scene, rep- 
 resenting Putnam called from the plow to join in the battles 
 of the Revolution. On the S. is a medallion of Washington, 
 and beneath a Harvest in the Olden Time. Opposite Jefferson, 
 and beneath, a Harvest Scene with Modern Improvements. 
 This room may be seen by rapping at the door or making 
 . inquiry of one of the Capitol Police. 
 
 The visitor has now seen the grander features of the Capi- 
 tol. Those portions having no special interest have been 
 purposely omitted, it being considered unnecessary to burden 
 him with useless and unimportant details. 
 
 Capitol Police. — The Capitol is patrolled by a special police 
 corps, organized in 1862, and under the exclusive control of 
 Congress. The officers and privates are invariably courteous, 
 and will take pleasure at all times in directing or escorting 
 strangers to various parts of the building. 
 
HISTORY. 
 
 115 
 
 Architects of the Capitol. — 1793, Dr. William Thornton, of Penn., an 
 amateur, designer of the Capitol ; 1793, Stephen Hallet, France; 1794, James 
 Hoban, S. C; 1795, George Hadfield, England ; 1796, James Hoban, S. C; 
 1797, George Hadfield, England ; 1803, R. H. Latrobe, Md.; 1817, Charles 
 Bulfinch, Mass.; 1851, Thomas U. Walter, Penn.; 1865, Edward Clark, Penn. 
 
 History. — The site of the Capitol was chosen and approved by Washing- 
 ton, in the original plans of the city, submitted to him by L'Enfant, and in the 
 summer of 1791 was located. On this occasion Mr. Ellicott drew the meridian 
 and the E. and W. lines, at the intersection of which the Capitol was to stand. 
 This having been accomplished, in March, 1792, the commissioners advertised 
 in the newspapers in the principal towns and cities of the United States, offer- 
 ing a premium of $500, or a medal, for a plan of a President's House and 
 Capitol. In this matter Jefferson took an active interest. During his residence 
 in Europe he had collected drawings of the fronts of celebrated public build- 
 ings. These were now produced for examination. He suggested, in the present 
 instance, that the style of architecture of the Capitol should be taken from 
 some model of antiqu ty, and that the President's House should be modern 
 
 the capitol of the united states of America in 1840. (Eastern Facade.) 
 In response to the advertisements a number of plans were submitted, but in the 
 selection of one for the Capitol there was a variety of opinions^ 
 
 Apian by Dr. Wm. Thornton, of Penn., but materially altered and im- 
 proved by others, was approved by Washington and submitted to Stephen 
 Hallet, a French architect, who was intrusted with its execution. On Sept. 
 18, 1793, the corner-stone of the edifice, SE. corner, was laid by Brother 
 George Washington, assisted by the Worshipful Masters and Free Masons 
 of the surrounding cities, the military, and a large number of people. The 
 silver plate deposited in the cavity of the stone bope the following inscription : 
 
 "This south-east corner-stone of the Capitol of the United* States of America, 
 in the City of Washington, was laid on the 18th day of September, 1793, in the 
 thirteenth year of American Independence, in the first year of the sec- 
 ond term of the Presidency of George Washington, whose virtues in the civil 
 administration of his country have been as conspicouous and beneficial, as his 
 military valor and prudence have been useful in establishing her liberties, and 
 in the year of Masonry 5793, by the President of the United States, in concert 
 with the Grand Lodge of Maryland, several Lodges under its jurisdiction, and 
 Lodge No. 22 from Alexandria, Virginia. 
 
 "Thomas Johnson, David Stewart, and Daniel Carroll, Commissioners ; 
 Joseph Clarke, R. W. G. M. P. T.; James Hoban and Stephen Hallate, Ar-> 
 chitects ; Collin Williamson, M. Mason." 
 
116 
 
 HISTORY. 
 
 After ascending from the cavazion the Grand Master, P. T., Joseph Clarke, 
 delivered an oration during which, at intervals, volleys were fired by the 
 artillery. The ceremony closed in prayer, Masonic chanting honors, and a 
 national salute of 15 guns. 
 
 The President wore the apron and full regalia of a Mason. The gavel used 
 was of ivory, and is still preserved as a treasured relic by Lodge No. 9 ot 
 Georgetown. fc 
 
 After the dedicatory services the entire assemblage took part in a barbecue 
 arranged for the occasion in the E. Park. 
 
 The N. Wing was ready for 
 occupation in 1800. In the com- 
 pleted wing the Senate on the 
 W. side, the House of Repre- 
 sentatives on E., and the Su- 
 preme Court in the basement, 
 first held their sessions. In 
 1801 the House occupied a tem- 
 porary structure called the 
 "Oven," from its shape, erected 
 on the site of the present S. Ex- 
 tension. In 1805 it returned to 
 its first apartment in the N. 
 Wing. In 1803 R. H. Latrobe 
 was appointed Architect of the 
 Capitol. This gentleman made 
 radical changes in the elevation 
 and ground plan of the build- 
 ing, raising the floor from the 
 ground story to the principal 
 order over the casement. The 
 S. Wing was in readiness for the 
 occupation of Congress in i8ir. 
 The central portions were still 
 unfinished. An unsightly wood- 
 en passage connected the two 
 wings. During the war of 1812 
 work on the building was sus- 
 pended. In 1814 the interior of 
 both wings was destroyed by 
 the British, after which Con- 
 gress, on Sept. 19, 1814, met 
 temporarily in the structure 
 known as Blodgett's Hotel, sit- 
 uated on the E-st. front of the 
 square now occupied by the 
 General Post Office. The ses- 
 sion of Congress commencing 
 Dec. 18, 1815, assembled in a 
 building on the SE. corner of A 
 and 1st sts. NE. erected by the 
 citizens of Washington for the 
 purpose, and was occupied till 
 the restoration cf the S. Wing 
 of the original Capitol in 1827. 
 This structure was afterwards known as the "Old Capitol," and was used 
 as a political prison during the Rebellion, 1861-65. 
 
 In 1815, after an obstinate discussion, for a time threatening the most serious 
 consequences to the harmony of the Union, Congress determined to restore the 
 Capitol. The work of restoration was commenced by Mr. Latrobe. Charles 
 Bulfinch, of Boston, hih successor, commenced the central portions of the build- 
 ing, including the Rotunda and Library, in 1818, which were completed in 1827. 
 
HISTORY. 
 
 lit 
 
 In 1818 a temporary building was erected near the Capitol for the use of com- 
 mittees of Congress. The plans of Latrobe, with a few slight modifications, 
 were carried out, and the entire structure, with terraces and grounds, was com- 
 pleted in 13 years, at a cost, including alterations, repairs, &c, and improve- 
 ment of grounds, to 1851, when the Extensions were added, $2,690,459.21. In 
 Sept., 1850, Congress passed an act authorizing the extension of the Capitol. 
 Thomas U. Walter, the architect of Girard College, at Philadelphia, in June, 
 1851, submitted apian of extension to President Fillmore. This was accepted, 
 and Mr. Walter was designated 
 to carry it into execution. The 
 corner-stone of the S. extension 
 was laid on July 4, 1851. The 
 following is a copy of the record 
 deposited beneath the corner- 
 stone : 
 
 " On the morning of the first 
 day of the seventy -sixth year of 
 the Independence of the United 
 States of America, in the City 
 of Washington, being the 4th 
 day of July, 1851, this stone, 
 designated as the corner-stone 
 of the Extension of the Capitol, 
 according to a plan approved 
 by the President, in pursuance 
 by of an act of Congress, was laid 
 Millard Fillmore, President 
 of the United States, assisted 
 by the Grand Master of the 
 Masonic Lodges, in the presence 
 of many members of Congress; 
 of officers of the Executive and 
 Judiciary departments, Nation- 
 al, State and District ; of officers 
 of the Army and Navy ; the 
 corporate authorities of this and 
 neighboring cities ; many asso- 
 ciations, civil and military and 
 Masonic; officers of the Smith- 
 sonian Institution and National 
 Institute ; professors of colleges 
 and teachers of schools of the 
 District of Columbia, with their 
 students and pupils ; and a vast 
 concourse of people from places 
 near and remote, including a 
 few surviving gentlemen who 
 witnessed the laying of the 
 corner-stone of the Capitol by 
 President Washington, on the 
 eighteenth day of September, 
 seventeen hundred and ninety- 
 three. 
 
 u If, therefore, it shall be hereafter the will of God that this structure shall 
 fall from its base, that its foundation be upturned, and this deposit brought to 
 the eye of men, be it known that, on this day, the Union of the United States 
 of America stands firm ; that their Constitution still exists unimpaired, and 
 with all its original usefulness and glory, growing every day stronger and 
 stronger in the affections of the great body of the American people, and attract- 
 ing more and more the admiration of the world. And all here assembled, 
 whether belonging to public life or to private life, with hearts devoutly thankful 
 
118 
 
 HISTORY OF CONGRESS. 
 
 to Almighty God for the preservation of the liberty and happiness of the coun 
 try, unite in sincere and fervent prayers that this deposit, and the walls and 
 arches, the domes and towers, the columns and entablatures, now to be erected 
 over it, may endure forever ! 
 
 " God save the United States of America ! Daniel Webster, 
 
 "Secretary of State of the United States." 
 
 Daniel Webster, the orator of the day, concluded the ceremonies in an elo- 
 quent address. 
 
 In 1855 Congress authorized the removal of the Dome, and the construction 
 of a new one of iron, according to the plans of Architect Walter. The first 
 Dome was built of wood. In the fire of 1851, which consumed the interior of 
 the Library of Congress, this Dome was in imminent danger. Tnough»it 
 escaped destruction, the lesson suggested its removal, which was done in 1856. 
 In its place the erection of the present Dome of iron, finished in 1865, was 
 undertaken. The inner shell of the first Dome was ornamented with panels or 
 caissons, and modeled after that of the Pantheon of Agrippa at Rome. It was 
 smaller in size, the Dome of the Capitol being 96 ft. in height and diameter, 
 and 122^ ft to the skylight. The Dome of the Pantheon was 142 ft. in diam- 
 eter, which was about the same as the height, one-half being the height of the 
 Dome and the circular opening for light 23 ft. in diameter. The outer shell of 
 the Dome of the Capitol was higher in proportion than its original in Rome. 
 The circular aperture at the apex was also covered by a cupola, around which 
 there was a balustrade, reached by a stairway between the inner and outer 
 shells. The access, however, was inconvenient and dangerous. On one occa- 
 sion a lady slipped and fell upon the sash, breaking the glass, but was prevented 
 from precipitation to the pavement of the Rotunda below by the strength of the 
 frame. 
 
 The work on the Capitol was continued through the war of the rebellion, 
 i86i- 1 65. On December 12, 1863, at noon, the statue of Freedom which sur- 
 mounts the Dome was placed in position. The flag of the United States was 
 unfurled from its crest, and was greeted by the shouts ot thousands of citizens 
 and soldiers. A national salute of thirty-five guns was fired by a field battery 
 in the E. Park, and was responded to by the great guns of the chain of forts 
 constituting the defenses of the threatened capital of the Nation. 
 
 The new Hall of the S. Extension was occupied by the House of Represen- 
 tatives December 16, 1857, and that of the N. by the Senate January 4, 1859. 
 The Capitol to date cost: Main Building S3, 000,000 ; Dome, $1,000,000; 
 Extensions N. and S., #8,000,000 ; miscellaneous, $1,000,000. Total, $13,000,- 
 000. {See description of the Capitol for details of its construction , embellish- 
 ments, and objects of interest within its mighty walls. ) 
 
 HISTORY OF CONGRESS. 
 
 The First Continental Congress, Peyton Randolph, of Va., 
 President, met at Philadelphia in Sept., 1774, all the colonies 
 except Georgia being represented. The British king and 
 ministry were highly incensed at these u persons, styling 
 themselves delegates of his majesty's colonies in America, 
 having presumed, without his majesty's consent, to assemble 
 together at Philadelphia." A circular was sent to ail the 
 colonial governors, and every effort was made, by threat or 
 intimidation, to frustrate the assembling of the proposed 
 Congress of 1775. The royal disapprobation of the proceed- 
 
RATIFICATION OF CONSTITUTION. 
 
 119 
 
 ing had no effect whatever. The Congress met at the ap- 
 pointed time and place, and Pe\'ton Randolph, of Va., was 
 again chosen President. Since this gathering the American 
 Congress, Continental or General, as it was variously styled, 
 has had an unbroken line of succession. 
 
 Sessions of the Continental Congress. — Commenced 1774, 
 Sept. 5, Philadelphia, Penn. ; 1775, May 10, Philadelphia, 
 Penn. ; 1776, Dec. 29, Baltimore, Md. ; 1777, March 4, Phil- 
 adelphia, Penn.; 1777, Sept. 27, Lancaster, Penn.; 1777, 
 Sept. 3D, York, Penn.; 1778. July 2, Philadelphia, Penn.; 
 1783, June 30, Princeton, N. J. ; 1783, Nov. 26, Annapolis, 
 Md.; 1784, Nov. 1, Trenton, N. J.; 1783, Jan. 11, New 
 York City, N. Y., until the adoption of the Constitution of 
 the United States. 
 
 Presidents of the Continental Congress. 1774-1788.— Pey- 
 ton Randolph, Va., elected Sept. 5, 1774 ; Henry Middleton, 
 S. C, Oct. 22, 1774; Peyton Randolph, Va., May 10, 1775; 
 John Hancock, Mass., May 24, 1775; Henry Laurens, S. C, 
 Nov. 1, 1777; John Jay, N. Y., Dec. 10, 1778; Samuel 
 Huntingdon, Conn., Sept. 28, 1779; Thomas McKean, Del., 
 July 10, 1781 ; John Hanson, Md., Nov. 5, 1781 ; Elias Bou- 
 dinot, N. J., Nov. 4, 1782; Thomas Mifflin, Penn., Nov. 3, 
 1783; Richard Henry Lee, Va., Nov. 3 J, 1784; Nathaniel 
 Gorham, Mass., June 6, 1786; Arthur St. Clair, Penn., Feb. 
 2, 1787; Cyrus Griffin, Va., Jan. 22, 1788. 
 
 Under the Articles of Confederation, executed at Phila- 
 delphia July 9, 1778, Congress met annually on the first 
 Monday in November, till the Constitution of the United 
 States went into operation, in 1789. 
 
 Eatification of the Constitution.— The Constitution of the 
 United States of America was adopted September 17, 1787, 
 pursuant to a resolution dated February 21, 1787, of the Con- 
 gress assembled under the provisions of the Articles of Con- 
 federation. The ratification, in convention, by the thirteen 
 original States, was as follows: 1787, Dec. 7, Delaware; 1787, 
 Dec. 12, Pennsylvania ; 1787, Dec. 18, New Jersey ; 1788, Jan. 
 2, Georgia; 1788, Jan. 9, Connecticut; 1788, Feb. 6, Massa- 
 chusetts ; 1788, April 28, Maryland ; 1788, May 23, South Car- 
 olina; 1788, June 21, New Hampshire; 1788, June 26, Vir- 
 ginia; 1788, Julv26, New York; 1789, Nov. 21. North Carolina; 
 1790, May 29, Rhode Island. 
 
 The first Congress wider the Constitution commenced March 
 4, 1789, held two sessions in New York City, and subsequent- 
 ly met in Philadelphia, Dec. 6, 1790. For the next ten years 
 the national capital found a resting place on the veiy spot 
 
120 
 
 PRESIDENTS OF THE SENATE. 
 
 where the Continental Congress of 1776 had given to the world 
 that great instrument of American freedom the Declaration 
 of Independence. The next step was to plant itself upon the 
 broad waters of the Potomac. 
 
 In June, 1800, the executive branch of the Government 
 was transferred from Philadelphia to the Permanent Seat 
 of Government, and future Capital of the Republic establish- 
 ed, by the act of 1790. The 6th Congress, 2d Session, the 
 first which met in the City of Washington, assembled here 
 on Nov. 17, 1800, the third Monday of Nov., but failed of a 
 quorum of the Senate till Nov. 21, on which day the Presi- 
 dent of the United States and House of Representatives 
 were notified of the organization of that body. On the next 
 clay the President of the United States, John Adams, in 
 person, delivered an appropriate address to the two Houses 
 of Congress assembled in the Senate Chamber of the Capitol. 
 
 The Constitution requires that "Congress shall assemble at 
 least once in every year, and such meeting shall be on the 
 first Monday in December, unless they shall by law appoint 
 a different day." Article I section 1 of the Constitution 
 provides that all legislative powers therein granted shall be 
 vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist 
 of a Senate and House of Representatives, The Senate is 
 composed of two Senators from each State, chosen by the 
 Legislature thereof for six years ; and each Senator has one 
 vote. The Senate is divided equally into three classes, so 
 that one third may be chosen every second year, the senato- 
 rial term of a class always beginning with a new Congress. 
 The Senate has advisory as well as legislative powers. Pres- 
 ent number 74. 
 
 Presidents of the Senate, — (Vice Presidents of the United 
 States. ,)— 1789, 1-4 Congress, John Adams, Mass. ; 1797, 5-6, 
 Thomas Jefferson, Va. ; 1801, 7-8, Aaron Burr, N.Y. ; 1805, 
 9-12, George Clinton, N. Y. ; 1813, 13-14, Elbridge Gerry, 
 Mass. ; 1817, 15-18, D. D. Tompkins, N. Y. ; 1825, 19-22, J. 
 C. Calhoun, S. C. ; 1833, 23-24, Martin Van Buren, N. Y. ; 
 1837, 25-26, R. M. Johnson, Ky. ; 1841, 27, John Tyler, Va. ; 
 1843, 28, vacant; 1845, 29-30, G. M. Dallas, Penn. ; 1849, 
 31, Millard Fillmore, 1ST. Y. ; 1851, 32, vacant; 1853, 33-34, 
 W. R. King, 1 mo., Ala,; 1853, 33-34, vacant; 1857, 35-36, 
 John C. Breckinridge, Ky. ; 1861, 37-38, H. Hamlin, Me. ; 
 1865, 39-40, A. Johnson, Tenn. ; 1867, 40, vacant; 1869, 41-42, 
 Schuyler Colfax, Ind. ; 1873, 43, Henry Wilson, Mass. 
 
 The House of Representatives is composed of member.* 
 chosen every second year b}^ the people of the several States, 
 and are apportioned according to their respective population. 
 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. 
 
 121 
 
 Representation, 293 members, 10 delegates, viz : Alabama, 
 8 ; Arkansas, 4 ; California, 4 ; Connecticut 4 ; Delaware, 1 ; 
 Florida, 2; Georgia, 9; Illinois, 19; Indiana, 13; Iowa, 9; 
 Kansas, 3 ; Kentucky 10 ; Louisiana, 6 ; Maine, 5 ; Maryland, 
 6 ; Massachusetts, 11 ; Michigan, 9 ; Minnesota, 3 ; Mississip- 
 pi, 6 ; Missouri, 13 ; Nebraska, 1 ; Nevada, 1 ; New Hamp- 
 shire 3 ; New Jersey, 7 ; New York, 33 ; North Carolina, 8 ; 
 Ohio, 20 ; Oregon, 1 ; Pennsylvania, 27 ; Rhode Island, 2 ; 
 South Carolina, 5; Tennessee, 10; Texas, 6; Vermont, 3; 
 Virginia, 9 ; West Virginia, 3 ; Wisconsin, 8 ; and one dele- 
 gate from each of the Territories of Arizona, Colorada, Dako- 
 ta, District of Columbia, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Utah, 
 Washington, and Wyoming. Delegates may propose mea- 
 sures relating to their own Territory, but have no vote. 
 
 Speakers of the House of Representatives. — 1789, 1st Con- 
 gress, F. A. Muhlenberg, Penn.; 1791, 2, Jonathan Trum- 
 bull, Conn.; 1793, 3, F. A. Muhlenberg, Penn.; 1795, 4-5, 
 Jonathan Dayton, N. J. ; 1799, 6, Theodore Sedgwick, Mass. ; 
 1801, 7-9, Nathaniel Macon, N. C. ; 1807, 10-11, Joseph B. 
 Varnum, Mass.; 1811, 12-13, Henry Clay, Ky. ; 1813, 13, 
 Langdon Cheves, S. C. ; 1815, 14-16, Henry Clay, Ky. ; 1819, 
 16, John W. Taylor, N. Y. ; 1821, 17, Philip B. Barbour, Va. ; 
 1823, 18, Henry Clay, Ky. ; 1825, 19, John W. Taylor, N. 
 Y.; 1827, 20-23, Andrew Stevenson, Va.; 1835, 24, John 
 Bell., Tenn. ; 1837, 25-26, James K. Polk, Tenn. ; 1841, 27, 
 R. M. T. Hunter, Va. ; 27, John White, Ky. ; 1843, 28, John 
 W. Jones, Va. ; 1845, 29, J. W. Davis, Ind. ; 1847, 30, R. C. 
 Winthrop, Mass. ; 1849, 31, Howell Cobb, Ga, ; 1851, 32-33, 
 Linn Boyd, Ky. ; 1855, 34, N. P. Banks, Mass. ; 1857, 35 
 James L. Orr, S. C. ; 1859, 36, W. Pennington, N. J. ; 1861, 
 37, Galusha A. Grow, Penn. ; 1863, 38-40, Schuyler Colfax, 
 Ind. ; 1869. 41-43, J. G. Blaine, Me. 
 
122 
 
 president's house. 
 
 PRESIDENT'S HOUSE. 
 
 The official residence of the President of the United States 
 of America stands o*i the W. plateau of the city, 1J m. from 
 the Capitol. In the early official plans and documents it is 
 designated the President' s Ilouse^ but has been since styled 
 the Executive Mansion, and popularly the "White House." 
 The Pennsylvania-av. street cars pass in front. 
 
 Grounds. — The edifice is situated near the N. limit of Res- 
 ervation No. 1, known as the President's Grounds, revised 
 measurement, SOf a. The private grounds consist of about 
 20 a. On the E., about 450 ft. distant, is the Treasury De- 
 partment, and on the W. are the Departments of State, War, 
 and Navy. Between these buildings and the President's 
 House is Executive av. In front a broad av., from 15th to 17th 
 sts. \V., separates the N. Park from Lafayette Square. Two 
 gateways, connected by a semi-circular drive and footwalk, 
 lead to the N. portico. This portion of the grounds is laid out 
 in walks and parterres, with a fountain in the centre. The 
 grounds S. are divided by the semi-circular extension of Ex- 
 ecutive av. That part within the enclosure is private, and is 
 adorned with lawns, walks, trees, flowers, and a fountain. On 
 every Saturday afternoon during the summer the Marine Band 
 plays in these grounds. To the SW. are the President's Sta- 
 bles. The broad avenue running S. connects with the drive 
 on the Mall. 
 
 The Building,— The President's House (E. Boom open to 
 visitors every day, except Sunday, from 10 a. m. to 3 p. m.) 
 built of freestone painted white, is 170 ft. long by 86 ft. wide, 
 two stories high, broken by pilasters of the order, and crowned 
 with a balustrade. On the N. is a grand portico, supported 
 on 8 Ionic columns, with corresponding pilasters in the rear, 
 affording a shelter for carriages and pedestrians. The S. front 
 is adorned with a lofty semi-circidar colonnade of G columns, 
 of the same style as the N., resting on a rustic basement, and 
 reached by 2 flights of steps. On the W. are the Conservato- 
 ries. The general style is a modification of the residence of 
 the Duke of Lienster, Dublin. The main door on the N. 
 opens into a spacious vestibule or entrance hall, 40 ft. front by 
 50 ft. deep. A sash screen divides the entrance hall into two 
 unequal parts, The entrance hall is frescoed overhead. The 
 medallions on either side of the beautiful crystal chandelier 
 are canvas, by Brumidi. On the walls, within the screen, are 
 portraits of Presidents John Adams, Van Buren, Tyler, Polk r 
 Fillmore, and Pierce, by Healy, purchased under act of 1857. 
 
124 
 
 president's house. 
 
 The Washington is by Stuart. During 1 the invasion of the 
 British one of the colored servants of President Madison cut 
 this picture from the frame, and in the flight of the Presi- 
 dent's household carried it to Tennallytown, thus saving it 
 from destruction. The portrait of Lincoln, by Cogswell, 
 was purchased in 1869. The small door on the r. opens into 
 the Waiting Room, and the corresponding door on the 1. 
 into a passage at the foot of the public stairway to the Ante 
 Room. This passage is also used for the Marine Band, when 
 performing at receptions. Across the passage is the East, 
 originally designed for the Banqueting Room, and still so 
 used since 1837 — a beautiful apartment, 80 ft. by 40 ft., and 
 22 ft. high. The style of decoration is pure Greek, done in 
 1873. The ceiling is divided into three panels, the centre 
 varied in pattern, and all painted in oil. The walls are 
 raised paper, gilded, and painted a drab gray. The wood- 
 work throughout, including dado, columns, pilasters, gir- 
 ders, cornice, and carved mantel-pieces, are in white and 
 gold. There are four mirrors on the side walls, and two at 
 either end. The furniture and hangings of the windows are 
 in keeping. The rest of the first floor is private. 
 
 The centre door within the screen opens into the Oval, or 
 Blue-Room, 40 by 30 ft., a brilliant apartment, beautifully 
 finished in blue and gold. The chandelier is crystal, fitted 
 with a reflector. On the mantel are a pair of French vases 
 of superior design and workmanship. In this room the Pres- 
 ident receives diplomatic ministers accredited to the United 
 States and presented for the first time. The President and 
 wife also receive the people here on public occasions. 
 
 On theE., through a door, is the Green Room, opening into 
 E. Room, and on the W. the Red Room, opening into the 
 State Dining Room, 40 by 30 ft., with a dining table for 36 
 covers, and suitable table ornaments. The Green and Red 
 Rooms are 30 by 20 ft., and tastefully furnished. The Red 
 Room is also the family parlor. On the mantel-piece is a fine 
 gilt clock and pair of French vases, one with a representa- 
 tion of the residence of Franklin at Passy, and the other 
 showing the environs of Passy. At the W. end of the corri- 
 dor are the Billiard Room and large Conservatory. In the 
 NW. corner, across the corridor, are the private dining room, 
 butler's pantry, and private stairs. 
 
 On the second floor, the E. part of the building is occu- 
 pied by the Executive Office and Ante Room, the latter reached 
 by the public staircase through the door on the r. The Pres- 
 idents Office, or Cabinet Room, is a fine apartment on the S. 
 side, opposite the S. door of the passage, at the head of the 
 public stairway, and looks out upon the S. portico. Adjoin- 
 
PREslDEiNT'tS HOUSE. 
 
 125 
 
 ing is the library, used also as a family sitting room, and en- 
 tered by a private door. The private portions of the second 
 floor are on the W. side, shut off from the E., and consist of 
 seven sleeping apartments. 
 
 In the basement are the servants' quarters, kitchens, store- 
 rooms, and vaults for fuel. 
 
 For formalities and receptions, see General Information — 
 Etiquette. 
 
 PRESIDENT'S HOUSE — SOUTH FRONT. 
 
 History — The President's House, or 44 Palace," so styled in the earlier doc- 
 uments, was the first of the public buildings erected. On March 14, 1792, the Com- 
 missioners of the city advertised for plans for a President's House and Capitol. On 
 July 16, 1792, these were examined at Georgetown. The first premium of $500 waa 
 awarded to James Hoban, of Charleston, S. C, for the plan of a President's House. 
 On Oct. 13, 1792, the Commissioners, accompanied by the Freemasons, architects, 
 and the inhabitants of Washington and Georgetown, marched in procession to the 
 site selected for the President's House, and there, with appropriate and solemn 
 ceremonies, laid the corner-stone of that structure. 
 
 The work was conducted under the direction of Mr. Hoban, the architect, and 
 was prosecuted under the same difficulties which surrounded the Capitol. Mr. 
 Weld, an English traveler, writing in 1795, alludes to the building as the finest in 
 the country, and much extolled by the people ; stating that persons found fault with 
 it as being too large and too splendid for the residence of any person in a republican 
 country; and, to use his own words, 14 certainly it is a ridiculous habitation for a 
 man who receives a salary that amounts to no more than £5,625 per annum, and 
 in a country where the expenses of living are far greater than they are even in 
 London." 
 
 The first President to occupy the building was John Adams, who took possession 
 in Nov., 1800, after the removal of the public offices to the permanent Seat of Gov- 
 ernment. Previous to that time the Executive of the United States was without a 
 home owned by the nation. In New York and Philadelphia rented houses were 
 occupied. The building up to 1814 had cost $311,107. 
 
 The President's House was destroyed by the British in 1814. After the evacua- 
 tion the President occupied a fine residence on the corner of New York av. and 18th 
 
126 
 
 president's house. 
 
 st. NW., known as the "Octagon," and now used by the hydrographf?office of the 
 Navy Department. In 1815 Congress authorized the restoration of the Prestdent's 
 House, which was done by Hoban, the original architect. It was not agc*n ready, 
 however, till after 1818 In 1823 the S. portico, in 1826 the East Room, and in 
 1829 the N. portico were finished. Since that time the interior of the structure has 
 been subject to frequent renovations and repairs. It is entirely unsuitable, how- 
 ever, for the purposes to which it is now applied : executive offices and private res- 
 idence. Congress has now under consideration a proposition to erect a suitable and 
 exclusively private mansion in the suburbs of the capital for the residence of the 
 President's household, and the conversion of the present building into execu- 
 tive offices. The total appropriations for the erection and maintenance of the Pres- 
 ident's House from 1800 to date amounts to $1,700,000. 
 
 the president's house, 1840,— (from an old print.) 
 
 Presidents of the United States.— I, George Washington, 
 Va., 1789-1797 ; 2, John Adams, Mass., 1797-1801 ; 3, Thomas 
 Jefferson, Va., 1801-1809 ; 4, James Madison, Va., 1809-1817 ; 
 5, James Monroe, Va., 1817-1825; 6, John Qnincy Adams, 
 Mass., 1825-1829; 7, Andrew Jockson, Tenn., 1829-1837; 
 8, Martin Van Bnren, 1ST. Y., 1837-1841; 9, William Henry 
 Harrison, Ohio, 1841, 1 mo.; 10, John Tyler, Va., 1841- 
 1845; 11, James K. Polk, Tenn., 1845-1849; 12, Zachary 
 Taylor, La., 1849-1850; 13, Millard Fillmore, X. Y., 1850- 
 1853; 14, Franklin Pierce, N. H., 1853-1857; 15, James 
 Buchanan, Penn., 1857-1861; 1G, Abraham Lincoln, 111., 
 1861-1865; 17, Andrew Johnson, Tenn., 1865-1869; 18, 
 Ulysses S. Grant, 111., 1869-187-. 
 
president's house. 
 
 127 
 
 The Executive. — The executive power, under the Constitu- 
 tion of the United States, is vested in a President elected for 
 4 years, and a Vice President chosen for the same term. The 
 President is chosen by electors in each State, equal to the 
 whole number of Senators and Representatives of such State. 
 The electors are voted for by the people of the State. JSTo per- 
 son except a natural-born citizen of the United States, having 
 attained to the age of 35 years, is eligible to the office. The 
 Vice President, who is elected in the same manner, succeeds 
 in event of the removal, death, resignation, or incapacity of 
 the President. The third in the line of succession is fixed by 
 Congress. The executive has no powers except in conjunc- 
 tion with the legislative branch. The inauguration of a 
 President of the United States takes place on the 4th day of 
 March after his election ; or if the regular day comes on Sun- 
 day, then the day following. ISTo formal ceremony is required, 
 save to take the oath prescribed by the Constitution. Usage 
 has imposed upon the Chief Justice of the United States the 
 solemn duty of administering the oath. 
 
 DEPARTMENT OF STATE. 
 
 The Department of State, [open daily from 9J a. m. to 2J 
 p. m., except Thursdays, devoted exclusively to the diplomatic 
 corps, and Saturdays, during sessions of Congress, to members,) 
 occupies the S. pavilion of the imposing edifice, immedi- 
 ately W. of the President's House. 
 
 The Building: — This vast structure, erected for the 
 accommodation of the Departments of State, War and Navy, 
 designed by A. B. Mullett, Supervising Architect of the 
 Treasury, consists of three harmonious buildings united by 
 connecting wings, and together forming in design and exe- 
 cution, the finest edifice of the kind in the world. 
 
 The style is the Roman Doric (Italian Renaissance), 
 originally treated. It combines the massive proportions of 
 ancient with the elegance of modern architecture. The 
 dimensions from N. to S., including pavilion projections and 
 steps, are 567 ft., and from E. to W. 342 ft., or exclusive of 
 projections, 471 ft. N. and S. and 253 ft. E. and W. The 
 greatest height from the terrace level over all is 128 ft. 
 There is a sub-basement and basement of Maine granite, and 
 
128 
 
 DEPARTMENT OF STATE. 
 
 superstructure of Virginia granite, comprising four stories in 
 the pavilions of the N. and S. facades, and one in the roof, 
 and five stories and one in the roof in the E. and W. cen- 
 tre pavilions. The whole is crowned by an artistically de- 
 signed mansard roof. The building was commenced in 1871. 
 and the S. pavilion finished and occupied by the Depart- 
 ment of State in 1875. The entire structure has 150 
 rooms, and cost $5,000,000. 
 
 The building has four facades of equal importance, the N. 
 and S., and the E. and W. being respectively counterparts. 
 There are two courts into which there are four private car- 
 riage ways from the E. and W. The E. and VV. facades pre- 
 sent the appearance of a centre and two lateral wings. 
 The centre is connected with the N. and S. by tw T o wings. 
 There are four grand entrances by the N., S. and, E. W. centres 
 of the pavilions approached by massive flights of steps 
 through the projecting porticoes. The platforms are of im- 
 mense blocks of granite, weighing over 20 tons each. There 
 are four other entrances of less importance. The building 
 is absolutely fire-proof. All the stone was dressed in the 
 quarries. The sub-basement is devoted to storage, fur- 
 naces and engines, the basement to bindery, storage and 
 clerks' rooms. The remaining stories are divided into 
 splendid apartments, for the uses of the various bureaus of 
 the Department. 
 
 Objects of Interest : — A grand corridor traverses the building 
 from E. to W., and is intersected from the S. grand entrance by a spacious 
 hall. Opposite is a passenger elevator. On the left is an ante-room On 
 the second floor, S. side, over-looking the Potomac, is The Reception Room 
 (4 and 6), a sumptuous salon, open (when not in use) except on Thursdays; 
 decorated in the Germanized Egyptian style, in distemper with Marquetry 
 floor, and furnishings of ebonized wood and gold brocade. Here is a beautiful 
 silver Urn, presented by citizens of Philadelphia, in 1812, to Captain Isaac 
 Hull, of the U. S, frigate Constitution, for his victory over the British ship 
 Guerriere, August 19, 1812 ; also a brace of pistols and a gold-mounted sword, 
 to the same, from citizens of Connecticut. The room of the Secretary of State 
 (12), adjoining on the E , is chastely tinted. The rooms of the Assistant Secre- 
 taries and Chief Clerk are on the same range. The Diplomatic ante-room (1) 
 is also delicately tinted. On the third story, over the S. entrance, is the Li- 
 brary. The alcoves, arranged in four tiers, are entirely of iron. Over head is 
 a glass canopy. The library is the most complete and valuable, in works of 
 diplomacy, on this continent. 
 
 In the department are the original rolls of all the laws of the United States 
 and the Diplomatic and Consular archives, including treaties, from the foun- 
 dation of the Government. There are also othe r documents of historic value, 
 principally the original drafts of the old Revolutionary documents, the Federal 
 Constitution, Washington s Commission as Commander-in-Chief of the Ameri- 
 can troops during the Revolution, and the Andre papers. The day before the 
 occupation of the city by the British, John Graham, Stephen Pleasanton and 
 Josiah King, clerks in the department, carried these, with many other valuable 
 documents, to a place of safety across the Potomac. The treaties and other 
 records are preserved in the room of the Keeper of Rolls. Until 1873 the more 
 interesting treaties were shown to the public, but the valuable seals of some of 
 
130 
 
 DEPARTMENT UF STATE. 
 
 them having been stolen by a subordinate of the depat ^ment, they have since 
 been placed away for gre-ater security The files of American Newspapers* 
 from 1 781, are the most extensive and complete in existence. 
 
 The columns, pilasters, casings and beams in the corridors are of iron, the 
 doors throughout are of Honduras Mahogany. The spacious stairways at 
 either end of the corridors are of granite, with exquisite bronze balusters ; over 
 head is a ..tucco canopy. There is an electric clock on each floor. The floors 
 are of white Vermont and black Pennsylvania marbles. 
 
 Secretaries 0/ State — 1789, Thomas Jefferson, Va.; 1794, Edmund Ran- 
 dolph, Va.; 1795, Timothy Pickering, Mass.; 1800, John Marshall, Va.; 1801, 
 James Madison, Va.; 1809, Robert Smith, Md.; 1811, James Monroe, Va.; 
 1817, John Q. Adams, Mass.; 1825, Henry Clay Ky.; 1829, Martin Van Buren, 
 N. Y.; 1831, Edward Livingston, La.; 1833, Louis McLane, Del.; 1834, John 
 Forsyth, Ga.: 1841, Daniel Webster, Mass.; 1843, Hugh S. Legare, S. C; 1843, 
 
 A. P. Upshur, Va.; 1844, J onn Nelson, Md.; 1844, J. C. Calhoun. S. C; 1845, 
 James Buchanan, Penn.; 1849, J- M; Clayton, Del.; 1850, Daniel Webster, 
 Mass.; 1852, Edward Everett, Mass.; 1853, W. L. Marcy, N. Y.; 1857, Lewis 
 Cass, Mich.; i860 Jer. S. Black, Penn.; 1861, W. H. Seward, N. Y.; 1869, E. 
 
 B. Washburne, 111.; 1869, Hamilton Fish, N. Y. 
 
 History of the Department. — Before the adoption of- the Constitji- 
 tion of the United States the ' Department of Foreign Affairs" was under the 
 direction of an officer styled u Secretary to the United States of America for tile 
 Department of Foreign Affairs," who was required to " reside where Congress or 
 a committee of the States should sit," and held his office during the pleasure pi 
 Congress. On July 27, 1789, after the adoption of the Constitution, the office 
 was created an executive department, to be known as the Department of For- 
 eign Affairs, and the head as the 14 Secretary for the Department of Foreign 
 Affairs." On September 15, 1789, the name was changed to Department jot 
 State, and the chief officer designated Secretary 0/ State. The Secretary -is 
 ex officio a member of the Cabinet of the President of the United States, and 
 carries out his instructions, "agreeable to the Constitution," in all matters re- 
 lating to diplomatic intercourse with foreign nations. Under this general pro- 
 vision he is specially charged with the negotiation of all treaties with foreign 
 Powers, and conducts all official correspondence with the diplomatic repre- 
 sentatives of foreign governments resident in the United States, and with the 
 diplomatic officers and consuls of the United States abroad, and grants pass- 
 ports to citizens ot the United States leaving the country. He is the custodian 
 of the seal of the United States, being governed in its use by the orders of the 
 President. He also prepares and attests the commissions granted to all officers 
 confirmed by the Senate, and superintends the publication of all acts and reso- 
 lutions of Congress, and foreign and Indian treaties, and preserves the originals 
 of the same. 
 
TREASURY DEPARTMENT. 
 
 131 
 
 TREASURY DEPARTMENT. 
 
 The Treasury Department (open to the public daily, except 
 Sunday, from 9 a. m. to 2 p. m.) lies E. of the President's 
 House, on the line of 15th St., and may be reached from the 
 E. or W. by the Pennsylvania-av. line of street cars. 
 
 Description of the Building.— The general plan of the 
 building measures 468 ft. from to S.. and 264 ft. from E. 
 to W., or, inclusive of porticos and steps, 582 ft. by 300 ft. 
 The order is pure Grecian Ionic, the columns and pilasters 
 running through three stories, above which is an attic, and 
 below two stories in a basement, the lower one of rustic 
 work. The sky-line of the entire building is surmounted by 
 a stone balustrade. The building has four fronts. The W., 
 which faces the city, consists of a colonnade 336 ft. long and 
 30 Ionic columns, flanked on either side by a recessed portico. 
 The colonnade and corresponding portion are of Virginia 
 freestone. 
 
 The rest of the entire structure is granite, from Dix island, 
 on the coast of Maine. The E. front, facing the President's 
 House, is broken by a grand central portico, consisting of 8 
 monolithic pillars front, and 2 in the recess in the centre, 
 and the same in the recesses on either side. This portico is 
 reached by a broad flight of steps. At either end, on the same 
 line, are two small porticos, corresponding with those on the 
 W. side. The £T. and S. fronts are the same, consisting of a 
 central portico with 8 columns front, and 2 in the recess. 
 Steps descend to a broad tessellated platform, bounded on 
 either side by a balustrade. The platform on the N". front is 
 below the level of the avenue. A beautiful fountain adds to 
 the attractions of this front. On the S. the same platform 
 stands a few feet above the level, which gives a very impos- 
 ing effect. The shafts of all the columns in the extension 
 are monolithic, 31J ft. high, 4 ft. in diameter, and weigh 33 
 tons. The pilasters are also single blocks of the same height, 
 and weigh 6 tons. The cap-stones of the blockings, against 
 which the steps abut, measure each 18 ft. Xl7 ft.x20 in., and 
 weigh 43 tons. The sills, piers, and cornice are of very fine 
 design and workmanship. On the E., N"., and S., on either 
 side of the steps and platforms, are beautiful parterres, in 
 summer filled with flowers and ornamental shrubs. The 
 building has 4 principal entrances on a line with the order, 
 and 3 in the basement on the W. front. The interior arrange- 
 ment of the plan consists of 2 hollow squares, separated by a 
 wing 57 ft. wide, and, exclusive of the main building, 120 ft. 
 
132 
 
 TREASURY DEPARTMENT. 
 
 deep, projecting W. These squares measure each 138 ft. by 
 123 ft. The old portion of the present building, erected part- 
 ly on the same site after the destruction of its predecessor, 
 the S. E. executive building, in March, 1833, was designed 
 
 — 1 styl 
 
 the Temple of Minerva Pallas at Athens. In order to secure 
 a uniformity of fronts, it is proposed to take down the colon- 
 nade on the YV. and replace it with a facade corresponding 
 with that on the E. This would necessitate the acquisition 
 of a portion of the square opposite. In 1855 the extension 
 was designed by Walter, and begun by Young, continued 
 by Eogcrs, and finished by Mullett. The W. entrance is 
 reached by a double flight of steps, into a vestibule formed 
 of 6 Doric columns, supporting groined arches. In the cen- 
 tre is the main corridor, dividing the building into two parts, 
 and leading to the E. vestibule and entrance. On the r. and 
 
 
 
 
 
 i 
 
 lifflB 
 
 HI 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 TREASURY DEPARTMENT. 
 
 1. are corridors to the wings. A double stairway to the base- 
 ment and the upper stories springs from this vestibule. There 
 are also stairways in each angle and opposite the E. entrance. 
 The vestibules of the 1ST. and TV. entrances are chastely de- 
 signed, supported on iron columns. The corridors of the 
 extension are broken by iron pilasters, and the capitals, cor- 
 nice, and ceilings are ornamented with emblematic designs. 
 The entrance on the S. front opens directty into the S. corri- 
 dor. The building contains 195 rooms, in addition to those in 
 
TREASURY DEPARTMENT. 
 
 133 
 
 the sab-basement devoted to heating apparatus, shops, and 
 store-rooms, and the attic, occupied by the Bureau of Engrav- 
 ing and Printing. Cost, $6, 000,000. 
 
 The Secretaries room is on the second floor, W. corridor, a 
 little S. of the central corridor, name over the door. The ob- 
 jects of special interest in the building are the Cash Room and 
 the Vaults. The business entrance to the Cash Room is on the 
 first floor, IS", corridor, reached from the W. door, turning to 
 the r„ or from the vestibule of the N. entrance. The public 
 should view the room from the balcony, entered by a door on 
 the S. side of the IS", corridor on the second floor. The par- 
 ticular features of the room are the walls, which are of highly 
 polished marbles of various varieties. List of marbles: Low- 
 er Story — stylobate, base, black, Vermont ; mouldings, 
 Bardiglio, Italian : stiles, dove, Vermont ; panels, Sienna, 
 Italian; dies, Tennessee. Above stylobate, pilasters 
 and panel beads, white veined ; stiles, Sienna, Italian ; panels, 
 Bardiglio, Italian ; cornice, white-veined, Italian. Upper 
 Story — stylobate same as lower. Above stylobate as in 
 lower story, except the panels, which are Sarrangolum mar- 
 ble from the Pyrenees. 
 
 The vaults, in which the current funds of the Government 
 are kept, may be seen on a written permit from the Treasurer 
 of the United States, whose office is in the NE. angle of the 
 building, first floor. This permit should be delivered to the 
 Cashier, who occupies the room entered by the first door W. 
 of the entrance to the General Cash Room. The vaults are 
 of steel and chilled iron, about 20 by 15 ft. Another of the 
 same capacity is overhead. The amount usually in the vault 
 is about $1 0,000,000, including gold coin. The money is kept 
 in packages or bags in the wooden cases. Near the door of the 
 vault is an elevator, used for conveying money between the 
 vaults above and the express office immediately below. As 
 much as $5,000,000 have been shipped to the different sub- 
 treasuries in a single day. The vault in which the national 
 bank bonds are kept is on the same floor, near by. It may be 
 seen in the same manner as that just mentioned, the permit 
 being delivered to the Chief of the Division of National 
 Banks, whose office is in the NW. angle of the building. In 
 the basement are two reserve vaults, not open to visitors at all. 
 
 On the r. side of the W. corridor, after leaving the Cash 
 Room, the operation of counting the currency may be seen 
 through any of the doorways. None but employees are per- 
 mitted to enter. The counting is done entirely by lady 
 clerks. The facility and accuracy with which their nimble 
 fingers accomplish the work are not only marvelous, but 
 extremely creditable to their skill. It may also be said, with 
 
134 
 
 TREASURY DEPARTMENT. 
 
 respect to this class of employees of the Government, that 
 they possess many qualifications of a very superior character. 
 
 In the rooms of the Redemption Division, in the N. corri- 
 dor of the basement, the currency unfit for circulation, and 
 received from all parts of the country, is counted and can- 
 celled previous to being burned. The routine observed from 
 the receipt of the money from the express company till its 
 final destruction is extremely interesting. The cancelling is 
 done by a machine run by means of a turbine wheel. In or- 
 der to witness the operation, it will be necessary to obtain a 
 permit from the Treasurer, the same as for a visit to the vaults. 
 
 The Bureaus of the Treasury Department proper are Ap- 
 pointment, Warrant, Independent Treasury, Customs, Rev- 
 enue Marine, Navigation, Internal Revenue, Stationery, 
 Captured and Abandoned Property, Special Agent, Super- 
 vising Architect, Marine Hospital, Supervising Inspector 
 General of Steamboats, Statistics, Mint, Mail. Records and 
 Files, Loans, Currency, Engraving and Printing, Light- 
 House Board, Comptrollers, Commissioner of Customs, 
 Auditors, Treasurer's Office, Register's Office, Comptroller 
 of the Currency, and Commissioner of Internal Revenue. 
 The service outside of the Department consists of the Inde- 
 pendent Treasury, Mints, Assay Offices, Depositories, Cus- 
 toms, Internal Revenue, Life-saving Station, Light House, 
 Marine Hospital, Revenue Marine, Special Agents and Com- 
 missioners, Steamboat Inspection, and Coast Survey. 
 
 The Bureau of Engraving and Printing is in the attic, at 
 the head of the 1. flight of steps leading up from the W. en- 
 trance. Visitors are admitted on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 
 from 9.30 to 10.30 a. in., by order of the Secretary of the 
 Treasury, in the discretion of the Superintendent of the 
 Bureau. In these rooms are presses and other machin- 
 ery for the final printing on United States bonds and other 
 securities and notes, fractional currency, and internal reve- 
 nue stamps. The preliminaiy printing, as the backs, is done 
 outside. The engraving for the final printing is also done in 
 the bureau. About 500 men and women are employed. A 
 100-horse-power engine runs the machinery. The paper is 
 counted as issued, and no employee is permitted to leave till 
 all the sheets are returned to the officer in charge of their 
 custody. 
 
 Photograph Office. — Opposite the S. entrance is the build- 
 ing occupied by the Photographer of the Treasury Depart- 
 ment. Herefac similes of accounts for verification by agents 
 sent throughout the country or abroad, and plans and eleva- 
 tions of public buildings, are made by means of photography. 
 This work is carried on on a large scale. 
 
TREASURY DEPARTMENT. 
 
 135 
 
 Coast Survey. — This important office occupies a private 
 building, erected, however, for its use, in 1871, on New Jer- 
 sey av., SE. of the Capitol, between B and C sts., W. side. 
 The object of the service is the survey of the coasts of the 
 United States on tide water. Its operations commenced in 
 1807, but its permanent organization was not effected till 1833. 
 In the building are preserved the original records and charts, 
 topographical and hydrographic, from the beginning. The 
 Standards of Weights and Measures are also kept here, and 
 are under the control of the Superintendent of the Coast Sur- 
 vey. From these the standards are furnished to the States. 
 The balance for heavy weights is a line specimen of workman- 
 ship, and took the premium at the World's Fair at London. 
 There is also a set of French weights and measures, presented 
 to the United States. These interesting objects are not on 
 general exhibition. Gentlemen of science, or others having 
 a special purpose in view, may see them on application to the 
 Superintendent. 
 
 Secretaries of the Treasury. — 1789, Alexander Hamilton, 
 N. Y. ; 1795, Oliver Wolcott,' Jr., Conn.; 1801, Samuel Dex- 
 ter, Mass. ; 1801, Albert Gallatin, Penn.; 1814, G. W. Camp- 
 bell, Tenn. ; 1814, A. J. Dallas, Penn. ; 1816, W. H. Craw- 
 ford, Ga. ; 1825, Richard Rush, Penn.; 1829, S. D. Ingham, 
 Penn. ; 1831, Louis McLane, Del. ; 1833, W. J. Duane, Penn.; 
 1833, Roger B. Taney, Md.; 1834, Levi Woodbury, N. H. ; 
 1841, Thomas E wing, Ohio ; 1841, W. Forward, Penn. ; 1843, 
 J. C. Spencer, Y. ; 1844, G. M. Bibb, Ky. ; 3845, R. J. 
 Walker, Miss. ; 1849, W. M. Meredith, Penn.; 1850, Thomas 
 Corwin, Ohio ; 1853, James Guthrie, Kv. ; 1857, Howell Cobb, 
 Ga. ; 1860, P. F. Thomas, Md. ; 1861, J. A. Dix, N. Y. ; 1861, 
 S. P. Chase, Ohio; 1864, W. P. Fessenclen, Me.; 1865, H. 
 McCulloch, Ind.; 1869, G. S. Boutwell, Mass.; 1873, W. A. 
 Richardson, Mass.; 1874, B. H. Bristow, Ky. 
 
 The 44 Department of the Treasury" was organized under 
 act of Congress of September 2, 1789, with a Secretary of the 
 Treasury as the chief officer, who is also ex officio a member 
 of the President's Cabinet. It was the duty of the Secretary 
 to manage the business pertaining to the revenue and the 
 support of the public credit, to make estimates of revenues 
 and expenditures, to collect the revenue, to decide the form 
 of keeping and stating accounts and making returns, to grant 
 warrants for moneys authorized by law, to execute such ser- 
 vices relative to the sale of public lands as were required of 
 him by law, to communicate information to Congress, and 
 generally to perform all services relative to the finances. In 
 1800 the Secretary was required to submit, at the commence- 
 
136 WAR DEPARTMENT. 
 
 ment of every session, a report on the finances of the Gov- 
 ernment, with estimates of revenue and expenditures. Under 
 the act of 1789 it was the duty of the Treasurer of the United 
 States to receive and keep the moneys of the United States 
 and to disburse the same upon warrants drawn by the Secre- 
 tary of the Treasury, countersigned by the Comptroller, and 
 recorded by the Register. 
 
 WAR DEPARTMENT. 
 
 The War Department (open every day, Sunday excepted^ 
 from 9 a. m. to 3 p. m.) lies W. of the President's House, and 
 fronts on Pennsylvania av. In former days it was known as 
 the NW. Executive Building. It will be taken down to give 
 place to the new department now being erected. The Sec- 
 retary's office is at the E. end of the corridor on the second 
 floor. Here may be seen a gallery of portraits of the Secre- 
 taries of War, by various artists, among whom are Sully, 
 Healy,Weir, Huntingdon, Brackett, Young, Ulke, and Thorpe. 
 Portrait of Calhoun is an original, by Sully, and is very superior. 
 It was taken from sittings. The rest are copies. The Head- 
 quarters of the General of the Army, removed to St. Louis 1874, 
 
 WAR DEPARTMENT. 
 
 were on the r., inside of the E. entrance. There are many 
 objects of interest, including rare manuscripts, in the depart- 
 ment ; but not in a condition to be seen. It is intended to 
 
WAR DEPARTMENT. 
 
 137 
 
 set apart a room for their exhibition in the new building. The 
 Arsenal and Medical and Ordnance Museums, the latter in 
 Winder's building, will be found elsewhere. In rented build- 
 ings are the Signal Office and Flag Room. The latter occupies 
 the first floor of a small building JNo. 616 W. side of 17th st., 
 opposite the War Department, {open from 9 a. m. to 3 p. m. 
 daily, except Sunday. In one room are the United States 
 and State flags taken from the national forces and recovered 
 upon the capture of Richmond. In the back room are the 
 captured Confederate flags. The y represent every State. 
 Some are associated with interesting historic incidents, others 
 are curious and novel. 
 
 Signal Office. — (Open every day, except Sunday, from 9 a. 
 in. to 3 p. m.) The Chief Signal Officer of the Army, under 
 whose direction the national weather observations are made, 
 occupies two contiguous brick buildings on the side of Gi- 
 st., W. of the War Department. The stranger in the city, 
 upon reaching the head of the street, cannot fail to notice 
 them by a variety of anemometers of divers sizes, and an- 
 emoscopes or vanes projecting above the roof. A number 
 of converging electric wires may be seen entering the build- 
 ing, some communicating with self-registering instruments 
 or connecting the telegraphic department of the office with 
 the different stations in all parts of the country through the 
 lines of the general telegraphic companies. 
 
 The entrance for visitors is by the door Jfo.. 1719. They 
 ascend to the instrument room in the fourth story. The 
 chief interest centres in the Instrument Boom, where may be 
 examined the apparatus employed in the various meteoro- 
 logical observations. These instruments are of the most ap- 
 proved patterns, including the barometer, to show the atmos- 
 pheric pressure and to indicate the passage of storms ; the 
 thermometer, mercurial and spirit, for indicating the tem- 
 perature of the air ; the hygrometer, to show the humidity 
 of the air; one maximum and one minimum thermometer, 
 to indicate the highest and lowest temperature; the anem- 
 ometer, for obtaining the velocity of the wind; the wind 
 vane, or anemoscope, for indicating the direction of the wind ; 
 and the rain gauge, for noting the rain-fall. 
 
 The roof of the building is devoted to the instruments and 
 apparatus requiring open exposure to the weather, such as 
 rain-gauges, wind-vanes, and anemometers. A shelter also 
 projects from a window on the IN"., designed with special 
 reference to the comparison of thermometers and other in- 
 struments in an equal temperature. In addition to these 
 instruments of common use, there is a complete set of self- 
 
138 
 
 WAR DEPARTMENT. 
 
 recording and photographic meteorological instruments, ope- 
 rated by means of clock-work and electric batteries. There 
 are also two cases containing a " panorama of the clouds," 
 illustrating the different kind of clouds, showing the trans- 
 formation of each type of clouds into its derivative. It also 
 shows meteoric effects, especially the localization of clouds 
 about the crest of peaks or on the summits of loftier moun- 
 tain ranges. There are also other instruments of general use, 
 though not part of meterological science. Among these are 
 a pentagraph, for transferring and reducing isobarometric 
 and isothermal curves from paper to zinc ; a self-registering 
 instrument for showing the rise and fall of rivers, and a 
 terrestrial globe. 
 
 In addition to the report of the meteoric condition of the 
 United States, the office also receives the height of the vari- 
 ous navigable rivers. The data thus collected is published 
 throughout the country in the newspapers and at 4,491 post 
 offices, in synopses and probabilities and weather maps. Cau- 
 tionary signals are displayed at sea and lake ports for the ben- 
 efit of vessels. A line of telegraphic wires connects the life- 
 saving stations, by means of which cautionary signals are dis- 
 played along the coast, thus warning small craft in time to 
 seek shelter on the approach of a storm. In 1873 home re- 
 ports were received from 78 stations, from Maine to Texas, 
 and from the Atlantic to the Pacific ; also from 11 stations 
 in Canada and 3 in the West Indies. 
 
 All observations are made synchronously at the different 
 stations at the exact hours of 7.35 a. m., 4.35 p. m., and 11.35 
 p.m., Washington time. All reports are received and results 
 distributed, except to post offices, over the lines of the prin- 
 cipal telegraphic companies. 
 
 The instruction of the army in military signaling and tele- 
 graphy, and for supplying it with the necessary apparatus, 
 previously conducted on an experimental basis, since 1870 
 has b^en prosecuted with a degree of success which promises 
 to materially simplify the difficulty of moving large bodies of 
 troops or fleets of vessels, and to constitute an essential ele- 
 ment of tactical operations, whether on the march or in bat- 
 tle. Signal schools of instruction have been established. 
 
 The successful and responsible organization of a military 
 signal corps has led to a further extension of the service to a 
 uniform course of instruction to apply to the army and navy 
 and marines. 
 
 On February 9, 1870, these satisfactory results in the orig- 
 inal duty contemplated for the signal corps were supplement- 
 ed by diverting the practiced skill of its officers and men into 
 a still wider field of operations. 
 
9 
 
 WAR DEPARTMENT. 139 
 
 To meet the additional'duty, the labor of the Signal Bureau 
 was distributed under two distinct heads. First, the Division 
 of Signals Proper, to embrace the system of military signals 
 and telegraphy, and to have charge of the instruction of offi- 
 cers and men of any branch of the service designated for that 
 duty. Second, the Division of Telegrams and Reports for the 
 Benefit of Commerce. The organization of this new and novel 
 service, in accordance with general orders, was immediately 
 commenced by Col. Albert J. Myer, Brevet Brigadier General 
 and Chief Signal Offieer of the Army. 
 
 The stations are divided into two classes: First, stations of 
 observation and report, and to which all reports of observa- 
 tions elsewhere made are forwarded. Second, stations of re- 
 port alone, or those at which observations elsewhere made 
 are reported. 
 
 On Nov. 1, 1870, the preliminary arrangements having been 
 perfected at 7.35 a. m., the first systematized synchronous me- 
 teoric reports ever taken in the United States were read from 
 the instruments by the observer sergeants of the signal ser- 
 vice at 24 stations, and placed upon the telegraphic wires for 
 transmission. A further extension of the utility of the ser- 
 vice was made in Oct., 1871, after a series of satisfactory ex- 
 periments, by the display of cautionary signals at ports on the 
 Atlantic and the Gulf coast and the northern lakes. The 
 sphere of usefulness of this important service is annually 
 extended. 
 
 Secretaries of War. — 1789, Henry Knox, Mass.; 1795, 
 Timothy Pickering, Mass. ; 1796, James McHenry, Md. ; 
 
 1800, Samuel Dexter, Mass. ; 1801, Koger Griswold, Conn. ; 
 
 1801, Henry Dearborn, Mass. ; 1809, William Eustis, Mass. ; 
 1813, John Armstrong, Y. ; 1814, James Monroe, Va. ; 
 1815, W. H. Crawford^Ga. ; 1817, J. C. Calhoun, S. C. ; 1825, 
 James Barbour, Va. ; 1828, P. B. Porter, TST. Y. ; 1829, J. H. 
 Eaton, Tenn. ; 1831, Lewis Cass, Mich. ; 1837, Joel R. Poin- 
 sett, S. C. ; 1841, John Bell, Tenn. ; 1841, J. C. Spencer, N. 
 Y. ; 1844, W. Wilkins, Penn. ; 1845, W. L. Marcy, N. Y. ; 
 1849, G. W. Crawford, Ga. ; 1850, Gen. Winfielcl Scott, ad 
 in., Army; 1850, C. M. Conrad, La. ; 1853, Jefferson Davis, 
 Miss.; 1857, J. B. Floyd, Ya. ; 1860, J. Holt, Ky. ; 1861, 
 Simon Cameron, Penn.; 1862, E. M. Stanton, Ohio; 1867, 
 Gen. U. S. Grant, ad in., Army ; 1868, Adj. Gen. L. Thomas, 
 ad in., Army ; 1868, J. M. Schoiield, 111. ; 1869, J. A. Raw- 
 lins, 111.; 1869, Gen. W.T. Sherman, p. t., Army; 1869, W. 
 W. Belknap, Io. 
 
 Prior to 1789, under an ordinance for ascertaining the pow- 
 ers and duties of the Secretary of War, that officer was charged 
 
140 
 
 NAVY DEPARTMENT. 
 
 with the direct management of the military amiirs of Con- 
 gress, required to report to Congress the condition of the 
 army and military stores and supplies, and to keep returns ; 
 to make all military estimates ; to direct the operations of 
 troops in the service, subject to the orders of Congress or the 
 committees of the States ; to appoint and remove at pleasure 
 all persons under him, being responsible to Congress for their 
 conduct. The office was created an executive department by 
 the act of Congress August 7, 1789, to be known as the De- 
 partment of War, and the chief officer as Secretary for the 
 Department of War. He was required to execute the orders 
 of the President of the United States, u agreeably to the 
 Constitution," in all matters respecting military or naval af- 
 fairs, to the granting of lands to persons entitled to the same 
 for military services rendered to the United States, and rela- 
 tive to Indian affairs. September 29, 1789, the military es- 
 tablishment of 1787 was adapted to the Constitution. The 
 early powers of the Secretary of War, by subsequent enact- 
 ment, have been restricted to the exercise, under the direc- 
 tion of the President, of jurisdiction over the military service 
 only. The Secretary of War is ex officio a member of the 
 Cabinet. 
 
 NAVY DEPARTMENT. 
 
 This department (opera every day, except Sunday, from 9 a. 
 m. to 3 p. m.) lies W. of the President's House, and* was for- 
 merly designated the S W. Executive Building. This structure 
 will shortly be taken down, to make space for the new depart- 
 ment now being erected. The original building faced S. A 
 wing erected in 1861 now projects instead. Tne Secretary's 
 office is at the S. end of the corridor on the second lloor. The 
 Admiral's office is at his residence, 1710 H st. NW. The Na- 
 val Observatory, Navy-yard, and Marine Barracks will be 
 described under their appropriate heads. The Hydro graphic 
 office, NE. corner of 18th st. and New York av. NW., occu- 
 pies a rented building called the "Octagon," the residence of 
 the President of the United States till the restoration of the 
 President's House after the occupation of the city in 1814. 
 The Hydrographic office was established in 1866, and is a 
 branch of the Bureau of Navigation. Its objects are the col- 
 lection of hydrographic information, preparation of sailing 
 directions, the collection of charts, the engraving and print- 
 
NAVY DEPARTMENT. 
 
 141 
 
 ing of new ones, and the revision of old ; also the care of all 
 instruments except chronometers and compasses. 
 
 Nautical Almanac Office — This branch of the Bureau of 
 Navigation occupies a rented building, No. 807 22d st. NW. 
 Was started at Cambridge, Mass., under an act of Congress, 
 1849. In 1S66 it was remove 1 to Washington. The object 
 is the computation of astronomical tables for the use of the 
 Naval Observatory and Navy. A set of tables is also printed 
 for the merchant service, giving longitude of Washington and 
 Greenwich. Under the act of 1850 the meridian of the Na- 
 val Observatory was adopted as the American meridian for 
 astronomical and that of Greenwich for nautical purposes. 
 The almanac is prepared three years in advance. There is a 
 fine astronomical library connected with the office. 
 
 Secretaries of the Navy. — 1789, Henry Knox, Mass. ; 1794. 
 Timothy Pickering, Penn.; 1796, James McHenry, Md. ; 1798, 
 Benjamin Stodclert, Md. ; 1802, Robert Smith, Md.; 1805, 
 Jacob Crowninshield, Mass.; 1809, Paul Hamilton, S. C; 
 1813, William Jones, Penn.; 1814, B. W. Crowninshield, 
 Mass. ; 1818, Smith Thompson, N. Y. ; 1823, S. L. Southard, 
 N. J. ; 1829. John Branch, N. C. ; 1831, Levi Woodbury, N. 
 H. ; 1834, Mahlon Dickerson, N. J. ; 1838, J. K. Paulding, N. 
 Y.; 1841, G. E. Badger, N.C.; 1841, A.P.Upshur, Ya.;1844, 
 T. W. Gilmer, Ya. ; 1844, J. Y. Mason, Ya. ; 1845, George 
 Bancroft, Mass. ; 1846, John Y. Mason, Ya. ; 1849, W. B. 
 Preston, Ya. ; 1850, W. A. Graham, N. C. ; 1852, J. P. Ken- 
 nedy, Md. ; 1853, J. C. Dobbin, N. C. ; 1857, Isaac Toucey, 
 Conn. ; 1861, Gideon Welles, Conn.; 1869, A.E. Borie, Penn.: 
 1869, G. M. Robeson, N. J. 
 
 The naval service, previously under the direction of the 
 Secretary of War, in April, 1798, was assigned to an execu- 
 tive department created for the purpose, and designated the 
 Department of the Navy, the chief officer of which was to be 
 called the Secretary of the Navy. His duties were to execute 
 the orders of the President of the United States in all matters 
 connected with the naval establishment of the United States. 
 During the same year the Marine Corps was organized, as an 
 adjunct to the naval establishment. 
 
 In 1862 the department was reorganized by the division of 
 its duties into eight bureaus, viz, Ordnance, Equipment and 
 Recruiting, Yards and Docks, Navigation, Medicine and Sur- 
 gery, Provisions and Clothing, Steam Engineering, and Con- 
 struction and Repair. 
 
 The Secretary of the Navy is ex officio a member of the 
 Cabinet of the President of the United States. 
 
U2 
 
 DEPARTMENT OF TUE INTERIOR. 
 
 DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 
 
 This important department (open ever?/ clay, except Sun- 
 day, from 9 a. m. to 3 p. m.) occupies rooms on the N". cor- 
 ridor, main floor, of the vast structure known as the Patent 
 Office. The Secretary of the Interior is charged with the 
 administration of affairs relating to patents, public lands, 
 pensions, Indians, census, education, and the beneficiary 
 asylums in the District of Columbia belonging to the Gov- 
 ernment. He is invested with the powers, prior to the act of 
 1873, exercised by the Secretary of State over the Territories 
 of the United States, and also has supervisory control over 
 the architect of the Capitol. The office of the Secretary is 
 on the N. corridor, near the SHE. corner of the building. In 
 the Secretary's office are photographs of the Secretaries of 
 the Interior. In the Chief Clerk's room, adjoining on the 
 E., are portraits of Thomas Ewing and Caleb B. Smith, for- 
 mer Secretaries, by Stanley. 
 
 For description of the building, see Patent Office. 
 
 Indian Office. — There are frequently delegations of Indians 
 at the National Capital, brought here in connection with 
 negotiations or business under treaties. The councils are 
 held in the office of the Secretary of the Interior or Commis- 
 sioner, in the 1ST. corridor. On these occasions the red sons 
 of the forest meet the representatives of the u Great Father," 
 and negotiations are conducted in great form and ceremony, 
 only lacking the wild surroundings of the savage country. 
 
 Bureau of Education. — (Open every day, except Sunday, 
 from 9 a. m. to 3p. m.) — The Bureau of Education occupies 
 a rented building on the KE. corner of G and 8th sts. NW., 
 opposite the E. part of the 1ST. facade of the Patent Office. 
 There is a fine library of educational works, and other objects 
 of interest in the building. 
 
 The fathers of the Republic recognized education as among 
 the leading elements of prosperity and success. It was not, 
 however, till long after the Constitution was established that 
 the Government gave the subject a national recognition. In 
 response to the growing sentiment in favor of public educa- 
 tion, in 1832 Congress passed an act giving, in connection 
 with a division of the proceeds of land sales, 12 J per cent, to 
 certain States for educational purposes. This was vetoed by 
 Jackson. In 1837 Congress authorized the deposit with the 
 different States, in proportion to their representation, of mil- 
 lions of the surplus funds in the Treasury for safe keeping 
 
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 143 
 
 and repayment when required. The income of this in a 
 large number of the States was set apart for school purposes. 
 Subsequently the acts admitting Oregon and Minnesota and 
 other new States added to the 16th the 36th section of land 
 in each township for school purposes. 
 
 In 1862 followed the grants for colleges of agriculture and 
 the mechanic arts. Taken in connection with previous acts of 
 liberality for the same purpose, the total of land grants in the 
 interest of education amounted to 78,576,794 acres. If ex- 
 tended to the eleven Territories when admitted to the Union, 
 the aggregate will reach the magnificent endowment of 
 79,566,794 acres, or 124,323 square miles. This area of terri- 
 tory is greater than that of the whole of the British Isles, and 
 over half the area of Imperial Germany or France. Or, valued 
 at the Government price of $1 25 per acre, makes a donation 
 of 899,458,492 50. All the nations in Christendom put to- 
 gether have not done so much for the education and future 
 happiness of their people. The idea of using the public do- 
 main for educational purposes is not modern. In 1823 it was 
 a subject of inquiry in the House of ^Representatives, the 
 proposition being to set apart a portion of this income to be 
 distributed for the promotion of education in the several 
 States. In 1824 a resolution was submitted in the same 
 House to the effect that all money received from these sales 
 ought to be appropriated exclusively for the support of com- 
 mon schools and the construction of roads and canals. In 
 1826 Mr. Dickinson in the Senate reported a similar resolu- 
 tion, but without success. Out of the aid later afforded sprung 
 the common-school system of the interior NW. 
 
 On March 2, 1867, Congress created a Department of Edu- 
 cation, for the purpose of collecting such statistics and facts 
 as show the condition and progress of education in the several 
 States and Territories, and of diffusing such information re- 
 specting the organization and management of schools and 
 school systems and methods of teaching as may aid the people 
 of the United States in the establishment and maintenance 
 of efficient schools, and of otherwise promoting the cause 
 of education throughout the country. The management of 
 the department was intrusted to a Commissioner appointed 
 by the President and confirmed by the Senate. 
 
 The Commissioner was required to report annually to Con- 
 gress the results of his investigations and labors, together 
 with a statement of such facts and recommendations as would 
 in his judgment subserve the purposes for which the depart- 
 ment was established. The next year Congress reduced the 
 department to a bureau, to be called the u Office of Educa- 
 tion," under the directions of the Secretary of the Interior. 
 
144 
 
 DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 
 
 Survey of the Territories.— -Office W. corner of Pennsyl- 
 vania av. and 11th st. NW., second floor, entrance outside, on 
 11th st. (open every day, except Sunday, from 9 a. m. to 3^>. 
 m.) Here will be found a complete and Interesting collec- 
 tion of photographs of the wonders of the unknown West, by 
 W. H. Jackson, and taken dining the various expeditions con- 
 ducted under the command and scientific direction of Dr. F. 
 V. Hayden and business management of Captain James Ste- 
 venson, his associate. The collection includes the Yellow- 
 stone region, Utah. Wyoming, and Colorado, and 1,000 neg- 
 atives illustrative of Indians and Indian life. Also, sketches 
 by W. H. Holmes, and maps by J. T. Gardner. The United 
 States geological surveys of the Territories, Dr. F. V. Hayden 
 in charge, inaugurated in 1867, under the Department of the 
 Interior, have been continued from year to year by annual 
 appropriations, and have constituted not only a most inter- 
 esting and valuable but important national undertaking. 
 These, surveys have covered Nebraska, Kansas, Colorado, 
 New Mexico, Wyoming, Montana, and Utah. The Great 
 Geyser basin and other wonders of the Yellowstone region, 
 and the sublime mountain area of Colorado, were first brought 
 within the range of geographical science by these expeditions. 
 The publications of these surveys are received with satisfac- 
 tion bv scientific men and societies in America and Europe, 
 and embrace a vast amount of scientific material and prac- 
 tical information fresh from the vast regions hitherto appro- 
 priately termed the unknown West. 
 
 Secretaries of the Interior. — 1849, Thomas Ewing, Ohio; 
 1850, Thos. M. T. McKenna, Penna. ; 1850, A. H. H. Stuar, 
 Va.; 1853, Kobert McClelland, Mich.; 1857, J. Thompson, 
 Miss.; 1861, C. B. Smith, Ind. ; 1863, J. P. Usher, Ind. ; 
 1865, James Harlan, Io. ; 1866, O. H. Browning, Ills. ; 1869, 
 J. D. Cox, Ohio ; 1871, Columbus Delano, Ohio. 
 
 The act of Mar. 3, 1849, created a home department, to be 
 called the Department of the Interior, the head of which was 
 to be called the Secretary of the Interior, to be appointed by 
 the President with the advice and consent of the Senate. This 
 officer was to hold by the same tenure and receive the same 
 salary as the secretaries of the other executive departments. 
 The various branches of the public service under the admin- 
 istration of the department have been given. The Secretary 
 of the Interior is ex officio a member of the Cabinet of the 
 President. 
 
PATENT OFFICE. 
 
 145 
 
 PATENT OFFICE. 
 
 The Patent Office occupies two squares, extending from 
 7th to 9th sts. W. and from F to G sts. N., and is about equi- 
 distant from the capitol and the President's House. It may 
 be reached from either by the Metropolitan or F-st. horse rail- 
 way. The 7th-st. horse cars pass it on the E. The main en- 
 trance is on F st., and fronts 8th st. facing south. 
 
 PATENT OFFICE. 
 
 Description. — This immense pile, situated on the reserva- 
 tion set apart in the old plan of the city for the National 
 Church or Mausoleum, is pure Grecian Doric, of massive pro- 
 portions, and measures 453 ft. from E. to W. and 331 ft. from 
 N. to S., including the projections of the portico, and has an 
 elevation of 75 ft., surmounted by an acroteria. The build- 
 ing contains 191 rooms and cost $2,700,000. The reservation 
 (8) upon which it stands embraces a., and the structure 
 itself covers 2f a. 
 
 The original structure, commenced in 1837 and finished in 1842, was 270 ft. front 
 on F st. and 70 ft. deep, or 150 ft. includiug S. portico and N. apse, and was built of 
 freestone from the Government quarries at Aquia Creek. It was designed by W. P. 
 Elliott, ( Elliott & Town, engineers) and executed by Robert Mills. The E. Wing 
 was authorized in 1849, commenced by Robert Mills, who was succeeded in 1851 by 
 Edward Clark, then assistant and later architect of the Capitol, who completed the 
 building in 1864. It consists of two wings, on the E. and W., and an intervening 
 building on the N., corresponding with the old structure on the S., the whole form- 
 ing on an interior quadrangle 265 ft. by 135 ft. The E. Wing was occupied by the 
 Secretary of the Interior in 1853. The new portions of the building are of Mary- 
 land marble on the exterior and New England granite on the quadrangle. The 
 
 10 
 
146 
 
 PATENT OFFICE. 
 
 original building is painted white to harmonize with the extension. The edifice 
 rests on a sub-base of granite, above which is a basement of the material of the super- 
 structure, after which rises the order, pierced with two stories of windows, the 
 whole surmounted by an acroteria to correspond with the earlier portion of the 
 structure. The exterior is entirely without display. The absence of ornament 
 about the windows will be observed. A depression in the configuration of the site 
 of the building brings the sub-basement into view on 9th st. On 7th st. the level is 
 on a line with the basement. Between the streets and the building on the S. E. and 
 W. are small lawns and evergreens. 
 
 On the S., facing 8th st. W., is an imposing portico, ap- 
 proached by a lofty flight of granite steps which abut against 
 proportionate blockings of the same material. The portico 
 rests on a substruction of masonry, and is composed of two 
 rows of 8 Doric columns, tinted, 0 ft. in diameter and 32 ft. 
 high, raised in sections and flanked by immense pilasters. 
 It is modeled after the Parthenon, or Temple of Minerva, at 
 Athens, and is of the same dimensions. A careful study of 
 its proportions must impress the beholder with its grandeur. 
 On the E. is si portico of a single row of six columns, and also 
 reached from the street by a grand flight of steps. On the 
 K. is a portico of 8 columns in a single row. The steps here 
 do not ascend to the order, but to the base of the line of piers 
 upon which the portico stands. From this a door enters the 
 basement. On the W. the portico corresponds with thac on 
 the E., with the absence of the steps to the order, in this case 
 the ascent being by a double flight to the basement. In the 
 E. Wing there are 4 doors entering the basement, 2 of which 
 are on the and S. 
 
 From the main portico a door opens into a spacious en- 
 trance hall or vestibule, with an arched ceiling groined on 8 
 Doric colnms and 10 pilasters. On the r. and 1. runs a cor- 
 ridor, which extends entirely around the main floor of the 
 building, and upon which open the various offices of the De- 
 partment of the Interior. In the SE. angle is that of the 
 Commissioner of Patents. Here will be found a set of en- 
 gravings of the Commissioners, including a portrait of Dr. 
 'William Thornton, of Penn., designer of the original plan of 
 the Capitol, and Superintendent of Patents in the State De- 
 partment, 1803-1827. There is also a very valuable portrait 
 of Robert Fulton, of Penn., one of the inventors of the steam- 
 boat, and painted by himself . Fulton studied under Benja- 
 min West, of Penn., president of the Royal Academy of Fine 
 Arts, London. There are also 8 artist proof engravings of 
 celebrated inventors from original paintings in the collection 
 of and presented by B. Woodcroft, of the Great Seal Patent 
 Office, London. The rooms of the Secretary of the Interior, 
 the Indian, Pension* and Census Offices, are on the N. cor- 
 ridor, the Office of Public Lands in the SW. angle, and the 
 
PATENT OFFICE. 
 
 147 
 
 Patent Office Library on the S. corridor, room 77, near and 
 on the W. of the entrance hall. The visitor can make the 
 entire circuit of the building by this corridor. (See Depart- 
 ment of the Interior.) In each angle are granite steps to the 
 basement, where are offices and storage vaults. From the S. 
 entrance and vestibule a double flight of steps leads to the 
 Museum of Models of the Patent Office ; beneath this to the 
 basement. 
 
 Museum of Models. — (Open every day, except Sundays 
 and holidays, from 9 a. m. to 3 p. m.) This interesting 
 collection of American and foreign inventions, patented 
 under the laws of the United States, embraces upwards 
 of 155,000 models, accumulated since the fire of 1836, and 
 divided into 145 general clases, and nearly 8,000 relevant 
 subdivisions. The Museum occupies a suite of four magnifi- 
 cent halls on the four sides of the building, second floor. 
 Each case contains an index card. 
 
 See Keim's Illustrated Guide to the Museum of 
 Models, Patent Office, for a catalogue of models and 
 history of the most notable inventions. 
 
 Copyright, 1874, DeB. R. Keim. 
 
 SOUTH HALL MODEL MUSEUM, PATENT OFFICE. 
 
148 
 
 PATENT OFFICE. 
 
 S. Hall, (entrance.) — This is a superb apartment, 242 ft. 
 long by 63 ft. wide and 30 ft. high. The prospect is broken 
 by 36 doric columns in quadruple rows, with their entablature, 
 20 ft. high, and corresponding pilasters, which support a se- 
 ries of groined arches of 10 ft. spring, artistically adjusted to 
 secure both solidity and effect. In the centre is a raised arch 
 40 ft. high, of beautiful construction, and pierced by an aper- 
 ture of 13 ft. in diameter. This part of the ceiling is admi- 
 rably adapted to harmonize the range of arches on either side 
 with the main design. The entire complicated structure of 
 the room is of solid masonry. The general style of decora- 
 tion is Pompeiian, with appropriate adaptation. The iron 
 stairway opposite the door leads to a storage room over the S. 
 portico, used for documents. Near the entrance door are a 
 number of relics of historic value and interest. On the r. is 
 the printing-press of Franklin, at which he worked in London 
 in 1728. The case, nearly opposite, (No. 24,) contains a num- 
 ber of Washington relics, including a set of china and cande- 
 labra, presented to him by officers of the Society of the Cin- 
 cinnati; one plate to Martha Washington from Gen. Lafayette, 
 1781 ; the uniform of Washington, worn when he resigned 
 his commission in 1783; a tea-board presented him, and his 
 sword, secretary, cane, compass, and sleeping-tent. Among 
 other relics in the same case is the coat worn by Jackson at 
 the battle of New Orleans; Baron de Kalb's war saddle; a 
 sword presented to Commodore Biddle by the Viceroy of 
 Peru ; sabres from Ali Pacha, Bey of Egypt, to the officers 
 of the U. S. ship Concord, 1832 ; a coat of Gen. Paez, associ- 
 ate of Simon Bolivar, and a cimeter. The case (No. 23) next 
 on the W. contains the original of the Declaration of Inde- 
 pendence, Washington's commission as commander-in-chief, 
 dated at Philadelphia, June 19, 1775, treasure chest, furni- 
 ture, part of a set, tents and tent poles, camp chest, andirons, 
 curtains worked by Martha Washington, and two chairs. In 
 the same case are two guns of antique pattern, presented to 
 President Jefferson by the Emperor of Morocco, a model pat- 
 ented by Abraham Lincoln in 1847, for an improved method 
 of lifting vessels over shoals ; also a pair of gloves which be- 
 longed to President Lincoln. In the S. hall are 57 cases con- 
 taining models of artificial limbs, beer and wine, bleaching 
 and dyeing, boots and shoes, caoutchouc, chemical miscella- 
 neous, clasps and buckles, clay, coffin, cutleiw, dental, draft- 
 ing, electricity, fuel, gas, gunpowder, harness, horology, hose 
 and belting, ice, leather, manures, measuring-instruments, 
 oils, fats and glue, optics, paint, plating, preserving food, 
 signals, stills, sugar, surgery, tanning, trunks. This hall was 
 originally intended for an exhibition of home manufactures 
 
PATENT OFFICE. 
 
 149 
 
 This hall was originally intended for an exhibition of home manufactures. In 
 1842 it was set apart for the valuable collections in natural history brought back by 
 the expedition of Commodore, afterwards Rear Admiral, Charles Wilkes. These 
 were subsequently transferred to the National Museum in the Smithsonian building. 
 Later the plants, herbarium, and crania were transferred to the Botanical Garden 
 and Agricultural and Medical Museums respectively. In the hall were also a num- 
 her of interesting objects possessing historical associations, contributed by the vari- 
 ous executive departments, or belonging to the National Institute, founded 1840, 
 incorporated 1842, and expired 1858. 
 
 Copyright, 1874, DeB. R. Keim. 
 
 EAST HALL MODEL MUSEUM, PATENT OFFICE. 
 
 E. Hall— On the 1. the S. hall opens into the E. hall, 271 
 ft. long and 63J ft. wide. The groined arches of the ceiling 
 rest upon 28 marble piers and a requisite number of pilasters. 
 It contains 130 cases, containing models of apparel, beds, 
 boats, book-binding, builders' hardware, carding, cloth, cord- 
 age, crinoline and corsets, dryers and kilns, educational, felt- 
 ing and hats, fine arts, fire-arms, fishing, furniture, games and 
 toys, governors, jewelry, kitchen utensils, knitting and net- 
 ting, lamps and gas-fitting, laundry, locks and latches, music, 
 ordnance, paper-making, paper manufactures, photography, 
 printing, projectiles, safes, sewing machines, ships, (2 classes,) 
 silk, spinning, stationery, steam, (3 classes,) stoves and fur- 
 naces, toilet, umbrellas and fans, valves, weaving. 
 
150 
 
 PATENT OFFICE. 
 
 Copyright, 1874: DeB. R. Keim. 
 
 NORTH AND WEST HALLS MODEL MUSEUM, PATENT OFFIE. 
 
 N. Hall, reached from the E. hall, is 266 ft. long by 59 J 
 wide. The vast room is covered by a paneled ceiling com- 
 posed of iron girders, and entirely without support in the hall. 
 The number of cases here are 88, containing models of aera- 
 tion and bottling, baths and closets, bee hives, bolts, nuts, 
 and rivets, brakes and gins, casting, dairy, files, garden and 
 orchard, grinding and polishing, hardware manufacture, har- 
 rows, harvesters, horse shoes, metallurgy, metal working, (7 
 classes,) mills, nails, needles and pins, ores, plows, pneumat- 
 ics, pumps, railways, (4 classes,) saws, seeders and planters, 
 sheet metal, stabling, tubing and wire, water distribution, 
 water wheels, wire-working, wood-screws, wood-working, (4 
 classes.) 
 
 W. Hall is 271 ft. long, 64 ft. wide, and is the same in gen- 
 eral design as the IS". It contains models of bridges, brushes 
 and brooms, butchering, carpentry, carriages and wagons, 
 excavators, fences, glass, hoisting, hydraulic engineering, 
 journals and bearings, .masonry, mechanical powers, paving, 
 presses, roofing, stone, lime and cement, threshing, tobacco. 
 
 Commissioners Of Patents. — 1836, Henry L. Ellsworth, Conn.; 1845; 
 Edmund Burke, Vt. ; 1849, Thomas Ewbank, N. Y. ; 1852, S. H. Hodges, Vt. •, 
 1853, R. C. Weightman, D. C, (acting;) 1853, Charles Mason, Iowa; 1857, 
 
GENERAL POST OFFICE. 
 
 151 
 
 Samuel T. Shugeit, Penn , (acting j) 1857, Joseph Holt, Ky. ; 1859, s - T - Shugert, 
 Penn., (acting;) 1859, William D Bishop, Conn.; i860, Philip F. Thomas, 
 Md. ; i860, Samuel T. Shugert, Penn, (acting;) 1861, D. P. Holloway, Ind. ; 
 1865. T. C. Theaker, Ohio; 1868, A. M. Stout, Ky., (acting ;) 1S68, S. H. Hodges, 
 Vt., (acting;) 1868, E. Foote, N. Y. ; 1869, S. S. Fisher, Ohio; 1870, Samuel L. 
 Duncan, N. H., (acting;) 1871, Mortimer D. Leggett, Ohio; 1874, J. M. Thacher, 
 Vt.' 
 
 HistOiy. — The Patent Office of the*United States, where models of all inven- 
 tions patented since the fire of 1836 are carefully preserved for reference and exhibi- 
 tion, is an institution without an equal in the worlJ, and speaks more for the high 
 character and practical basis of the American mind than could be expressed in vol- 
 umes of written history or description. VVc are able here to trace, in practical detail, 
 the progress of mechanical arts in the United States, since 1836, and but for the un- 
 fortunate destruction of the early models, this same interesting investigation could 
 be carried back to the beginning of the Government. The first legislation in Con- 
 gress on the subject of inventions was the act of,i790 to promote the progress of use- 
 ful arts, which authorized any person to petition the heads of any of the executive 
 departments for a patent for any new invention. The patents were then recorded 
 in the office of the Secretary of State. 
 
 The rapid increase in the number of inventions early led Congress into special 
 provisions for the accommodation of the Patent Office. In 1810 the erection or pur- 
 chase of a suitable building for the use of the General Post Office and keeper of the 
 patents and arrangement of the models was authorize I. Under this authority a 
 structure known as Blodgett's Hotel, on the E. st side of the present site of the Gen- 
 eral Post Office, was secured. Up to 182,0 all applications for patents were exam- 
 ined by a clerk in the office of the Secretary of State. In that year Dr. Thornton, 
 appointed by President JefFerson to issue patents, took upon himself the title of 
 Superintendent of the Patent Office. Under the act of July 4, 1S36, the Patent 
 Office was created a separate bureau in the Department of the Interior, and its chief 
 officer received the title of Commissioner of Patents. 
 
 On Dec. 15, 18 36, the building then occupied was completely consumed by fire, 
 and among the losses were the models accumulated during a half century, and num- 
 bering upwards of 4,000. This was an irreparable calamity. After the fire the busi- 
 ness of the bureau was transacted in the City Hall, now the District Court House, 
 and remained there until it was removed to its present edifice. 
 
 The first patent was issued to Samuel Hopkins on July 31, 1790, "for making 
 pot or pearl ashes." No residence is given. 
 
 Up to )836, 46 years, 10,301 patents were issued, and to date over 155,000. The 
 annual number of patents granted is about 13,000. 
 
 The patent fund, from excess of fees over expenditures, amounts to about $800,- 
 000. The annual receipts are about $700,000, and expenditures $660,000. a con- 
 siderable sum out of the patent fund went to the erection of the building. 
 
 GENERAL POST OFFICE. 
 
 The General Post Office (open every day, except Sunday, 
 from 9 a. m. to 3 p. m.) stands opposite the Patent Office, 
 on F st., and covers the square between 7th and 8th sts. W. 
 and E and F sts. N. It may be reached by the F-st. horse 
 cars from the E. and W., and those on 7th st. from the N. 
 and S. parts of the city. 
 
 The Building occupied by the General Post Office is Cor- 
 inthian. The E st. portion was commenced in 1839, and 
 finished by Robert Mills, architect, and constructed of marble 
 from New York quarries. In 1842 Congress purchased the 
 
152 
 
 GENERAL POST OFFICE. 
 
 N. half of the square to F St., and in 1855 the extension of the 
 building over that space was executed by Captain M. C. 
 Meigs, United States Engineers, superintendent, and Edward 
 Clark, assistant, from designs by T. U. Walter, architect of 
 the Capitol, and was built out of Maryland marble. As thus 
 completed, the building- measures 300 ft. N. and S., and 204 
 ft. E. and W., and has two stories, resting on a rustic base- 
 ment, below which are vaults. In the centre is a court 194 
 ft. long by 95 ft. wide. The facades are of white marble. 
 The court is faced with granite. Above the basement rise 
 the various features of the order, including monolithic col- 
 umns and pilasters, with beautifully-worked capitals, the 
 whole extending through two stories, upon which rest the 
 architrave, frieze, and cornice, crowned by a paneled acro- 
 teria. The main front is on E st. The S. or main entrance 
 is in the basement, reached by marble steps, and is formed 
 of two Doric columns, one on either side, and opens into a 
 vestibule, on the r. and 1. of which are corridors, leading to 
 marble staircases to the upper stories. Over this entrance 
 are four attached columns of the Corinthian order. The E. 
 front is broken by a central projection of six columns, the 
 outer ones being coupled; and on either side, towards the 
 extremities of this front, is a smaller projection of four at- 
 tached columns, coupled. Beneath the central projection is 
 
 GENERAL POST OFFICE. 
 
 a vestibule, supported on four Doric columns and four corner 
 piers. The ceiling, walls, and floor are finished in white 
 marble, and on either side is a niche. The W. front is the 
 same as the E. A carriageway here opens into the court, 
 where the mails are received and despatched. Th keystone 
 
GENERAL POST OFFICE. 
 
 153 
 
 of the arch of this entrance is intended to represent Fidelity. 
 On either side are figures in basso relievo, symbolizing Steam 
 and Electricity. 
 
 The KT. front presents a recessed portico, consisting of 8 
 coupled columns resting on an arcade of rustic piers corres- 
 ponding with the basement. There are entrances to the 
 general office on the r. and 1. of the central arcade, and from 
 which passages or steps lead to the corridors on the same floor 
 or above. The corridors are on three sides only. The build- 
 ing cost $1,700,000. 
 
 The Postmaster GeneraVs office is on the floor above the 
 basement, S. side of S. corridor. Here may be seen a set of 
 photographs of the Postmasters General. The Dead Letter 
 office is on the N. side, entered from the end of the E. 
 corridor through a passage or anteroom. To gain admission 
 it will be necessary to procure a permit from the chief clerk 
 of the Finance office, on the same floor and in the SW. angle. 
 The building contains 81 rooms. The stairways are in the 
 angles of the building. 
 
 City Post Office.— The City Post Office occupies the cen- 
 tral portions of the jN". front. The Letter Delivery and Stamp 
 department is entered through the 3 arched doorways under 
 the N. portico. The ceiling, which is of iron and brick, is 
 supported on granite piers. The doors on the r. and ]., out- 
 side, before entering, lead, in addition to the corridors and 
 stairways, to the Chief Clerk's and Money Order and Regis- 
 tered Letter offices respectively. (See General Information.) 
 
 History. — Before the erection of the present edifice the 
 General Post Office occupied a building which stood on the 
 S. half of the square, known as Blodgett's Union Public 
 Hotel. It was 120 ft. long, 50 ft. wide, and 3 stories high; 
 designed by James Hoban, and built of brick, ornamented 
 with freestone. It was commenced in 1793. The structure, 
 however, was never completed by its projector. The plan 
 was to erect it out of the proceeds of a lottery. The owner 
 of the prize ticket was an orphan child, who was without the 
 means of carrying on the work. Tho theatre of the national 
 metropolis held performances in it for a time. A number of 
 Irish and other emigrants also occupied the basement free of 
 rent. In 1810 it was purchased by the Government. After 
 the burning of the Capitol, Congress held one session in it as 
 the only suitable building in the city. It was also occupied 
 by the General and City Post Offices, Patent Office, and Li- 
 brary of Congress. The latter was removed to the Capitol 
 in 1818. The building and contents were entirely destroyed 
 
154 
 
 DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. 
 
 by fire on Dec. 15, 1836. Private buildings were subsequently occupied till 
 the completion of the present structure. 
 
 Postmasters General. — 1789, Samuel Osgood, Mass ; 1791, Timothy 
 Pickering, Mass.; 1795, Joseph Habersham, Ga.; 1802, Gideon Granger, 
 Conn.; 1814, R. J. Meigs, Ohio ; 1823, John McLean, Ohio ; 1829, W. T. 
 Barry, Ky.; 1835, Amos Kendall, Ky.; 1840, J. M. Niles, Conn.; 1841, Fran- 
 cis Granger, N. Y.; 1841, C. A. Wickliffe, Ky.; 1845, Cave Johnson, Tenn.; 
 1849, Jacob Collamer, Vt.: 1850, N. K. Hall, N. Y.; 1852, S. D. Hubbard, 
 Conn.; 1853, James Campbell, Penn.; 1857, A. V* Brown, Tenn.; 1859, J. 
 Holt Ky.; 1861, Horatio King, Me.; 1861, Montgomery Blair, Md.; 1864, 
 W. Dennison, Ohio; 1866, A. W. Randall, Wis.; 1869, J. A. J. Cresswell, 
 Md.; 1874, Marshall Jewell, Conn. 
 
 The General Post Office.— On Sept. 22, 1789, Congress passed an act 
 for the temporary establishment of the Post Office, with the same power as 
 under the Confederation. In 1792 a "General Post Office '' was permanently 
 established, under immediate direction of a Postmaster General, who was 
 authorized to provide for carrying the mail of the United States " by stage- 
 carriages or horses " From this primitive beginning the operations of the 
 General Post Office have expanded to a degree fully up to the requirements 
 of the increased population and intelligence of the people. 
 
 The Postmaster General, appointed by and responsible to the President, is 
 ex-qfficio a member of the Cabinet. Previous to 1829 he was not so recognized. 
 The precedent was established by President Jackson, who invited Postmaster 
 General Barry to a seat in the Cabinet. 
 
 DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. 
 
 The Department of Justice [open every day, except Sun- 
 day, from 9 a. m. to 3 p. m.) occupies the upper floors of a 
 fine building on Pennsylvania av., between 15 and 15J 
 sts., and opposite the Treasury Department, erected by 
 the Freedmen's Savings and Trust Company. The entrance 
 is at the W. end, S. front. 
 
 Objects of Interest. — The Gallery of Paintings of the 
 Attorneys General of the United States, is in the Attorney 
 General's room, S. E. corner 2d floor, in the Assistant At- 
 torney General's rooms, No. 9 and 15, and the Solicitor 
 General's room, No. 11, all 3d floor. The portrait of Ed- 
 mund Randolph, of Va., the first on the list, is from an 
 original. That of William Pinkney, of Md., is from Peale. 
 
 Attorneys General. — 1789, Edmund Randolph, Va.; 1794, William Brad- 
 ford, Penn.; 1795, Charles Lee, Va.; 1&01, Levi Lincoln, Mass.; 1805, Robert 
 Smith, Md.; 1805, John Breckenridge, Ky.; 1807, Csesar A. Rodney, Del.: 
 1811, William Pinkney, Md.; 1814, Richard Rush, Penn.; 1817, William Wirt, 
 Va.; 1829, J. M. Berrien, Ga.; 1831, Roger B. Taney, Md.; 1833, B. F. 
 Butler, N. Y.; 18^8, Felix Grundy, Tenn.: 1840, H. D. Gilpin, Penn.; 1841, 
 J. J. Crittenden, Ky.; 1841, H. S. Legar6, S. C; 1843, John Nelson, Md.; 
 1845, John Y. Mason, Va.; 1846, Nathan Clifford, Me.; 1848, Isaac Toucey, 
 Conn.; 1849, Reverdy Johnson, Md.; 1850, J. J. Crittenden, Ky.: 1853,. 
 Caleb Cushing, Mass.; 1857, J er - S. Black, Penn.; i860, E. M. Stanton r 
 Penn.; 1861, Edward Bates, Mo.; 1864 James Speed, Ky.; 1866, Henry 
 Stanbery, Ohio ; 1868. W. M. Evarts, N. Y. ; 1869, E„ C. Hoar. Mass,; 
 1870, A. T. Ackerman, Ga.; 1872, G. H. Williams, Oregon ; 1875, Edwards 
 Pierpont, N. Y. 
 
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. 
 
 155 
 
 History of the Department. — This Executive Department, of which the 
 Attorney General is trie head, was created by act of Congress approved June 
 22, 1870. All prosecutions on behalf of the Government are conducted by this 
 department. T he Attorney General reports annually to Congress- the business 
 of his department, and any other matters appertaining thereto that he deems 
 proper, including statistics of crime under the laws of the United States, and 
 as far as practicable, under the laws of the several States. The Attorney 
 
 DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. 
 
 (Freedman's Bank Rented,) m 
 General is also required to give his advice and opinion upon all questions ot 
 law. when asked for by the President of the United States, or when requested 
 by the heads of the Executive Departments. He is appointed by the Presi- 
 dent, and is ex officio a member of his Cabinet. _ 
 
 Under the Attorney General are the officers of the District and Circuit 
 Courts of the United States, the Reform School, Metropolitan Police, and Jail 
 of the District of Columbia, and the law officers of the different departments. 
 
156 
 
 DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 
 
 DEPAKTMENT OF AGKICULTUKE. 
 
 The Department of Agriculture (open daily, except Sunday, 
 from 9 a. m. to 3 p. m.) occupies that portion of the Mall lying 
 E. of 14th st., and between the Washington Monument and 
 the Smithsonian Institution. The building commands a view 
 of the business quarter of the city, and in turn itself makes a 
 fine appearance from 13th st. W., which it faces. 
 
 Grounds. — The grounds in the immediate vicinity of the 
 building are beautifully laid out. On the N. front is a con- 
 creted surface the entire length of the building, and 50 ft. 
 wide, which makes a spacious carriageway to the main en- 
 trance, and is also used by pedestrians. A terrace wall 
 about 4 ft. high, ornamented with stone balusters and pedi- 
 ments with plant vases, runs the length and parallel with 
 the front of the building, and at a distance of about 100 yds. 
 At each extremity of the wall is a small iron pavilion of 
 suitable design. The terrace divides what are known as the 
 Tipper and Lower Gardens. The former is laid out in beds, 
 with intervening walks, and is devoted to flowers, vases, and 
 rustic statuary. The lower, and all the grounds lying in 
 front of the building line, with the exception of the flower 
 garden, have been laid out as an arboretum, with walks and 
 drives, and a well-selected collection of the hardier trees and 
 shrubs. The flower garden contains no shade trees, which 
 affords an unbroken view of the building. The trees and 
 plants in the arboretum are planted on strictly botanical 
 rules, the order and tribe of plants being grouped. The 
 effect, however, by careful arrangement of the blending 
 types is peculiarly atttactive, and has not the formal appear- 
 ance of a scientific classification. 
 
 The collection embraces 1,600 species of plants. In the 
 rear of the department building and plant houses are the 
 Experimental Grounds, covering about 10 a., those lying in 
 the rear of the plant houses being set apart for experimental 
 gardening, and those in the rear of the building, and occu- 
 pying the SE. angle of the enclosure, for the experimental 
 orchards and stables and yard. The object of these grounds 
 is for testing varieties of small fruits, seeds, and for the prop- 
 agation and culture of hardy plants. Along portion of the 
 "N. line of the grounds, commencing at the W., are artificial 
 lakes, rivers* and swamps, for the cultivation of type varieties 
 of water and marsh plants. The plans for the grading and 
 laying out of the grounds were prepared and carried into 
 
158 
 
 DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 
 
 execution in 1868, by William Saunders, of Perm.,, Superin- 
 tendent of Gardens and Grounds. (Also see Plant Houses.) 
 
 The Department Building, designed by Adolph Cluss, ar- 
 chitect, and completed in 1868, is of the renaissance style, 170 
 ft. long by 61 ft. deep, with a finished basement, three full 
 stories and Mansard roof. It was erected by contract, under 
 the superintencence of the architect, is constructed of pressed 
 brick, with brown-stone bases, belts, cornices, and trimmings, 
 and cost, including apparatus for laboratory, $140,420. The 
 front presents a centre building with main entrances, and is 
 flanked by two wings. 
 
 A. Main Entrance. — Doors, oak and ash woods Vestibule, zo ft. square and 
 l6 ft. high. Floors, encaustic tiles of chaste design. Walls, paneled in encaustic 
 paint. Ceilings, in frescoe, representing an arbor of vine foliage held by American 
 eagles, with outspread wings. Ornamentation in arabesque, mingled with four 
 medallions, illustrating, in landscape, light and shade and human figures, the four 
 seasons of the year, divisions of the day, and ages of man. 
 
 B. Main Staircase leading to the second floor and Museum of Agriculture. 
 
 C and D. Private Stairs to the second floor and passage to cloak rooms and closets. 
 The vestibule (A) opens into a wide corridor, from which the various offices, 20 ft. 
 square, are entered, 
 
 1. Ante Room, finished in bird's eye maple and black walnut, in panels, and 
 represents a fine specimen of the application of wood to walls, known as " wood- 
 hanging." 
 
 2. Commissioner of Agriculture, finished in panels of bird's eye maple, bor- 
 dered by friezes in mahogany and blistered walnut, alternating with paneled 
 pilasters in mahogany and satin wood, all parted by curley maple, and relieved by 
 a tracing of gilt. 
 
 3. Private Office of Commissioner. The friezes are of birch, borders of 
 black walnut, and panels of mountain ash. 
 
 4. Library. A tastefully finished apartment, supplied with mahogany cases. 
 The collection of works, S,ooo vols., forms the most complete agricultural library in 
 the United States, and comprises nearly all the standard works on agriculture and 
 kindred sciences, reports of all the State boards of agriculture, and agricultural, horti- 
 cultural, and pomological societies, and the transactions of the leading agricultural 
 and scientific associations of England, France, Germany, and Italy. The object of 
 
 department of agriculture— first floor. 
 
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 159 
 
 tht Library is for reference and used in the extensive correspondence of the Depart- 
 ment. Persons interested are permitted to consult works, but not to take them 
 from the room. Among the most interesting works is a set, 14 vols., on botany, 
 illustrating the flora of Central Europe, published in Vienna, and presented by the 
 Emperor of Austria. There are also portraits of a number of personages, among 
 the number Marshall P. Wilder, of Boston, the distinguished horticulturist. 
 
 $ to 8. Clerks 1 Rooms, finished in encaustic oil paint, plain, with frescoed 
 ceilings. 
 
 9. Chemist and Microcopist Room, is supplied with cases containing a collec- 
 tion of minerals having an agricultural value. The chemist makes analyses of soils, 
 fertilizers, and agricultural productions. The results are recorded for future refer- 
 ence. The microscopist examines and reports upon the diseases of plants. 
 
 10. Balance Room, contains a variety of balances used in the chemical work. 
 
 11. Laboratory, supplied with chemicals and other apparatus used in chemical 
 experiments. A private stairway leads to the basement below, in which are fur- 
 nances, ovens, and other necessary conveniences. The equipment of the Laboratory 
 is very complete. 
 
 12. File Room. 
 
 13 and 14. Clerk's Room, finished in encaustic paint. 
 
 DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, SECOND FLOOR. 
 
 A. Stairs to the Botanical Museum, Taxidermist's, and Modeler's Rooms. 
 
 B. Stairs to clerk's rooms. 
 
 15. Museum of Agriculture. — Opposite the main entrance below, a double 
 flight of stairs of wrought and cast iron, lighted by a large stained-glass window, 
 leads to the second floor, and into the Museum of Agriculture. On the first landing 
 is a plank 12x63/3 ft from the giant redwood tree of California. The Museum Hall 
 occupies the main building, and is 102 ft. long, 52 ft. wide, and 27 ft. high. A coved 
 stuccoed cornice extends around the hall, broken at regular intervals by brack- 
 ets, in which are wrought busts of Indians. The cove is ornamented by flowers and 
 fruits, with medallion shields bearing the arms of the United States, and the States 
 of the Union in 1868 in their chronological order. The ceiling is divided into 15 
 panels, embellished with rosettes. A soft color, harmonizing with the ornamenta- 
 tion of the hall, is employed generally on the walls. For the accommodation and 
 security of the agricultrual collection, the hall has been supplied with dust-proof waU 
 nut cases of chaste design. 
 
 The Museum (which will be explained by an attendant) shows the agricultural 
 productions of the United States, and manufactures therefrom, also how the former 
 are affected by climate, insects, birds, and animals— injurious and beneficial. It is 
 divided into general, State, and economic. The general division illustrates the his- 
 tory of agricultural products. The fruits and vegetables are modeled in plaster of 
 Paris, and colored in oil, to represent nature. The State and economic divisions, 
 when completed, will show in a single case the mineral and agricultural productions, 
 
160 
 
 DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 
 
 and economic substances manufactured therefrom, cf each State. The principal ob- 
 ject of the museum is utility, to i?iclude all the products of agriculture, and bearihg 
 upon the increase of knowledge in that important branch of industry. 
 
 In the centre of the hall is a table of California redwood 7x12 ft. finished in other 
 native woods, and presented by gentlemen in California. The vase on the table is 
 made of Coquina or Florida shell rock from St. Augustine, Florida, taken from the 
 foundation of the residence of the early Spanish colonial governors. 
 
 Cases North Range commencing on the W. The shelf numbers count from 
 below. The injurious birds have a perch with a partly black end, and beneficial, white. 
 
 1. Not yet erected. It is proposed, however, to place this case shortly. 
 
 2. I, American ducks; 2, American small birds, arranged to show benefit or in- 
 jury, with contents of stomachs in small boxes; 3, American hawks and owls. 
 
 3. I, animals — domestic and farm pests; 2, American game birds; 3, gulls and 
 aquatic birds. 
 
 4 Domestic poultry. 
 
 5. 1, Fish — prepared skins ; 2 and 3, foreign game birds that can be or have been 
 
 domesticated. 
 
 6. A case has been prepared for this space, and will be erected at once. 
 
 7. Foreign game birds. 
 
 g. California products and miscellaneous specimens. 
 
 9. Grains and cereals — native 
 
 10. Grains and cereals — native. The middle and upper shelves arranged by 
 States. 
 
 11. 1 and 2, Temporary case of botanical specimens. 
 
 12. 1, Vegetable fibres — cotton. 
 
 Cases South Range commencing on the E. 
 
 12. Foreign woods, &c. 
 
 13. 1 and 2, Foreign grains, collected at the Paris Exposition 18675 3i miscella- 
 neous. 
 
 14. 1, Petroleum, tobacco; 2, sugar, syrups, &c, Indian foods; 3, farinaceous 
 products, gums, resins, &c. 
 
 15. 1 Chinese paper; 2, American and foreign paper and paper-making mate- 
 rials; 3, Japanese paper. 
 
 16. Silk from egg to manufactured goods of highest quality. 
 
 17. 1, Animal fibres, angora wool; 2, vegetable fibres, ramie and aloes; 3, vege- 
 table fibres, miscellaneous. 
 
 18. 1, Vegetable fibres, cotton; 2, flax, flax cotton, asdepias; 3, New Zealand 
 flax, agaue fibre and miscellaneous tropical fibres. In a case against the wall is a fine 
 specimen of the cotton plant. 
 
 19. The case designed for this space has not yet been erected. 
 
 Centre of the Hall, commencing on the west. 
 
 20. 1, Tropical fruits — southern apples; 2, apples, (models.') 
 
 21. I, Vegetables, (models;) 2, apples and pears, (models.) 
 
 22. I, Vegetable, apples, fish, (models;) 2, pears, (models.) 
 
 23. 1, Vegetables and fruits, (models ;) 2, miscellaneous fruits and vegetables, 
 (models,) fungi; (models and natural.) 
 
 The plan of the museum was suggested and carried into operatiou by Townend 
 Glover, entomologist of the Department. 
 
 16. Statistician. — Here the monthly and annual reports and statistical informa- 
 tion are compiled. 
 
 17. Clerks of the Statistical Division. 
 
 18. Ladies 1 Retiring Room. 
 
 iq Clekks . ... ' ■ 
 
 20. Cabinet of Entomology. — Tne room, 20 x 30 ft., is supplied with suitable 
 walnut cases. The collection comprises the insects of the United States injurious 
 and beneficial to agriculture, arranged scientifically, for reference. In the open 
 cases is a small collection of insects for exhibition, and specimens of insect injury 
 
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 
 
 161 
 
 and architecture, both ex- 
 ceedingly interesting. 
 The walls are hung with 
 a'scriesof about 300 plates, 
 by Prof. Townend Glo- 
 ver, illustrating the insects 
 in the cabinet. 
 
 Hi Entomologist's 
 Private Room. 
 
 On the third floor, E. 
 wing, reached from A, 
 plan of the second floor, 
 is the Botanical Museum. 
 It is supplied with appro- 
 priate cases, and contains 
 2.00 natural orders and 
 2.5,000 species of plants, a 
 space being devoted to 
 each order. The speci- 
 mens are arranged on 
 sheets and indexed. The 
 first collection was trans- 
 ferred from the Smithso- 
 nian Institution, and 
 comprised the specimens 
 brought home by the 
 Wilkes expedition. The 
 specimens gathered by 
 the various United States 
 exploring exprditions are 
 all deposited here. The 
 collection of plants of the 
 United States is very com- 
 plete. 
 
 The rooms adjoining 
 are occupied by the Tax- 
 idermists on the W. and 
 Modelers on the S. The 
 former has the preparation 
 of birds for the museum, 
 and their care. The latter 
 makes models of fruits for 
 the museum. 
 
 Over the third floor, W. 
 wing, reached from B, 
 plan of the second floor, 
 the rooms are used for 
 clerks. 
 
 Basement reached 
 
 from B, first floor — con- 
 tains Seed Rooms, in west- 
 ern portion, and rest Fold- 
 ing, Laborers' ', and Engi- 
 neers^ Rooms, and accom- 
 modations for heating ap- 
 paratus and fuel. The 
 seed-packing department, 
 where upwards of 60 per- 
 sons are employed, is of 
 great interest. 
 
 11 
 
162 
 
 DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 
 
 Plant Houses —On the W. of the department building are 
 the plant houses^ commenced in 1868 from designs by Wil- 
 liam Saunders, Superintendent of Gardens and Grounds. 
 The main structure is 320 ft. long and 30 ft. wide E. and W., 
 with a wing 150 long projecting to the rear or S. of the centre 
 of the main building. The centre pavilion is 60 ft. long, 32 
 ft. wide, and 30 ft. high, and is devoted to palms and the 
 larger tropical plants, such as bananas. The pavilions at 
 the extremity of the wings are 30 ft. square, 26 ft. high, and 
 are the orangery, and for other semi-tropical fruits. These 
 terminal pavilions are joined to the centre by connecting 
 ranges 100 ft. long, 25 ft. wide, and 17 ft. high, and are oc- 
 cupied by the miscellaneous collection of plants of practical 
 use, such as medical plants and those furnishing textile fibres, 
 useful gums, sugars, and dyes. The S. projecting wing is 
 the grapery \ and contains a collection of foreign grapes. The 
 roots are planted in borders on the outside, and the stems 
 conducted into the grapery through apertures in the brick 
 wall. The dark varieties are on the W. side, and the light 
 on the E. There are 100 varieties in all. 
 
 The plant houses are heated by means of hot water, circulated through 5,000 ft. 
 of 4-in pipe, and supplied by two boilers. The boilers are arranged with a cut-off, 
 so that they may be operated separately or together. 
 
 These houses have foundation walls of red sandstone, with bluestone bases and 
 caps. The doors and windows of the centre and wings are designed in moresque 
 arches. Brackets uphold the cornice from which the cupola roof rises. The main 
 entrance projects from the main building, and has three arched openings The 
 frame of the structure is of iron and wood substantially built, and cost $25,000. 
 The roof is covered with American glass of double thickness, and curved expressly 
 for the purpose. 
 
 Commissioners of Agriculture. — 1862, Isaac Newton, Penn.; 1867, John W. Stokes 
 Penn., (acting;) 1867, Horace Capron, 111.; 1871, Frederick Watts, Penn. 
 
 History—Underact July 4, 1856, Henry L.Ellsworth, Commissioner of Patents, 
 gave attention to the distribution of rare grains, seeds, and plants, in the collection 
 of which he was aided by the diplomatic and consular officers of the United States 
 in foreign countries. In 1839 $1,000 were appropriated for the purpose. This gave 
 rise to the agricultural division of the Patent Office. 
 
 In 1858 a Propagating Garden was established on that portion of the public grounds 
 lying along the S. side of Missouri av., bet. 4^ and 6th sts. N., for the purpose of 
 testing sorghum and Chinese sugar cane. In 1868 these operations were removed 
 to the present more extensive grounds. 1, 
 
 The - Department of Agriculture was established by act of Congress dated May 15, 
 1862, 41 to acquire and diffuse among the people of the United States useful infor- 
 mation on subjects connected with agriculture in the most general and comprehen- 
 sive sense of that word, and to procure, propagate, and distribute among the people 
 new and valuable seeds and plants." The chief executive officer was to be known 
 as the Commissioner of Agriculture, to be appointed by the President and confirmed 
 by the Senate. The Department, before occupying its present abode, had rooms in 
 the basement of the Patent Office. j^^^v, 
 
 There are now annually distributed about 1,200,000 packages of seeds, and 25,000 
 bulbs, vines, cuttings, and plants. MtrM 
 
 The publications cf the Department consist of an annual report of about 700 pages 
 octavo, 227,000 to 275,000 printed for distribution, and monthly reports of about 45 
 pages octavo, on the condition of the crops. 28,000 printed. 
 
NAVAL OBSERVATORY. 
 
 163 
 
 NAVAL OBSEKVATOKY. 
 
 The United States Naval Observatory is one of the leading 
 astronomical establishments in the world. It is open every 
 day, except Sunday, from 9 a, m. to 3 p. m. The watchman 
 will show visitors through the building. Night visits are very 
 much restricted in consequence of the interference with the 
 astronomical work. The street cars on Pennsylvania av. run 
 within 10 min. walk. Alight at 24th st. W., south side. Vis- 
 itors afoot may reach the Observatory by following New 
 York av. W. of the State, War, and Navy Department to E 
 st. N., thence by the latter to 24th st. W. 
 
 Grounds. — The Observatory occupies a commanding site 
 on the N. bank of the Potomac, 96 ft. above tide, and origin- 
 ally known as Peters' 1 Hill, after its proprietor. The beauti- 
 ful grounds comprise 19 a. within the walls, and constitute 
 Reservation No. 4 on the original plat of the city. 
 
 NAVAL OBSERVATORY. 
 
 There are many interesting historical associations connected with the site. In 1755 
 portion of Braddock's army camped here on the march from Alexandria to the fatal 
 field on the Monongahela. On the Potomac bank is a rock upon which the troops 
 were landed, and known as Braddock's rock. In 1792 it was proposed to erect a fort 
 and barracks on the N. portions of the reservation. It was a favorite project with 
 Washington to establish a national university here. The grounds were named Uni- 
 versity Square from this fact. In 181 J-' 14 part of the American army encamped on 
 the hill, from which fact it was long known as Camp Hill, and advanced to Bladens- 
 burg for the defense of the city against the English. 
 
 The Observatory, founded in 1842, is under the direction of 
 the Bureau of Navigation, Navy Department. The reserva- 
 tion in the centre of which it stands was selected for the pur- 
 pose by President Tyler. 
 
 Buildings. — The central building, completed in 1844, is 50 
 ft. sq., consisting of a basement and 2 stories, with a crown- 
 ing parapet and balustrade, and is surmounted by a dome. 
 
164 
 
 NAVAL OBSERVATORY. 
 
 On the E. and W. are icings, each 26 \ ft. long', 21 ft. wide, 
 and 18 ft. high. At the end of the former is the residence of 
 the superintendent, and the latter, an observing-room, 40 ft. 
 by 281- ft., built in 1869. The projection on the S. is 60 ft. 
 long*, and terminates in the great dome. Visitors are expect- 
 ed to register their names in the book opposite the main 
 entrance. 
 
 Booms and Instruments. — Tlie numbers refer to the diagram 
 of ground plan. 
 
 I. ' Pier of Equatorial, brick, imbedded 17 ft in the earth, conical, is 12 ft. 
 in diameter at the surface line, 7 ft at top, 28 ft. high, and is capped with a pedestal 
 of stone weighing 7% tons. Over the pier is a dome 25 ft. in diameter, rising 20 ft. 
 above the roof, and provided with a slip. The dome revolves on six 24-lb. shot. 
 This Equatorial, purchased in 1845, was made by Merz and Mahler, Munich, cost 
 $6,000. Object-glass, 9.62 in., clear aperture; focal length, 14 ft. 4.5 in. Its work 
 is chiefly upon the smaller planets, asteroids, and comets. 
 
 II. Superintendent's Office. — Here is an electro-chronograph, in a marble case, 
 invented by Prof. John L. Locke, 1848. It is connected by electric wires with the 
 clocks in the Executive Departments, Weather Signal Office, and Western Union 
 Telegraph Office. The current is continually passing, the pendulums of all the clocks 
 beating together. In the adjacent hall is a superbly-carved black walnut switch-board, 
 made by the Western Electric Manufacturing Company, Chicago, and purchased in 
 1874. The frame takes no wires, and has 3,000 combinations. Through this the 
 clocks, chronographs, and instruments are placed in communication with each other 
 and with the telegraphic system of the world. The old switch-board is opposite. 
 
 III. General Office. IV. Office of Naval Officer in Charge of 
 Chronometers. V. Packing-Room. 
 
 VI. Mural Circle and Transit, with clock and chronograph. Mural Cir- 
 cle, made by Troughton & Simms, London, 1843; erected in 1844. Object-glass, 
 4.10 in., clear aperture ; focal length, 5 ft. 3.8 in. ; diameter at graduation, 60.35 in. ; 
 is divided into every 5 min., and is supplied with reading microscopes. Its use is for 
 observing declinations of stars. Transit, made by Ertel & Son, Munich, 1844 j erect- 
 <ed the same year. Object-glass 5 33 in., clear aperture ; focal length, 7 ft 0.4 in. 
 Used for observing the right ascension of stars. These were the principal instru- 
 ments used by Prof. Yarnell in making his Catalogue 0/10,658 Stars. 
 
 VII. Chronometer-Room, in which the chronometers of the navy, when not 
 in actual use, are kept and rated. The average number here is 200. They are 
 wound and compared with a standard, daily, and a record kept of their variation by 
 the naval officer in charge. In the same room is a standard mean-time clock, with 
 necessary apparatus, from which at meridian each day exact time is dispatched. The 
 naval officer in charge, at 3 min. before noon, connects the clock through the foot 
 of the pendulum with electric wires, and at mean noon taps the electric key, simul- 
 taneously giving the instant of mean noon to the Western Union Telegraph Com- 
 pany's offices, and thence all over the U. S. The ball over the Observatory is 
 •dropped at tne same moment. 
 
 VIII. Library. — In 1844 this consisted of 200 vols of astronomical works, do- 
 nated by the Greenwich, Paris, Berlin, and Vienna Observatories. It now com- 
 prises 6^000 vols., some very rare, dating in 1482, relating to astronomy, meteorolo- 
 gy, and kindred sciences, and is the most complete of the kind on the western hemi- 
 sphere. 
 
 IX. Siderial Clock, made by Kessels, of Altona, Germany, is used as the 
 standard clock of the Observatory. 
 
 X. Transit Circle, made by Pistor & Martins, Berlin, was first mounted in 
 the present Library in 1865. Object-glass, 8 52 in , clear aperture; focal length, 12 
 ft. 1 in.; outer diameter of its circles, 45.30 in., and at the graduation, 43.40 in: 
 Both circles are divided to every 2 min., and are fitted with reading microscopes. 
 The collimators, for adjusting the instrument, have a focal leng'h of 2 ft. II in. 
 Use: observation of the positions of the sun, moon, and planets. In the same room 
 is a chronograph, made by Alvan Clark & Sons, from designs by Prof. Wm. Hark- 
 ness. It records by electric wires the times at which observations are made. 
 
NAVAL OBSERVATORY. 
 
 165 
 
 XI. Prime Vertical Transit, made by Pistor & Martins, Berlin, was erect- 
 ed in 1844. Object-glass, 4.8S in., clear aperture j focal length, 6 ft. 5 in. Is used 
 cnly for declinations. 
 
 XII. Machine Shop. XIII. Room of Officer in Charge of thh Great 
 Equatorial. XIV. Sleeping Apartment of Officer in Charge of thh 
 Great Equatorial. 
 
 XV. Great Equatorial, 
 mounted in 1873, made by Al- 
 van Clark & Sons, Cambridge- 
 port, Mass. Object-glass, 26 
 in., clear aperture; focal 
 length, 32.3^ ft., cost $47,000. 
 The rough lump of glass was 
 cast by Chance & Co., Birm- 
 ingham, England. The in- 
 strument rests upon a double 
 pier of masonry, imbedded 17 
 ft. in the earth. The pier 
 above the floor is of brick, 
 arched, and has a cap consist- 
 ing of a solid block of red sand- 
 stone, 8 ft. long by 2 ft. wide 
 and high. On top of this is an 
 iron support weighing 1,100 
 lbs., to receive the axis upon 
 which the telescope is mount- 
 ed. The instrument with its 
 base weighs 6 tons. The in- 
 
 naval observatory, ground plan. 
 
 means of suitable gearing. The instrument is the largest refractor in the world. 
 The next in size is in the private observatory of R. S. Newall, Gateshead, England > 
 and has 25 in. of clear aperture. 
 
 XVI. Residence of the Superintendent. 
 
 The rooms on the second floor of the main building are used 
 by officers in charge of the various instruments and their 
 assistants. The view from the platform around the dome is 
 very fine. To the top of the staff over the dome a black can- 
 vass 6aZZ, ft. in diameter, is hoisted daily a few minutes 
 before noon, and by means of a steel spring, governed by a 
 magnet and operated from the chronometer-room, is dropped 
 011 the instant of mean noon. 
 
 strument is equatoriall} 
 mounted, the general plan 
 being that devised by Fraun- 
 hofer, modified by Messrs. 
 Clark and Prof. S. Newcomb, 
 and is run by a reaction watet 
 wheel. It is fitted with mi- 
 chrometers, spectroscopes, &c. 
 The tube is of sheet steel, 
 rolled in Pittsburgh. There 
 is also a chronograph con- 
 nected with the instrument. 
 The great equatorial is plac- 
 ed in an iron dome 41 ft. in 
 diameter and 40 ft. in height, 
 erected at a cost of $14,000. 
 The superstructure rests on 
 a stone foundation. The roof 
 is supplied with a slip, re- 
 volves on conical wheels, 
 and is easily moved horizont- 
 ally in either direction by 
 
ARMY MEDICAL MUSEUM. 
 
 Superintendents of the Depot of Charts and Instruments. — 1830, Lieut. L. M. 
 Goldsborough j 183 ?, Lieut. Charles Wilkes ; 1836, Lieut. Hitchcock; 1838, Lieut. 
 J. M. Gilliss. Of the Naval Observatory. — 1844., Commander M. F. Maury; 1861, 
 Capt. J. M. Gilliss; i86$, Rear Admiral C. H. Davis; 1867, Rear Admiral B. F. 
 Sands ; 1874, Rear Admiral C. H. Davis 
 
 History. — The first action of Congress towards the establishment of an observa- 
 tory was in 1821, in the passage of a joint resolution to ascertain the longitude of the 
 Capitol from Greenwich, first proposed by VVm. Lambert, of Va., in 1810. In 1830 
 a bureau, for the care of the instruments and charts o f the navy, was created. A 
 small 30-in transit was erected at the same time. A series of observations were car- 
 ried on in connection with the Wilkes Exploring Ex/edition, i838-'42. In 1842 a 
 44 permanent depot'''' was established. In 1850 the meridian of the Observatory at 
 Washington was adopted as the American meridian for astronomical and that of 
 Greenwich for all nautical purposes. Long, of Observatory, 77 0 3' W. of 
 Greenwich; lat., 38 0 53' j8".8 N. 
 
 ARMY MEDICAL MUSEUM. 
 
 The Army Medical Museum (open every day, except Sunday, 
 from 9 a. m. to 3 p. m.) stands on the E. side of 10th st. W., 
 about midway between E and F sts. IS". It is a plain brick 
 structure, painted dark brown, 3 stories high, 71 ft. front, and 
 109 ft. deep. The building was originally a church, and then 
 a theatre, known as Ford's Theatre, and was the scene of the 
 tragedy of April 14, 1865 — the assassination of President 
 Lincoln. The building was immediately closed by the Gov- 
 ernment, and in April, 1866, Congress purchased it for $100,- 
 000, for the purpose to which it is now applied. The interior 
 was taken out, remodeled, and made tire-proof, under direc- 
 tion of Surgeon General Barnes. There is now no trace of 
 the exact scene of the assassination. Its location was on the 
 r., about the centre of what is now the second floor. The as- 
 sassin took his last drink in the restaurant, which occupied 
 the first floor of the S. wing, now the Chemical Laboratory. 
 The President was conveyed to the house No. 516, opposite, 
 and died in the back room of the first floor. 
 
 On the side, in the rear of the building, is a small wing, 
 occupied by the Museum workshops, and in front, on the S. 
 side, is another wing, used by the Chemical Laboratory and 
 the officers on duty. The main entrance is in the S. portion 
 of the front, and the Museum is in the third story, at the top 
 of the stairway. The first floor is occupied by the record 
 and pension division of the Surgeon General's Office, contain- 
 ing the papers belonging to the military hospitals and monthly 
 sick reports of the army during the rebellion, 1861-65, and 
 are stil! received from the various posts of the regular army. 
 The hospital records number over 16,000 vols. The payment 
 of pensions is based upon information received from these rec- 
 ords. The alphabetical registers contain about 300,000 names 
 
ARMY MEDICAL MUSEUM. 
 
 167 
 
 of the dead of the army. The Chemical Laboratory in the S. 
 wing is charged with the examination of alleged adulterations 
 of medicines and hospital supplies, and other investigations 
 of a similar nature which come before the Surgeon General. 
 The second floor contains the surgical records. In the S. wing, 
 on this floor, are the offices of the Surgeon General and sur- 
 geon in charge. Here are portraits of Surgeon General Lovel, 
 John Hunter, (a copy from Sir Joshua Reynolds,) philosophi- 
 cal writer on surgery, Dr. Morton, author of Crania Ameri- 
 cana, and Dr. Physic, an original by Rembrandt Peale. 
 
 Museum. — The Museum on the third floor is well lighted 
 in front and rear and by a large central skylight, which also 
 lights the floors below through oblong openings. The attend- 
 ant in the room will answer questions and point out objects 
 of special interest. 
 
 The specimens, arranged in cases and otherwise, number 
 16,000, and are divided into six sections, viz: I. Surgical 
 Section, embracing specimens of the effects of missiles of 
 every variety on all parts of the body, extremely interest- 
 ing ; the stages of repair ; morbid conditions, calculi, tumors, 
 &c. ; plaster casts representing mutilations resulting from 
 injuries and surgical operations; examples of missiles ex- 
 tracted from wounds ; preparations exhibiting the effects of 
 injuries peculiar to Indian hostilities. In this section are 
 the bones of the amputated portions of the legs of eight 
 generals, and a portion of the vertebrae of the neck of Booth, 
 the assassin. II. Medical Section, consisting of specimens 
 illustrating the morbid conditions of the internal organs in 
 fever, chronic dysentery, and other camp diseases ; the mor- 
 bid anatomy of the diseases of civil life; and pathological 
 pieces relating to the diseases of women and children, mal- 
 formations, and monstrosities. III. Microscopical Section, 
 including thin sections of diseased tissues or organs, suitably 
 mounted for microscopical study, and a variety of prepara- 
 tions exhibiting the minute anatomy of normal structures. 
 An interesting branch of this section is the success attained 
 in photo-micography, the process by which the most delicate 
 microscopical preparations can be photographed to a magni- 
 fying power of 4,500 diameters. IY. Anatomical Section, 
 embracing skeletons, separated crania, and other prepara- 
 tions of the anatomy of the human frame. The collection of 
 human crania, with a view to ethnological study, and espe- 
 cially relating to the aboriginal race of the United States, is 
 very complete, numbering about 1,000 specimens. Y. Section 
 of Comparative Anatomy, embracing over 1,000 specimens of 
 skeletons oi buffalo, deer, bear, and other American mammals, 
 
168 
 
 GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE. 
 
 with birds, reptiles, and fishes. VI. Miscellaneous Section, 
 including models of hospitals, barracks, ambulances, and 
 medicine wagons, a collection of surgical instruments, arti- 
 ficial limbs, and other articles of interest. The object of the 
 Museum is not to gratify public curiosity, but was founded 
 and is carried on in the interests of science. It is the finest 
 collection of the kind in the world, and is resorted to by sur- 
 gical and medical students and writers from all parts of the 
 United States and abroad. The original design of the Museum 
 was the collection of specimens illustrative of military surgery 
 and camp diseases for the education of medical men for mili- 
 tary service. The Medical and Surgical History of the War 
 was compiled from the records of the museum. 
 
 GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE. 
 
 The Government Printing Office and Bindery (open every 
 day, except Sunday, from 8 a. m. to 5. p. m.) occupies an 
 L-shaped brick building, on the SW. corner of H and North 
 Capitol sts. The Office may be reached by the Columbia 
 Horse Railway, Visitors should alight and enter by the door 
 nearest N. Capitol st. There is also a public entrance on the 
 latter st. It will be necessary for strangers to state to the 
 watchman at either door that they desire to visit the build- 
 ing. The building measures 300 ft. on II St., and 175 ft. on 
 N. Capitol St., and is 60 ft. deep and four stories high. The 
 building, without the addition of an extension of 60 ft. on the 
 W. end, and an L of 113 ft. on the E. end, made in 1871, was 
 purchased in 1860 by the Superintendent of Public Printing, 
 an office then created under authority of an act of Congress. 
 It had previously belonged to Cornelius Wendell, and was 
 then used as a printing office, under the contract system. 
 The object of the purchase w T as the execution of the printing 
 and binding authorized by the Senate and House of Repre- 
 sentatives, the Executive and Judicial Departments, and the 
 Court of Claims. Connected with the main building are a 
 paper warehouse, machine shops, boiler and coal houses, 
 wagon shed and stable. 
 
 On the first floor arc the press, wetting, drying, and engine 
 rooms. The presses include a variety of patterns, and are 
 adapted to every species of work. There are 52 in all, from 
 the immense Bullock press to the small Gordon. On the 
 second floor are the composing-room, with 300 stands, the 
 
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE. 169 
 
 proof-reading rooms, the electro and stereotype foundery, and 
 the offices of the Congressional Printer. On the third floor 
 is the bindery, including embossing, numbering, paging, rul- 
 ing, stamping, stitching, marbling, and all other branches. 
 The process of marbling is particularly interesting. On the 
 fourth floor are the stitching and folding rooms and the Con- 
 gressional Record office, with a capacity of working 100 men. 
 The Record, containing the proceedings and debates of Con- 
 gress, now printed at the Public Printing Office, is issued 
 every day at 6 A. M. during the session of Congress. All 
 bills and reports, without regard to length, are delivered in 
 print to Congress the day following their presentation. 
 
 The Public Printing Office is the largest establishment of 
 the kind in the world. The capacity for work is practically 
 without limit. Upwards of 120,000 pages of documentary 
 composition and 1,000,000 volumes of that class of work have 
 been turned out in a single year. The finest works printed 
 here are the Medical and Surgical History of the War ; the 
 reports of the Paris Exposition ; Astronomical Observations 
 of the Naval Observatory; the Census of 1870; the Case of 
 the United States before the Tribunal of Arbitration at Gen- 
 eva, in English, French, and Portuguese ; professional papers 
 of the Bureau of Engineers, War Department ; the Darien 
 and Tehuantepec Ship-canal Expeditions; Hay den's Final 
 Surveys ; Clarence King's Surveys of the 40th Parallel ; the 
 Coast Survey Reports ; and general Catalogues of the Libra- 
 ries of the United States and the Surgeon General's Office. 
 
 Public Printers. — Superintendents, 1853, J. T. Towers, 
 D. C; 1854, A. G. Seaman, Penn.; 1858, G. W. Bowman, 
 Perm. ; 1860, John Heart, Penn.; 1861, J. D. Defrees, Ind. ; 
 1866, C. Wendell, N. Y. Congressional Printers— 1867 ', J. 
 D. Defrees, Ind. ; 1869, A. M. Clapp, N. Y. 
 
 The office is divided into the Composing Department, H. 
 T. Brian, Foreman of Printing; Electro and Stereotyping, 
 A. Elliott, jr., Maurice Joyce; Bindery, J. H. Roberts. 
 
 In 1852 the old contract system of public printing was 
 abolished, and the office of Superintendent of Public Print- 
 ing for each House of Congress was created. The w T ork, 
 though still executed by contract, was then done under the 
 direction of those officers. In 1860 Congress took the public 
 printing in their own handstand in 1867 the office of Super- 
 intendent of Public Printing was abolished, and instead the 
 Senate of the United States was authorized to elect some 
 competent person, a practical printer, to take charge of the 
 Government Printing Office. 
 
170 
 
 winder's building. 
 
 WINDER'S BUILDING. 
 
 This structure {open every day, except Sunday, from 9 a. 
 m. to 3 p. in.) is situated on the N W. corner of F and 17th sts., 
 opposite the Navy Department. It was originally erected 
 for a hotel, and was purchased by the Government for the 
 accommodation of public offices. The first floor is occupied 
 principally by the Chief Engineer of the Army, The last 
 room, No. 2, on the corridor leading to the r. after entering 
 is the Battle Record Room, in which the reports of the battles 
 of the late war are filed and indexed. On the r. of the S. 
 corridor, No. 13, is afle room for the papers belonging to the 
 Adjutant General's Office. The second floor, E. front, is 
 devoted to the Judge Advocate General of the Army, and the 
 S. to the Ordnance Office. The floors above are assigned to 
 the Second Auditor of the Treasury Department. 
 
 Ordnance Museum. — (Open every day, except Sunday, from 
 9 a. m. to 3 p. m.) — This interesting military collection is on 
 the second floor, and may be reached by ascending the steps 
 opposite the main door, and keeping the corridors to the r., 
 passing through the door marked 4 4 Ordnance Office " to door 
 No. 49 on the r. at the farther end of the corridor; crossing 
 this room and the connecting hall we enter the Museum, 
 which occupies a detached building. The collection occupies 
 two fine halls. The most conspicuous object on entering are 
 the captured Confederate flags. They are all more or less 
 associated with the battles of the late civil strife. The other 
 objects of interest are United States Army infantry and cav- 
 alry uniforms and accoutrements complete; section of an 
 oak, which stood inside the Confederate entrenchments near 
 Spottsylvania C. H., and was cut down by musket balls in 
 the attempt to recapture the works carried by 2d Corps A. 
 P., May 12, 1864; Jefferson Davis' rifle, a French piece, 
 taken at the time of his capture in 1865 ; artillery, cavalry, 
 and infantry accoutrements used in the U. S. Army from the 
 earliest date; cheveaux-de-frise from front of Petersburg, 
 Va. ; models and drawings of arsenals ; fuses for exploding 
 shells and cannon ; shells picked up on the battle-fields ; cart- 
 ridge bags for field, siege, and sea-coast artillery, the largest 
 containing 100 lbs. ; projectiles of various sizes, both spherical 
 and rifled, the largest being 20 in. in diameter, and weighing 
 1,000 lbs. ; portable cavalry forge and tools complete ; Gat- 
 ling guns of various sizes, including the " Camel" gun 
 mounted on tripod, and of which large numbers are in use 
 in Egypt ; a Billinghurst and Eequia battery ; a Union or 
 
CITY HALL. 
 
 171 
 
 "coffee-mill" gun ; a steel Whitworth gun, one of a battery 
 from loyal Americans in Europe to the United States in 1861 ; 
 the carriage of a 4 lb. cannon, formerly the property of the 
 city of Vicksburg, fired at a passing steamer several days 
 before any guns were fired at United States forts or troops 
 at Charleston or Pensacola— the gun is at West Point ; breech 
 loaders captured at Richmond; confederate projectiles; 
 models complete, showing mountings of guns in casemate 
 and barbette, also mortars; a gun mounted on a saddle; 
 models of field and siege artillery, caissons, forges, and bat- 
 tery wagons used in the U. S. Army ; life-size models of 
 horse artillery equipments, ordnance rockets, and fireworks. 
 
 On the second floor is the Museum of small arms, in which 
 can be traced then- history from the beginning, and practically 
 illustrating the stages of advancement, embracing breech and 
 muzzle-loaders, muskets, rifles, and carbines, armor 1610, 
 cuirass, and helmet, and other relics from the battle-field of 
 Sedan, 1870, foreign arms and cavalry equipments, Indian 
 war clubs, and ancient weapons and wall pieces, Japanese 
 two-handed sword, worn by Konclo, a provincial officer, visit- 
 ing the U. S. in 1871, presented by Arinori Mori, Charge 
 d' Affairs, and captured Confederate arms. 
 
 DISTRICT COURT-HOUSE, (FORMERLY CITY HALL.) 
 
 DISTRICT COURT HOUSE. 
 
 The City Hall, until 1871, occupied jointly by the munici- 
 pal government of Washington and the United States Courts 
 
172 
 
 ARSENAL. 
 
 for the District of Columbia, in 1873, by purchase, became the 
 sole property of the United States, and is now entirely devoted 
 to judicial purposes. The structure stands on the S. line of 
 Judiciary Square, fronting 4J st. W., and at the intersection 
 of Louisiana and Indiana avs. In the open space in front is 
 a marble column surmounted by a statue of Lincoln by Lot 
 Flannery, a self-taught sculptor. It was erected out of the 
 contributions of a number of patriotic citizens. The building 
 was commenced in 1820, from plans by George Hadfield, the 
 architect of the Capitol. The E. wing was finished in 1826, 
 and the W. in 1849. It is two stories, 47 ft. high, and con- 
 sists of a recessed centre 150 ft. long, with two projecting 
 wings, each 50 ft. front and 166 ft. deep. The entire frontage 
 is 250 ft. The structure is built of freestone painted white. 
 In the centre of the main building, and in each wing, are re- 
 cessed porticos, formed of Doric columns. Between the wings 
 is a paved space. 
 
 AESENAL. 
 
 The arsenal {open from sunrise to sunset) occupies a tract of 
 45 a. at the extreme S. point of the city. It is accessible by 
 the 9th-st. line of the Metropolitan horse railway, the terminus 
 of which is near the gate, at the foot of 4J st. W. The tract 
 originally comprised 28 J a., and included the point of land at 
 the confluence of the Potomac and Anacostia rivers, extend- 
 ing from the former stream to the mouth of James Creek, 
 and N. to T st. S. In 1857 it was extended, by the purchase 
 of the adjoining land on the N., (16 a.,) between the Potomac 
 and the James Creek Canal, to P st. S. 
 
 The grounds are laid out in walks and drives, and entered 
 through a gateway consisting of iron gates swung on 32 and 
 24-pdr. cannon. The guard room is on the L, and on the 
 r. is a 15-in. Rodman gun, and below a pendulum house, in 
 which is a pendulum balance for testing the force of gun- 
 powder. The Chief of Ordnance resides at the end of the 
 main drive, in the large building on the L, and opposite are 
 officers' quarters. The old quarters and shops are at the S. 
 extremity of the grounds, about -§ m. 
 
 The body of Booth, the assassin of President Lincoln, was landed at the 
 small wharf at the S. W. end of the peninsula. It was, with the bodies of the 
 other conspirators, buried in one of the lower cells of the United States Peni- 
 tentiary, erected on the north end of the arsenal grounds, 1826-29. In 1865 the 
 body of Wirz, the Anderson rebel prison-keeper, executed at the old Capitol 
 1865, was also buried here. When the Penitentiary was torn down. 1869, 
 these bodies were removed, Wirz to Mr. Olivet Cemetery, D. C, and Booth 
 co Baltimore. The grounds afford a delightful stroll or drive, with the broad 
 Potomac on the W. and the James Creek Canal on the E. 
 
ARSENAL. 
 
 173 
 
 In the arsenal buildings are military stores of various kinds. There are 
 also officers' quarters, barracks, hospitals bakeries, stables, and machine, 
 carpenter, blacksmith, and painters' shops, lumber storehouses, and two maga- 
 zines for fixed ammunitionand small arm cartridges. The principal maga- 
 zines are on the Anacostia. A detachment and three officers of the ordnance 
 corps are on duty. 
 
 Objects of Inter- 
 est. — In front of the old 
 quarters are a number of 
 captured cannon and 
 mortars, among whrch 
 are two Blakely guns, 
 one inscribed, " Pre- 
 sented to the sovereign 
 State of South Carolina, 
 by one of her citizens re- 
 siding abroad, in com- 
 memoration of the 20 
 of December, i860 ;" a 
 brass gun with a ball in 
 the muzzle, shot there in 
 the battle of Gettysburg; 
 guns surrendered by the 
 British by the Conven- 
 tion of Saratoga, Oct. 
 17, 1777; French guns 
 taken at the battle of 
 Niagara, July 25, 181 4 ; 
 a 64 pounder, captured 
 at Vera Cruz, March 29, 
 1847 ; and guns cap- 
 tured from Cornwallis 
 at Yorktown Oct. 19, 
 1 78 1 : also a number of 
 small guns and mortars, 
 some of date 1756. 
 
 History. — In 1803 a 
 military station was es- 
 tablished on the Arsenal 
 grounds. In 1807 shops 
 were erected. In 1812 
 powder was stored here. 
 In 1813 it became a reg- 
 ular depot of supplies. 
 In 1814 it was destroyed 
 by the British. A num- 
 ber of the latter were 
 killed by the explosion of 
 powdersecretedina well 
 near the quarters. In 
 1815 it was rebuilt under 
 Col. George Bomford. 
 In 1816 buildings were 
 erected by the Ordnance Department. During the rebellion, 1861-65, it was the 
 depot of ordnance supplies for the Army of the Potomac. Large quantities of 
 ammunition and gun carriages were made here. In 1864 twenty-one girls 
 were killed in an explosion of one of the laboratories. Since the war the 
 grounds have been beautified. 
 
174 
 
 NAVY -YARD. 
 
 NAVY-YARD. 
 
 The Navy- Yard {open every day, except Sunday, from 7 a. 
 m. to sunset,) is situated on the Anacostia, f m. SE. of the 
 Capitol, 8th st. E. terminating* at the entrance. It may be 
 reached from the W. portions of the city in the red cars of 
 the Pennsylvania av. st. railway. The officer of the marine 
 guard at the gate will pass visitors. The present grounds 
 comprise about 27 a., and are entered by a stone gateway, in 
 Doric style, over which are small cannou-and-ball embellish- 
 ments, and in the centre a well-executed eagle, resting on an 
 anchor. Inside, on the r., is the guard-room, and opposite 
 the officers' room. An avenue runs S. from the entrance to 
 the building occupied by the Commandant's and other offices 
 of the yard. The Executive officer's room is on the second 
 floor, and from whom a permit may be obtained, which will 
 admit the bearer to any part of the yard, in the workshops, 
 and on board any monitors in the stream. 
 
 Immediately within the entrance^ on either side of the 
 avenue, are two large guns, captured in 1804, by Commodore 
 Decatur from two Tripolitan gunboats. The buildings on 
 the 1. and r. are the officers' quarters: those of the Com- 
 mandant being on the 1. On the 1. of the main avenue are 
 the storehouses, copper-works, &c. ; and on the r. the foundry, 
 machine, and other shops. S. of the Commandant's building 
 are a number of cannon and projectiles : among the former 
 two of 1686 and 1767 date, captured at Norfolk, Va., 1862; 
 several Austrian and French guns, and two Austrian howit- 
 zers, rifled, captured on the steamer Columbia in 1862. 
 
 On the river bank are two ship-houses E. and W. Near 
 the E . is the boat-house, from which a boat may be taken to 
 the monitors, if any, in the stream. More to the W. lies the 
 receiving-ship, the W. ship-house, and a water battery. The 
 large building crowning the hill on the opposite side of the 
 river is the National Asylum for the Insane. The view down 
 the river is very flue. In the W. part of the yard is the Ord- 
 nance-shop and Laboratory. The avenue leading back to- 
 wards the main entrance passes near the Museum, {open from 
 9 a. m. to A, p. m.) On either side of the door are a number of 
 projectiles of the largest size. Among these a 20-in. shot, 
 weighing 1,048 lbs. The gun is on the Rip-raps, Hampton 
 Roads. Here may be seen a number of relics and other ob- 
 jects of interest : a<mong which, on the first floor, are a Span- 
 ish gun, cast about 1490, brought to America by Cortez, and 
 used in the conquest of Mexico ; a Spanish gun captured by 
 Commodore Stockton in California in 1847 ; an old-style re- 
 
NAVY -YARD. 
 
 175 
 
 NAVY-YARD. 
 
 peater ; a small mortar, captured from Lord Cornwallis ; a 
 section of the sternpost of the Kearsarge, showing a shell, 
 which did not explode, fired into it by the Alabama ; confed- 
 erate torpedoes, taken out of southern harbors ; submarine 
 rockets; models of projectiles, and a very interesting col- 
 lection of those which had been fired. On the second floor 
 are principally small arms ; models of cannon ; a model of the 
 ordnance dock, Brooklyn; brass swivels, one very old, said 
 to have belonged to Cortez ; a telescope rifle ; two blunder- 
 busses, and cases of rifles and pistols. The walls and ceil- 
 ings are artistically decorated with pikes, cutlasses, sabres, 
 and pistols. 
 
 History.— On Oct. 30, 1799, the selection of a site for the 
 Navy- Yard was brought to the attention of the commission- 
 ers, and led to considerable correspondence with Naval Agent 
 William Marbury. The ground best suiced for that purpose 
 lay on the Anacostia, a short distance above its confluence 
 with the Potomac, on land owned by Messrs. Carroll and 
 Prout. On Dec. 3, 1799, the Secretary of the Navy gave 
 orders to lay the ground out. The yard, however, was not 
 formally established till the passage of the act of March, 1804. 
 In those early days it was unrivalled. Such famous vessels 
 as the Wasp, Argus, the brig Viper, the Essex, the schoon- 
 ers Shark and Grampus, the sloop of war St. Louis, 24 guns, 
 and frigates Columbia, Potomac, and Brandywine, 44 guns 
 each, were built here. In 1837 it was proposed to establish a 
 
176 
 
 MARINE BARRACKS. 
 
 naval school at the yard. Of late years the yard has lost its 
 prominence for naval construction, owing to the greater fa- 
 cilities presented by more recently-established stations, and 
 the filling np of the channel. In 1816 a ship of the line could 
 anchor here. The yard is now one of the most important for 
 the manufacture of naval supplies. 
 
 MARINE BARRACKS. 
 
 A short distance N. of the Navy-Yard gate, on the E. side 
 of 8th st. E., between G and I sts. S., are the Marine Barracks. 
 The Pennsylvania aw cars (red) for the Navy- Yard pass the 
 iron gate, which is the general entrance. Visitors are admit- 
 ted from 9 a. m, till sundown, but can be passed before that 
 time by the officer of the day. The barracks have a frontage 
 of 700 feet. The centre building, used for officers' quarters, 
 is two stories high, and the wings are one story, with accom- 
 modations for 200 men. The offices of the general staff are 
 opposite, on 9th st. E. On the N. of the square a e the quar- 
 ters of the Brigadier General and Commandant of the Marine 
 Corp?, and opposite, on the S., is the armory and hospital. 
 In the former are some interesting Marine Corps flags. One 
 bears the inscription "From Tripoli to the Halls of the Mon- 
 tezumas" by land and sea; also, a Corean flag captured in 
 battle. 
 
 The most interesting occasion for a visit would be at the 
 time of general inspection on any Monday, weather permit- 
 ting, at 10 a. m., when the Marines and their excellent band 
 may be seen in full parade. Every day at 8 a. m. in summer 
 and 9 a. m. in winter, there is guard mount, the band per- 
 forming. The barracks were burnt by the British in 1814, 
 but were immediately rebuilt. Recruits are sent here for in- 
 struction before being detailed for service on the vessels of the 
 Navy. * 
 
 The Marine Corps was organized in 1798 as an adjunct to 
 the naval establishment, then placed under an independent 
 administration. The corps has participated, with glory to 
 its officers and men, in all the brilliant achievements which 
 have characterized the operations of the Navy of the United 
 States whenever called upon to vindicate the honor of the na- 
 tion. On land the corps has borne itself nobly; and against 
 greatly superior numbers and overcoming grave obstacles, 
 has invariably returned with fresh laurels. In the Tripolitan 
 and Mexican wars, in then- participation in the attack on Fort 
 
MAGAZINES. 
 
 177 
 
 Fisher, in their desperate conflict on the coast of Corea against 
 overwhelming numbers of the barbarous enemy, and in re- 
 peated retaliatory landings on the shores of Asiatic countries 
 and islands of the Pacific, their discipline and bravery have 
 won for them a bright page in the nation's history. The 
 headquarters of the corps are appropriately at the National 
 Capital, being established at the Marine Barracks. The com- 
 mandant or superior officer holds the rank of brigadier gen- 
 eral ; there are also 1 colonel, 2 lieutenant colonels, 4 majors, 
 20 captains, and an increased number of lieutenants. The 
 numerical strength of the corps by law is 2,500 men. 
 
 MAGAZINES. 
 
 The Army and Navy Magazines, to which there is no ad- 
 mittance, occupy about 6 a. in the S. part of reservation No. 
 13, or Hospital Square, situated in the extreme E. part of the 
 city on the Anacostia. They consist of four brick buildings, 
 the two for the Army on the N., and those for the Navy on 
 the S., with a capacity of 2,000 bbls. each. The grounds are 
 tastefully laid out. A sergeant and private and a small detach- 
 ment of marines are on duty. The wharf at the foot of the 
 grounds is used exclusively for the discharge or shipment of 
 powder. In 1873 the Bellville farm, of 90 a., on Oxen creek, 
 with a frontage on the Potomac nearly opposite Alexandria, 
 was purchased for the Naval Magazine, which will be remov- 
 ed from its present location. 
 
 The large quantities of powder usualty stored in these 
 magazines occasions great uneasiness to the inhabitants of 
 the adjacent parts of the city. Frequent measures have been 
 taken to have the magazines removed. That of the Navy will 
 be transferred to its new site as soon as the buildings are 
 ready for use. The Army magazines will doubtless speedily 
 follow. 
 
 12 
 
SECTION I "V . 
 PLACES OF GENERAL INTEREST. 
 
 SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION. 
 
 HE Smithsonian Institution (open daily^ except 
 Sunday, from 9 a. m. to 4 p. m.) occupies a fine 
 site S. of Pennsylvania av., and may be conveniently 
 reached by 10th st. W., the centre of the N. front 
 of the building facing that street . 
 
 Grounds. — The whole area of what are now desig- 
 nated the Smithsonian Grounds — that is, from 7th to 12th st. 
 and between B sts. N. and S., covers 52J acres. The Smith- 
 sonian grounds proper, and which were set apart for the In- 
 stitution in 1846, consist of 20 a., situated in the SW. corner 
 of the larger reservation. At first the charge of the Smith- 
 sonian grounds proper was under the Institution. About 15 
 years ago, however, Congress resumed their supervision. 
 They were then thrown into the extensive and beautiful res- 
 ervation which now surrounds the Institution building. 
 
 The grounds were designed and partially laid out by the 
 distinguished horticulturist and landscape gardener, Andrew 
 Jackson Downing, whose death occurred while in the prose- 
 cution of his plans. They are arranged with lawns, groves, 
 drives, and footways, and are planted with 150 species of 
 trees and shrubs, chiefly American. In the E. portion of the 
 grounds, N. of the E. wing of the building, is a vase of ex- 
 quisite beauty, designed by Calvert Vaux, of Newburg, N. 
 Y., executed by Kobert Launitz, sculptor, of New York, 
 and erected by the American Pomological Society to the 
 memory of Downing, The funds were supplied by friends of 
 the deceased. The principal design of the monument con- 
 sists of a large vase of antique pattern, worked in Italian 
 marble, and resting on a pedestal of the same material. The 
 vase is 4 ft. high and 3 ft. in diameter at the upper rim. The 
 body is ornamented witli arabesque. Acanthus leaves sur- 
 round the lower part. The handles rest on the heads of satyrs. 
 £ods ot proves and woods, and the pedestal on a carved base 
 
 (178 
 
SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION. 
 
 179 
 
 surrounded with a cornioe. On each side is a deep panel, 
 relieved by carved mouldings. In each is an appropriate in- 
 scription. That facing the IS", reads, 4 4 This vase was erected 
 by his friends in memory of Andrew Jackson Downing, who 
 died July 28, 1852, aged thirty-seven years. He was born 
 and lived and died on the Hudson river." On the base of 
 the pedestal are the words, 44 This memorial was erected 
 under a resolution passed at Philadelphia, in September, 
 1852, by the American Pomological Society, of which Mr. 
 Downing was one of the original founders. Marshall P. 
 Wilder, President." The whole monument, with the granite 
 plinth, is 9J ft. high, and cost $1,600. 
 
 Description. — The style of architecture of the Smithsonian 
 Building, designed by James Renwick, Jr., of 1ST. Y., is Nor- 
 man, and chronologically belongs to the end of the 12th cen- 
 tury, representing the rounded at the time of merging into the 
 Gothic. It is the first unecclesiastical structure of that period 
 ever built in the United States. The building compares favor- 
 
 SMITHSONIAX INSTITUTION. 
 
 ably with the best examples of the styles, variously called the 
 Norman, the Lombard, the Romanesque, and the Byzantine. 
 The semi-circular arch still is used throughout in doors, win- 
 dows, and other openings. The windows are without elabo- 
 rately traceried heads. The weather mouldings consist of 
 corbel courses with bold projections. It has towers of various 
 
180 
 
 SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION. 
 
 sizes and shapes. The main entrance from the N., sheltcrea 
 by a carriage porch, is between two towers of beautifully 
 symmetrical proportions and unequal height. The general 
 design consists of a main centre building, two stories high and 
 two wings of a single story, connected by intervening ranges, 
 each having a cloister on the IS", with open stone screen. In 
 the centre of the N. side of the main building are two towers, 
 the higher one 145 ft. On the S. is a single massive tower 37 
 ft. square, including the buttress, and 91 ft. high. On the 
 NE. corner is a double campanile 17 ft. square and 117 ft. to 
 the top of its fmial. At the SW. corner is an octagonal tower 
 finished with open work in the upper portions. At the SW. 
 and NW. corners are two smaller towers. There are 9 tow- 
 ers in all, including the small ones at each wing. 
 
 The extreme length of the building from E . to W., includ- 
 ing the porch of the E. wing, is 447 ft. The breadth of the 
 centre of the main building and towers, including carriage 
 porch, is 1G0 ft. The E. wing is 82 by 52 ft., and 42 J ft. high 
 to the top of its battlement. The W. wing, inclusive of its 
 projecting apsis, is 84 by 40 ft., and 38 ft. high. Each con- 
 necting range, inclusive of cloister, is 60 by 49 ft. The main 
 building is 205 by 57 ft. and to the top of the corbel courses 
 58 ft. high. 
 
 The material used is a variety of freestone found in the new 
 red sandstone formation, about 23 m. distant from Washing- 
 ton, in the vicinity of the point where Seneca creek empties 
 into the Potomac river. It is the same, though brought from 
 a different locality, as that used in the construction of Trinity 
 church of Kew York city. The building throughout is con- 
 structed in the most durable manner. The foundation walls 
 vary from 12 to 8 ft. at the base to 5 ft. at the top. The walls 
 of the main building, above the water table, are 2 J ft. for the 
 first story, and 2 ft. for the second, exclusive of "buttresses, 
 corbel courses, and other exterior projections, and exclusive 
 of the interior lining of brick. The walls of the wings are 2 
 ft. thick. Groined arches are turned under the central, the 
 campanile, and octagonal towers, and towers of the W. wing. 
 The copings, cornices, battlements, window jambs, mullions, 
 sills, and all stone work, is held b}^ iron clamps leaded. The 
 face of the building is finished in ashlar, laid in courses 10 to 
 15 in. in height, and with an average bed of 9 in. The whole 
 of the centre building is fireproof, and the two wings and 
 ranges practically so. The roofs are of slate laid on iron. 
 
 The Smithsonian Institution proper has two chief lines of 
 action : I. To stimulate the preparation of original woi^ks in 
 general and special science: to publish and to distribute them 
 judiciously and promptly to all the scientific centres of the 
 
SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION. 
 
 181 
 
 world, through a system of international exchanges, now the 
 most complete on the globe. The Institution also distributes 
 abroad, free of expense, the publications of scientific and 
 historical societies when sent to them. It lias ten agents of 
 its own, and is in correspondence with 2,400 institutions 
 abroad. The publications of the Smithsonian are the u Con- 
 tributions to Knowledge," u Miscellaneous," and "Annual 
 Reports" — the latter to Congress. 
 
 II. Meteorological investigations. These have been pros- 
 ecuted over a quarter of a century, and reports are now re- 
 ceived from over 600 stations, in all parts of the Western 
 Hemisphere. The observations relate solely to the general 
 laws of climatology of the continent. The Institution has 
 also patronized and aided the cause of science and explora- 
 tion, both in the efforts of the Government and private indi- 
 viduals. It has also co-operated with the other departments 
 of the Government. Its valuable library has been incorpo- 
 rated with that of Congress. The extensive herbarium, on 
 condition of approving the botanist in charge, has been 
 transferred to the Department of Agriculture, and all the 
 crania and other osteological specimens to the Army Medical 
 Museum. In return, from the latter it receives from the 
 officers of the army all collections made in ethnology and in 
 special branches of natural history. 
 
 National Museum. — {Open every day, except Sunday, from 
 9 a. m. to 4 p. m.) — This national collection is in the charge of 
 the Smithsonian Institution, though it is supported by the 
 United States. Its origin was under the act establishing that 
 Institution, and its head is the Secretary,. Professor Joseph 
 Henry, though the active supervision has been assigned by 
 him to Prof. Spencer F. Baird, Assistant Secretary. 
 
 With the limited means at command, it was found imprac- 
 ticable to expect an extensive general museum. The efforts 
 of the manager of that offshoot of the Institution, therefore, 
 were directed to the accumulation of material from the Amer- 
 ican continent. The act of organization contributed, as the 
 foundation of the museum, the collections of specimens 
 brought back by the United States exploring expedition to the 
 Southern Hemisphere, under Captain (Rear Admiral) Charles 
 Wilkes, originally deposited in the Patent Office. It was trans- 
 ferred to the Institution in 1858. Since that time the collec- 
 tion has been increased by the type specimens from upwards 
 of fifty subsequent expeditions of the General Government, 
 and contributions resulting from the operations of the Insti- 
 tution, besides a large number of donations from individuals. 
 The articles represent all parts of the globe and every branch 
 
182 
 
 SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION. 
 
 of natural history. The collection of the larger North Amer- 
 ican and European mammals, both skins and skeletons, is the 
 most complete in the United States. In ethnological speci- 
 mens of this continent it surpasses anything in the world. In 
 other respects it ranks favorably with the collections of the 
 Philadelphia Academy of Natural Sciences and the Cambridge 
 Museum. 
 
 The collections of the Museum are undergoing rearrange- 
 ment, occasioned by the fitting up of the hall on the second 
 floor. The arrangement contemplated is the exclusive use of 
 the lower main hall for the zoological department. The Gothic 
 hall containing ethnological specimens to economical geol- 
 ogy, and the W. hall to mineralogy and geology. The latter 
 is now finally arranged. In the space on either side of the 
 entrance, at the foot of the stairways, will be placed a large 
 and valuable collection of plaster casts of the food fishes of 
 the United States, made under the direction of Prof. S. F. 
 Baird, United States Fish Commissioner. The second floor, 
 now being fitted with cases, will contain the extraordinarily 
 large ethnological collection relating to the native tribes of 
 North America, ancient and modern, and the rich store of 
 specimens of the same character, from the Feejee, Samoan, 
 Viti, and Sandwich Islands, at the time of the visit of the 
 Wilkes exploring expedition. 
 
 Main Hall.— This hall is 200 ft. long, 50 ft. wide, and 25 ft. 
 high. The ceiling is supported on two rows of columns. 
 Around the hall, against the railings of the galleries, are the 
 heads, complete or skeleton, of various larger animals. That 
 at the W. end is of a buffalo, an excellent specimen. Opposite 
 the entrance is the Register, in which visitors are requested 
 to record their names. Near by, on the r., is a specimen of 
 the great auk killed on the island of Eldey, near Iceland, in 
 1834, believed to be extinct, not having been seen alive since 
 1844. Owing to its short wings, it was incapable of flight. 
 But two other specimens of the bird, and but one other of the 
 egg, is in the United States. 
 
 Commencing on the 1. of the main entrance, the first case 
 contains carniverous animals, the next two birds of foreign 
 countries, two of birds of North America, and one of foreign 
 countries. The table cases between contain shells, and the 
 wall cases skeletons and alcoholic specimens. The table 
 cases in the centre of the room are filled with a fine collec- 
 tion of birds' nests and eggs. In the lower part of the first 
 are specimens of ostrich eggs, and a cast of the egg of the 
 giant fossil bird of Madagascar. The end wall cases are 
 empty, but will, in the rearrangement of the museum, be 
 
SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION. 
 
 183 
 
 filled with zoological specimens. In the S. range of cases 
 the first two contain birds of North America, the next three 
 of foreign countries, and the last seals, fish, and alligators. 
 The table cases between are devoted to shells, and those 
 against the wall to alcoholic specimens. The cases in the 
 galleries of the E. part of the Hall contain skeletons of birds. 
 
 In the W. half of the Hall, resuming the S. range of cases, 
 the first contains mammals, including a musk ox, female 
 chimpanzee, and a cast of a gorilla's head, the next two 
 mammals, and the rest corals. The table cases between ex- 
 hibit ethnological and those against the wall ethnological 
 and alcoholic specimens. 
 
 In one of the recesses in the S. range, in a large jar, is a 
 specimen of the devilfish from California. When expanded, 
 it measures 8 ft. in diameter. Its shape is that of a star with 
 eight points. In another recess on the same side are exhibi- 
 tions of beaver cuttings. 
 
 On the r., entering the main N. door, the first case contains 
 mammals, embracing the deer and antelope families. Here 
 are excellent specimens of the Kocky Mountain sheep and 
 goat. The next embraces birds of North America, and the 
 remaining four on the same side birds of foreign countries. 
 The table cases between contain ethnological and the wall 
 alcoholic specimens. 
 
 The first table case in the centre of the W. portion of the 
 Hall is devoted to shells above and shells of turtles below. 
 In the second are ethnological specimens relating to the 
 American Indians. On the E. end of this case is the head 
 of a Peruvian chief, compressed by an unknown method, 
 very rare. 
 
 In the gallery cases are birds and ethnological specimens. 
 Against the W. wall, is a case of fish casts and three of 
 birds. We here enter the 
 
 Gothic Hall. — This Hall receives its name from the style of 
 architecture used, and contains ethnological specimens and 
 relics, and other articles of historic interest. It is proposed 
 during the present year to make a general rearrangement of 
 the collections of the National Museum. This Hall will then 
 be assigned to economic geology. The portrait over the W. 
 door represents General Washington, painted by the elder 
 Peale. The painting was shipped to Europe and captured 
 by a French privateer, taken to France, where it was pur- 
 chased and returned to the United States, and ultimately 
 came into the possession of the National Institute. 
 
 In the N. range are the collections representing the Auieri- 
 
184 
 
 SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION. 
 
 can Indians and Esquimaux of Greenland. In the wall case 
 on the W. is the suit and rifle used by Dr. Kane in his Arctic 
 exploration ; also the shot gun and rifle used by Captain Hall, 
 and rifle of Esquimaux Joe. 
 
 On the S. are the collections relating to China, Japan, Mus- 
 cat, and Siam. 
 
 In the E. table case are a number of relics and other ob- 
 jects of historical interest. Among these is a fine collection 
 of medals awarded to military and naval officers of the Revo- 
 lution and subsequent wars ; copies of royal seals of gold and 
 silver, presented by William Blackmore, of London; a few 
 odd specimens of the Denon and American medals destroyed 
 in the fire at the Library of the United States ; locks of hair 
 of Presidents of the United States; the razor of Captain 
 Cook, the navigator; one of the bolts to which Columbus 
 was chained ; part of the machinery of the first steamboat 
 built by James Rumsey, of Shepherdstown, Va., 1786 ; Chi- 
 nese paper money, Japanese manuscript, an interesting 
 specimen of handwriting in Greek, arranged in book form ; 
 and treaties with Turkey, Sweden, Spain, Austria, Prussia, 
 France, Russia, and England, and the seal of the United 
 States. Among the treaties is the first between France and 
 the United States, 1778, and Bonaparte, 1st Consul, 1803. In 
 the same case below is an assortment of old arms from the 
 Malayan Peninsula and China ; also arms of historical inter- 
 est. 
 
 On the W. table case is a collection illustrating the pre-his- 
 toric period in Europe, embracing man of the drift, reindeer, 
 lake dwelling, and shell heap period, down to that of chipped 
 and polished stone implements. Among the interesting fea- 
 tures of this period are specimens relating to the lake-dwell- 
 ing period in Switzerland, and breccia of the reindeer period 
 in England; also, a model of Stonehenge, in that country; 
 also, bones from Patagonia, and Indian implements. In the 
 same case below are a number of relics of the Franklin, Fro- 
 bisher, Kane, and Hall North Polar expeditions. 
 
 At the end of the hall is an original tablet containing a high 
 order of Mexican hieroglyphics. Beyond the Gothic is the 
 
 West Hall, a fine, well lighted apartment, and assigned to 
 the mineralogical cabinet of the National Museum, divided 
 into four sections : 
 
 I. General Mineralogical Collection, occupying the S. and 
 the S. end of the E. walls. This embraces 300 species of 
 minerals from all parts of the world, and contains many very 
 beautiful specimens. 
 
 II. General Lithological Collection, occupying the entire 
 
SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION. 
 
 185- 
 
 W. wall, and composed mainly of specimens brought back by 
 the various Government exploring expeditions within the 
 United States and W. of the Mississippi river, and also sev- 
 eral European series. 
 
 III. Ore Collection, on the 1ST. end of the E. wall, and em- 
 bracing ores from a large number of lodes in the Western 
 States and Territories. It is proposed to obtain for this col- 
 lection a specimen of every worked lode W. of the Mississippi, 
 which would then be valuable as a means of comparing ores. 
 
 IV. Metallurgical Collection, in the center of the E. wall, 
 embraces ores, slags, raw and commercial products, present- 
 ing the various interests of this character in the United 
 States and foreign countries. 
 
 Against the N. wall, E. side, is a case containing an inter- 
 esting collection of geyserites from the National Park on the 
 Yellowstone, gathered by the Hayden Exploring Expedi- 
 tion. It is the best and most valuable series of the kind in 
 existence. At the S. end of the hall, the table case contains 
 the Polaris Collection, made by Dr. Emil Bessels during the 
 United States North Polar Expedition, 1870-73. All the 
 specimens were gathered above 80° N. latitude. The ham- 
 mer and piece of powder canister belonged to Capt. Parry's 
 Expedition in 1821. He lost his ships on Fury Beach. The 
 next table case on the N. contains stalactites and a very fine 
 specimen of sulphur from Sicily. The third table contains 
 minerals from different foreign countries. 
 
 In the centre of the hall is a large group of mineral speci- 
 mens, including the Irwin-ainsa Meteorite, from Tucson, Ari- 
 zona, weighing 1,400 lbs. It is of ring shape, and measures 
 49 in. in exterior diameter, and 27 in. in opening. The thickest 
 part is 17 in. wide. A large mass of native copper from On- 
 tonagon, Lake Superior, in early days used by the Indians 
 as a sacrificial altar, and estimated to weigh over 3,000 lbs,. 
 The Couch Meteorite, found by Lieut. D. St. Couch, United 
 States Army, in Coahuila, Northern Mexico, and weighing 
 250 lbs. It was used as an anvil. The rest of the same 
 group is made up of coals, fossil woods from the Rocky 
 Mountains, cinnabar from California, and stalactites and 
 other interesting specimens from different parts. 
 
 A card explaining the system of labelling will be found in 
 the hall. The arrangement of the collection was made by 
 Dr. F. M. Endlich, of Pen n., mineralogist of the Institution. 
 
 Returning to the main hall, opposite the main 1ST. entrance, 
 is the 
 
 S. Vestibule, which contains a number of foreign anti- 
 quities. In the centre is the marble Sarcophagus, brought 
 
186 
 
 SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION. 
 
 to the United States on the frigate Constitution by Commo- 
 dore Jesse D. Elliott, in 1839, from Beirut, Syria. It was 
 originally the repository of the remains of the Koman Em- 
 peror Alexander Severus. The Sarcophagus was intended 
 for the tomb of General Andrew Jackson, and for that pur- 
 pose it was offered in 1845 by Commodore Elliott, but the 
 General replied: u I cannot consent that my mortal body 
 shall be laid in a repository prepared for an emperor or a 
 Mag; my republican feelings and principles forbid it; the 
 simplicity of our system of government forbids it. Every 
 monument erected to perpetuate the memory of our heroes 
 and statesmen ought to bear evidence of the economy and sim- 
 plicity of our republican institutions, and the plainness of our 
 republican citizens, who are the sovereigns of our glorious 
 Union, and whose virtue is to perpetuate it." 
 
 The small marble tablet is from the temple erected by 
 Miltiades on the plains of Marathon, in honor of his victory 
 over the Persians, 490 B. C. 
 
 In the collection of idols from Central America, the largest, 
 carved in black basalt, and that with a Sphinx-like head-dress, 
 are from the island of Momotombita, in Lake Manaqua. One 
 of the others was used by the Indians of the Pueblo of Sub- 
 tiava, and two are from the island of Zapatero, in Lake 
 Nicaraugua, once the site of the greatest of all the temples 
 •of the aboriginal people. There are also a cast of an ancient 
 carved stone at Palenque Chiapas, Mexico, the hieroglyphics 
 of which have not yet been fully read, and a plank and speci- 
 men of bark from the giant redwood tree of California. The 
 plank is 12 ft. long and 6J- ft. wide. 
 
 Leaving the main hall by the 1ST. door, the double flight of 
 steps lead to the Ethnological Hall, on the second floor, being 
 fitted up with walnut cases for the display of the Ethnologi- 
 cal collections of the museum. This hall is of the same di- 
 mensions as that on the first floor. In the centre is a cast of 
 the extinct megatherium, found at Buenos Ayres, the largest 
 type of the sloth family of the pre-historic age. It is sur- 
 rounded by an iron railing with cappings of the existing 
 types of the same family. On the E. is a cast of a glypto- 
 don, now extinct, the largest representative of the armadillo 
 family. In a corresponding position on the W. is the cast of 
 a giant turtle found in the Himalaya mountains. In the hall, 
 temporarily, are specimens of the extinct Irish elk, a skeleton, 
 and a cast of the animal restored, a buffalo and two skeletons, 
 a moose and one skeleton, a tapir and two skeletons, a gnu, 
 deer, and reindeer, and skeletons of a camel and Kocky- 
 mountain sheep. Also other animals, and varieties of sharks, 
 sword and torpedo fish, and walrus. Also two kyacks. 
 
SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION. 
 
 187 
 
 Secretaries of the Smithsonian Institution. — 1846, Joseph 
 Henry. 
 
 History, — The original fund which led to the foundation 
 of the Smithsonian Institution was the bequest of James 
 Smithson, of England, amounting to $515,169. The founder 
 belonged to one of the best families of England. He was 
 the son of Hugh, first Duke of Northumberland, and Eliza- 
 beth, heiress of Hungerfords of Audley and niece of Charles 
 the Proud, Duke of Somerset. He was a native of London, 
 was educated at Oxford, and took an honorary degree there 
 in 1786. At the university he was known as James Lewis 
 Macie, and a few years after leaving took that of Smithson, 
 the family name of the Northumberlands. His life was 
 mostly spent on the continent of Europe, where he died at 
 Genoa in 1828. He was particularly known to the scientific 
 world as a skillful chemist, mineralogist, and geologist, on 
 each of which subjects he contributed valuable papers. He 
 was never married, and hence devoted his entire life to the 
 cultivation of his taste for knowledge. He held a high ap- 
 preciation of mental endowments, usefully applied, and 
 claimed that though in his veins coursed the best blood of 
 England his name would outlive that of his ancestors, who 
 possessed inherited titles and honors only. It is stated that 
 at one time he contemplated leaving his money to the Eoyal 
 Society of London, but owing to a disagreement vested it in 
 his nephew, Henry James Hungerford, for life, after which 
 it was to go to the United States of America u to found, at 
 Washington, under the name of the Smithsonian Institution, 
 an establishment for the increase and diffusion of knowledge 
 among men." The Government of the United States, by act 
 of Congress of July 1, 1836, accepted the bequest. In the 
 same year Richard Rush, of Pennsylvania, who had been 
 Minister of the United States at the court of King George 
 IV, from 1817 to 1825, was designated Commissioner to as- 
 sert and prosecute the claim of the United States to the 
 legacy. Having obtained the available amount of the be- 
 quest lie brought it to the United States. It was deposited 
 in the Treasury of the United States and invested. 
 
 The permanent Smithson fund in the Treasury of the 
 United States, including the original bequest, residuary 
 legacy, and savings, and bearing 6 per cent, interest, paya- 
 ble semi-annually in coin, is $650,000. In addition to this, 
 out of the savings, $450,000 were expended in the erection of 
 a building. The expenses of the Institution are paid out of 
 the income from the permanent fund, and the National Mu- 
 seum by appropriations by Congress. 
 
188 
 
 SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION. 
 
 The Institution was legally constituted by act of Congress 
 dated August 10, 1846. The administration of affairs was 
 intrusted to a Board of Regents, who elected a Secretary, 
 charged with the management of the business under then- 
 direction. 
 
 The corner-stone of the building was laid May 1, 1847. 
 President Polk and his Cabinet and a large number of citi- 
 zens and strangers were present on the occasion. The cere- 
 mony was conducted by the fraternity of Masons, the Grand 
 Master in charge wearing the apron presented by the Grand 
 Lodge of France to Washington through Lafayette. The 
 gavel employed was that used by Washington upon the lay- 
 ing of the corner-stone of the Capitol of the United States. 
 The orator of the clay was the Hon. George M. Dallas, of 
 Pennsylvania. The building was not entirelv completed till 
 1856, and at a cost of $450,000. 
 
 The first use of the main hall on the ground floor was for an exhibition given 
 by the Mechanics' Institute of Washington in 1856. The next year the build- 
 ing was regularly occupied, by the transfer to it of the Government collections 
 in the Patent Office, as provided by the act of organization, and which pre- 
 viously had belonged to the National Institute for the Promotion ot Science, 
 founded in 1840, incorporated 1842, and expired 1858. On the 24th of Jan., 
 1865, the Institution suffered a serious calamity, in the destruction of all the 
 flammable material of the upper portion of the main building and towers by 
 fire. The losses were of a character, in many instances, which could not be 
 replaced, and included the official, scientific and miscellaneous correspond- 
 ence record-books, and manuscripts in the Secretary's office, aparatus, per- 
 sonal effects of Smithscn. tools and instruments, all duplicate copies of 
 Smithsonian reports on hand for distribution, and the wood-cuts of illustra- 
 tions used in the Smithsonian publications ; also all of a gallery of Indian por- 
 traits and other private property. The operations of the Institution, however, 
 were not impaired, and the destroyed parts of the building were restored in 
 their present fire-proof condition. There was a long controversy as to the 
 policy of the Institution. The Government party favored a national library, 
 to contain all the trashy productions of the day. This the scientific party 
 warded off, and devoted themselves to works in keeping with the spirit of the 
 bequest. A general museum was also to be formed. This was probably a less 
 practicable enterprise than the former. Capital and income combined were 
 not sufficient to make anything worthy of the name. The foundation of a 
 gallery of art on the means at command was also an absurdity. A few 
 plaster casts and pictures, without any claims to the notice of an intelligent 
 student or admirer of art, were accumulated, and fortunately for the reputation 
 of the Institution, were destroyed in the fire of 1865. 
 
 In t866, by act of Congress, the library of the Institution, comprising a 
 large and valuable collection of scientific works and transactions of societies in 
 all parts of the world, was transferred to the Library of Congress. 
 
 The free lectures, originally contemplated prior to 1865, were patronized 
 with more or less ardor, but their novelty soon languished. After 1865 they 
 were finally abandoned, and assistance rendered to an association of citizens. 
 
 With the progress of time the Smithsonian Institution has become a kind of 
 central head with reference to communication with the scientific institutions 
 and societies of other countries. 
 
CORCORAN GALLERY OF ART. 
 
 189 
 
 THE CORCORAN GALLERY OF ART. 
 
 CORCORAN GALLERY OF ART. 
 
 The Gallery is open Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, 
 admission 25 c; Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, free ; 
 hours, 10 a. m. to 4 p. m.from October to April, and 10 a. m. 
 to 6 p. m.from April to October. The building stands on the 
 NE. corner of Pennsylvania av. and 17th st., and was com- 
 menced in 1859. From 1861 to 1869 it was occupied by the 
 Quartermaster General of the United States Army. 
 
 It is in the renaissance style, and has a frontage of 104 ft. on 
 Pennsylvania av., and 124 J ft. on 17th st. The exterior is 
 constructed of brick, with facings, trimmings, and ornaments 
 of Belleville freestone. The front on Pennsylvania av. is 
 divided into a central pavilion, with a curtain on either side, 
 and flanked by two other pavilions, one on either corner, 
 and divided into two stories. The central pavilion has ver- 
 miculated quoins in the corner, and these inclose the grand 
 entrance door with a carved jamb and arch, overtopped with 
 fierce tigers' heads, in relievo. The anticom of the first story 
 is simple in design and detail, and at the same time corre- 
 sponds with the massiveness of the quoins at the corners of 
 the building. 
 
 The second story of the central pavilion consists of an 
 arched recess. The span between the import and the sufiit 
 of the arch is filled with decorations, and contains the mono- 
 gram of the founder, surrounded with carved wreaths and 
 enscrollments. Just beneath this there is a palladium win- 
 
190 
 
 CORCORAN GALLERY OF ART. 
 
 (low, with fluted pilasters and columns and capitals, express- 
 ing American foliage, exquisitively carved. In the arch are 
 two wreaths, encircling various implements of painting and 
 sculpture. 
 
 The central pavilion is flanked on either side by two fluted 
 columns, with capitals representing the broad leaves and 
 fruit of the cornstalk. These support an entablature, on 
 which are trophies, representing the Arts, on the frieze of 
 the central pavilion ; and on this are inscribed the words, 
 u Dedicated to Art/' The cornice over this has a pediment, 
 in the tympanum of which is a bass relief, representing the 
 Genius of Painting, surrounded by figures emblematical of 
 the sister arts. 
 
 The entire structure is surrounded by an imposing Man- 
 sard roof, slated, and carried 10 ft. higher than the ordinary 
 roof of the building. The architects were James Renwick, 
 Jr., and R. T. Auctimuty, of N. Y. The cost of the building 
 was $150,000. 
 
 The entrance is on Pennsylvania av., and opens into a ves- 
 tibule 25 ft. by 28 ft., from which lead the broad stairs to the 
 second story. These stairs are of freestone, 10 ft. wide. On 
 each side are passages 8 J ft. wide, and leading to the sculp- 
 ture hall. The stairs and halls are lighted by two courts. 
 
 The vestibule to the sculpture hall is 19 ft. wide by 28 ft. 
 long, with two spacious bay windows at the ends. The 
 sculpture hall itself is 96J ft. long by 25 ft. wide, and is 
 amply lighted by 10 windows. 
 
 The janitor's apartments are on the r. of the main vesti- 
 bule, and just behind them, and connecting with the main 
 sculpture hall, are two rooms, one 19 ft. by 43 J ft., the other 
 19 ft. square. These rooms can be used for a school of de- 
 sign, which it is proposed to establish. 
 
 On the 1. of the vestibule is the trustees' room, 25 ft. by 33 
 ft., and adjoining is the library, 20 ft. by 65 ft. These gal- 
 leries are connected by spacious arched doors. 
 
 The picture galleries are on the second floor. The main 
 stairs open into a hall 28 ft. wide by 42 J ft. long, on either 
 side of which are small galleries. The grand picture gallery, 
 entered at the head of the stairs, is 45 ft. wide by 96 ft. long. 
 There are three small galleries fronting on Pennsylvania av., 
 the centre one, being an octagon, is 25 ft. The other two 
 are 25 ft. by 32 ft. In the rear of these, and extending along 
 the sides of the building, are two galleries, 19 J ft. by 43 J ft. 
 
 All these galleries are lighted by sky-lights, and are so ar- 
 ranged that the quantity can be regulated as desired. These 
 galleries are connected with each other by lofty arched doors, 
 thus affording a continuous passage around the floor. The 
 
CORCORAN GALLERY OF ART. 
 
 191 
 
 cornices and ceilings of the various galleries are enriched 
 with panel ornaments and moldings representing American 
 foliage. The floors are laid on brick arches, which rest on 
 iron girders. 
 
 The building was formally conveyed by the donor, W. W.- 
 Corcoran, Esq., of Washington, to a board of trustees in 
 1869, who were incorporated in 1870. 
 
 The basis of the collection of paintings and statuary is the 
 rare and valuable private gallery of Mr. Corcoran, which cost 
 upwards of $100,000. The collections comprise — 
 
 In Statuary, Powers' Greek Slave, in the octagon room, 
 second floor, fitted up with reference to the special exhibition 
 of this very superior work of art. In the same room are 
 busts of celebrated men, and other objects of interest. 
 
 In Bronzes, on the first floor, two thirds of all the bronzes 
 produced by Barye, numbering about 70 pieces. 
 
 In Antiquities, reproductions of vases, cups, dishes, &c, 
 discovered in an excavation made at Hildersheim on the site 
 of a former Koman camp. 
 
 Of the Paintings, in the grand hall on the second floor, of . 
 the private collection of Mr. Corcoran, donated to the gallery, 
 may be mentioned, "The Adoration of the Shepherds," by 
 Mengs, from the collection of Joseph Bonaparte ; 44 The Flag- 
 ellation of Christ," attributed to Van Dyke ; an unknown 
 Flemish picture, 44 0ra et Labora," dated 1619; 44 The Vil- 
 lage Doctor," by Vennemen; 44 The Happy and Unhappy 
 Families," by Brackaleer ; a small Madonna and child, sup- 
 posed to be by Murillo ; a beautiful representation of a storm, 
 castle on a promontory, fishermen puzzled over their nets, by 
 Joseph Vernet ; copy of Bega's 44 Child and Nurse ; " a paint- 
 ing by George Morland, representing a countryman coming 
 home at sunset; 44 Shakspeare and His Friends," by Faed; 
 44 Mercy's Dream," by Huntingdon; 44 The Hudson in Au- 
 tumn," by Doughty; 44 The Departure and the Return," by 
 Cole, very superior ; 44 The Amazon," by Leutze ; 44 Milton," 
 (playing the organ to Cromwell and his family,) by Leutze ; 
 4t The Huguenot's Daughter," by Washington ; 44 Moonrise at 
 Madeira," by Hildebrandt, painted for Mr. Corcoran through 
 the instrumentality of Baron v. Humboldt ; a 44 Winter Scene," 
 by Gignoux ; portraits of Washington, after Gilbert Stuart, 
 and Lafayette, by Sully ; Lasteyrie, by Rembrandt Peale ; 
 Thomas Sully, the artist, by himself ; Baron Humboldt, by 
 Madame Richards, and Henry Clay, by Inman. 
 
 Among the paintings added by purchase are, 4 'The Death 
 of Cassar," by Jerome; 44 Comte de Wirtemberg Weeping 
 over the Body of his Son," by Ary Sheffer, (the original •) 
 44 Spring" and 44 Twilight, landscapes, by Japy, (Louis;) 
 
192 WASHINGTON NATIONAL MONUMENT. 
 
 44 La puit qui parle," by Vely ; " Spring Flowers," by Jean- 
 nin; 44 Lost Dogs," by Von Thoren ; 44 Two Flowers," by 
 Conder ; 44 Sunset," by Breton ; 44 Effect of Snow," by Breton; 
 ^ 4 The Drought in Egypt," by Portael, which won the prize 
 gold medal in the competition of i873 at the Crystal Palace. 
 
 Opposite the main door of the picture gallery is a line life- 
 size portrait of Mr. Corcoran at 69 years of age, founder of 
 the Institution, painted by Charles Elliott in 1867. 
 
 Mr. Corcoran was born in Georgetown, in 1798, and re- 
 ceived his education there. He began business as an auction- 
 eer and commission merchant. In 1S37 he became a banker in 
 Washington. In 1840 he became associated with George W. 
 Riggs, and retired from business in 1854. Mr. Corcoran still 
 enjoys excellent health. 
 
 Among the interesting objects ordered are plaster copies of 
 about two-thirds of the Elgin marbles in the British Museum ; 
 a, collection of porcelain and Fayance manufacture ; copies of 
 the Baptistry Gates at Florence ; and antiques being cast in 
 plaster in Paris and Rome. 
 
 WASHINGTON NATIONAL MONUMENT. 
 
 This long-neglected tribute to the life and character of 
 George Washington, occupies a conspicuous site on a small 
 plateau near the banks of the Potomac, W. of the Mall, where 
 the Tiber formerly emptied into the main stream, and S. of 
 the President's House. 
 
 The Monument Grounds, or Park, as originally designated, 
 have an area of 45 a. An avenue 69 ft wide connects Execu- 
 tive av. with the Drive which, leaving the lake on the 1., fol- 
 lows the line of the river bank, winds around the Monument, 
 and communicates with the grounds of the Department of 
 Agriculture at 14th st. W. A short distance W. of the Mon- 
 ument may be seen the stone which marks the centre of the 
 District of Columbia. On the hillside to the S. are the Gov- 
 ernment Propagating Garden and Nursery. 
 
 The Design.— The design of the Monument, prepared by 
 Robert Mills, comprehencfs an appropriate National testimo- 
 nial to the services of the great citizen in whose honor it was 
 founded, and at the same time symbolizes the Republic estab- 
 lished by his patriotism and discretion. It embraces the idea 
 of a grand circular colonnaded building, 250 ft. in diameter, 
 
WASHINGTON NATIONAL MONUMENT. 1 93 
 
 and 100 ft. high, from which springs an 
 obelisk shaft 70 ft. at the base and 500 
 ft. high. 
 
 The vast rotunda, forming the grand 
 base of the monument, is surrounded by 
 30 columns of massive proportions, be- 
 ing 12 ft. in diameter and 45 ft. high, 
 elevated upon a lofty base or stylobate 
 of 20 ft. elevation and 300 ft. square, 
 surmounted by an entablature 20 ft. 
 high, and crowned by a massive balus- 
 trade 15 ft. in height. 
 
 The terrace outside of the colonnade 
 is 25 ft. wide, and the pronaos or walk 
 within the colonnade, including the col- 
 umn space, 25 ft. The walks inclosing 
 the cella, or gallery within, are fretted 
 with 30 massive pilasters 10 ft. wide, 45 
 ft. high, and 7J ft. projection, answer- 
 ing to the columns in front, surmounted 
 Washington monument. b y their appropriate architrave. The 
 deep recesses formed by the projection 
 of the pilasters provide suitable niches for the reception of 
 statues. 
 
 A tetrastyle portico, (four columns in front,) in triple rows 
 of the same proportions and order with the columns of the 
 colonnade, distinguishes the entrance to the monument, and 
 serves as a pedestal for the triumphal car and statue of the 
 illustrious chief. The steps to this portico are flanked by 
 massive blockings, surmounted by appropriate figures and 
 trophies. 
 
 Over each column, in the great frieze of the entablatures, 
 around the entire building, are sculptured escutcheons, (coats 
 of arms of each State in the Union,) surrounded by bronze 
 civic wreaths, banded together by festoons of oak leaves, &c, 
 all of which spring (each way) from the centre of the portico, 
 where the coat of arms of the United States is emblazoned. 
 
 The statues surrounding the rotunda outside, under the 
 colonnade, are all elevated upon pedestals, and will be those 
 of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. 
 
 Ascending the portico outside to the terrace level a lofty 
 vomitoria, (doorway,) 30 ft. high, leads into the cella, (rotunda 
 gallery,) 50 ft. wide, 500 ft. hi circumference, and 08 ft. high, 
 with a colossal pillar in the centre 70 ft. in diameter, around 
 which the gallery sweeps. This pillar forms the foundation 
 of the obelisk column above. 
 
 Both sides of the gallery are divided into spaces by pilas- 
 
194 WASHINGTON NATIONAL MONUMENT. 
 
 ters, elevated on a continued zocle or base 5 ft. high, forming 
 an order, with its entablature, 40 ft., crowned by a vaulted 
 ceiling 20 ft., divided by radiating arche vaults corresponding 
 with the relative positions of the opposing pilasters, and in- 
 closing deep sunken coffers enriched with paintings. 
 
 The spaces between the pilasters are sunk into niches for 
 the reception of the statues of the fathers of the Revolution, 
 contemporary with Washington ; over which are large tablets 
 to receive the national paintings commemorative of the bat- 
 tles and other scenes of that memorable period. Opposite to 
 the entrance of this gallery, at the extremity of the great cir- 
 cular wall, is the grand niche for the reception of the statue 
 of the " Father of his Country," elevated on its appropriate 
 pedestal, and designated as principal in the group by its co- 
 lossal proportions. 
 
 This spacious gallery and rotunda, which properly may be 
 denominated the " national Pantheon," is lighted in 4 grand 
 divisions from above. 
 
 Entering the centre pier through an arched way, you pass 
 into a spacious circular area, and ascend with an easy grade, 
 by a railway, to the grand terrace, 75 ft. above the base of the 
 monument. This terrace is 700 ft. in circumference, 180 ft. 
 wide, inclosed by a colonnade balustrade 15 ft. high, with its 
 base and capping. The circuit of this grand terrace is studded 
 with small temple-formed structures, constituting the cupolas 
 of the lanterns, lighting the pantheon gallery below. 
 
 Through the base of the great circle of the balustrade are 4 
 apertures at the 4 cardinal points, leading outside of the bal- 
 ustrade upon the top of the main cornice, where a gallery 6 
 ft. wide and 750 ft. in circumference encircles the whole, in- 
 closed by an ornamental guard, forming the crowning mem- 
 ber on the top of the tholus of the main cornice of the grand 
 colonnade. Within the thickness of this wall staircases de- 
 scend to a lower gallery over the plafond of the pronaos of 
 the colonnade, lighted from above. This gallery, which ex- 
 tends around the colonnade, is 20 ft. wide, divided into rooms 
 for the records of the monument, works of art, or studios for 
 artists engaged in the service of the monument. Two other 
 ways communicate with this gallery from below. 
 
 In the centre of the grand terrace above described rises the 
 lofty obelisk shaft of the monument, 70 ft. square at the base, 
 and 500 ft. high, diminishing as it rises to its apex, where it 
 is 40 ft. square ; at the foot of this shaft, and on each face, 
 project 4 massive zocles 25 ft. high, supporting so many co- 
 lossal symbolic tripods of victory 20 ft. high, surmounted by 
 facial columns with their symbols of authority. These zocle 
 faces are embellished with inscriptions, which are continued 
 
WASHINGTON NATIONAL MONUMENT. 
 
 195 
 
 around the entire base of the shaft, and occupy the surface of 
 that part of the shaft between the tripods. On each face of 
 the shaft, above this, is sculptured the four leading- events in 
 Washington's career in basso relievo, and above this the shaft 
 is perfectly plain to within 50 ft. of its summit, where a sim- 
 ple star is placed, emblematic of the glory which the name of 
 Washington has attained. 
 
 To ascend to the summit of the column, the same facilities 
 as below are provided within the shaft by an easy-graded gal- 
 ley, which may be traversed by a railway terminating in a 
 circular observatory 20 ft. in diameter, around which, at the 
 top, is a lookout gallery which opens a prospect all around 
 the horizon. 
 
 The inner space, or that under the grand gallery or rotun- 
 da, may be appropriated to catacombs for the reception of the 
 remains of such distinguished men as the nation may honor 
 with interment here. 
 
 In the centre of the monument is placed the tomb of Wash- 
 ington, to receive his remains, should they be removed thither, 
 the descent to which is by a broad flight of steps, lighted by 
 the same light which illumines his statue. 
 
 Description. — In its present state the Monument is 174 ft. 
 high. It rests on a solid foundation of Potomac gneiss rock, 
 81 ft. square at the base, 8 feet below the surface, and 18 ft. 
 above, narrowing to 60 ft. square. The base of the obelisk 
 is 55 ft. square outside, the walls being 15 ft. thick, and 25 
 ft. square inside. The outer surface consists of heavy blocks 
 of costal marble, from Maryland, laid in regular courses of 
 about 2 ft., and backed to the required thickness by gneiss 
 rock, as used in the foundation. The inside of the wall is 
 perpendicular, while the outer surface gradually recedes. At 
 the summit, when completed, the walls will have a thickness 
 of but 2 ft. The interior will be provided with an iron stair- 
 case. The tablets already built in the interior walls are ar- 
 ranged to correspond with the galleries of the proposed 
 stairway. 
 
 The Monument, as it now stands, cost $230,000, and was 
 six years in building, when the funds ran out. The esti- 
 mated cost of the obelisk is $550,000, and pantheon $570,000 
 additional. Total, $1,120,000. 
 
 The Monument completed would rank with the loftiest 
 works of ancient or modern times, viz : Tower of Babel, 680 
 ft. ; Washington Monument completed, 600 ft. ; Cologne 
 Cathedral completed, 511 ft. ; Balbec, 500 ft. ; Pyramid of 
 Cheops, 480 ft. ; Cathedral, Strasbourg, 474 ft. ; St. Peter's, 
 Rome, 458 ft. ; St. Stephen, Vienna, 445 ft. ; Cathedral, Salis- 
 
196 
 
 ARMORY. 
 
 bury, England, 406 ft.; Cathedral, Antwerp, 405 ft.; St 
 Paul's Cathedral, London, 404 ft. ; Cathedral, Milan, 400 ft. 
 
 The Lapidarmm.— In the low wooden building* KE. of the 
 Monument may be seen the tablets intended for the interior 
 of the Monument, to be placed the same as those already 
 used. A keeper, who has charge of the keys, resides on the 
 ground, and will exhibit the Monument and tablets, 81 in 
 number, to visitors. 
 
 Among the American contributions are a block of native 
 copper, weighing 2,100 pounds, from Michigan, and 12 bricks 
 from the birthplace of Washington. The contributions from 
 abroad are from Mount Vesuvius ; Swiss Republic ; a block of 
 granite from the Alexandrian Library, Egypt ; China ; Bre- 
 men; Saltan of Turkey; the Temple of Carthage, Africa; 
 ancient Egyptian head; Governor and Commune of the 
 Islands of Paros and Naxos; Temple of Esculapius, island 
 of Paros ; Greek Government ; and Japan. 
 
 History, — Repeated attempts have been made to erect a 
 suitable tribute to the memory of Washington. In 1783 the 
 Continental Congress passed a resolution for a National 
 Monument. The site for the Monument, near the present 
 undertaking, was approved by Washington himself in the 
 first plan of the city. In 1800 a bill passed in one House of 
 Congress to erect a " mausoleum of American granite and 
 marble in pyramidal form, 100 ft. square at the base, and of 
 proportionate height . ' ' 
 
 The Washington National Monument Association, the name 
 by which the association of distinguished gentlemen who 
 projected the monument was known, was organized in 1835. 
 The amount collected to 1848 was $230,000. The corner- 
 stone was laid July 4, 1848, with Masonic ceremonies, and in 
 the presence of 4,000 people. Repeated efforts have since 
 been made to effect its completion, but without success. 
 
 ARMORY. 
 
 This building stands on the SE. portion of the Mall, E. of 
 the Smithsonian Institution, and fronts on 6th st. W. The 
 main entrance is on the E., where a flight of steps leads to 
 the drill-rooms on the second and third floors. 
 
 The first floor is paved and arranged for artillery, there 
 being three suitable entrances on the N. and S. sides of the 
 
CHURCHES. 
 
 197 
 
 building. Each floor is supported by 12 iron pillars, and is 
 provided with gun racks and cases for accoutrements. The 
 building is about 103 by 57 ft. In 1853 Congress authorized 
 the erection of the building, to be used for the care of ord- 
 nance arms, accommodation of volunteers and military of the 
 District of Columbia, and for the preservation of military 
 trophies of the revolution and other wars. It was finished in 
 1857. The building has long been out of use. It is proposed 
 to place it in repair for the purposes for which it was origi- 
 nally intended. 
 
 CHUBCHES. 
 
 The capital possesses many church edifices which, in ar- 
 chitectural display and dimension?, have kept pace with the 
 growth of the population in numbers and affluence. The 
 finest are the Metropolitan Methodist Episcopal, in which are 
 also an interesting collection of relics from the Holy Land 
 and memorial windows, First Congregational, New- York 
 Av. Presbyterian, Epiphany Protestant Episcopal, Foundry 
 Methodist, Calvary Baptist, and St. Aloysivs, Roman Catho- 
 lic. Of the colored churches, the Fifteenth St. Presbyterian 
 and Nineteenth St. Baptist are very fine structures. 
 
 A list of leading churches and locations will be found in 
 General Information . 
 
 In 1794 the Washington Parish of the Protestant Episco- 
 pal Church, to include the cities of Washington and George- 
 town, was formed out of St. John's and St". Paul's Parishes. 
 The parish of Christ Church was next created, and the 
 church edifice near the Navy Yard was erected about 1800. 
 For sixteen years it was the only Episcopal place of worship 
 in the city. It was attended b}^ Jefferson and Madison. Ser- 
 vices are still held in the same structure. The first Presby- 
 terian church services were held in 1793, in the carpenter 
 shop used by the joiners at work on the President's House. 
 The first Baptist church began worship in 1802, and com- 
 menced a building on the corner of I and 19th sts. NW. in 
 1803. The first Presbyterian church on F st. was established 
 in 1803, services being first held in the hall of the Treasury 
 building. In 1826 their new building was completed. St. 
 Patrick's, Roman Catholic, was established in 1810. A 
 Methodist church was erected near the Navy Yard in 1805, 
 but meetings had been held in the city before. St. John's 
 Episcopal Church, on the NE. corner of 16th and H sts. 
 
198 
 
 HALLS. 
 
 NW., opposite Lafayette Square, was erected in 1816, from 
 designs by Latrobe, the architect of the Capitol. In 1820 it 
 was enlarged, and its original form, a Greek cross, was 
 changed to a Latin, and a portico and steeple added. Among 
 those who attended services here were Presidents Madison, 
 Monroe, and Jackson, and the diplomatic representatives of 
 England. The first Unitarian church, on 6th and D sts. 
 NW., fronting on Louisiana av., was erected in 1824. 
 
 HALLS. 
 
 There are a number of halls in various parts of the city. 
 
 Masonic Temple is on the NW. corner of F and 9th sts. 
 NW., entrance on F St., and was erected by the Masonic Hall 
 Association. The corner-stone was laid in 1868. The build- 
 ing is of granite and Connecticut and Nova Scotia freestone, 
 and cost $200,000. The two exposed faces are tastefully en- 
 riched with an appropriate introduction of Masonic symbols. 
 The ground-floor is occupied by stores, and the second by a 
 public hall, 100 by 48 ft. and 25 ft. high, and retiring rooms. 
 The hall has been the scene of some of the most brilliant 
 balls and State sociables given at the capital. In the third 
 story are the Blue Lodges of Masonry, and in the fourth the 
 Eoj^al Arch Chapters and Commanderies. The furniture and 
 fittings of the lodges are of superior quality, and are unsur- 
 passed in any similar place in the country. A lodge of Ma- 
 sons was established in the earliest days of the capital. Prior 
 to 1816 there were two which assembled in a building on the 
 borders of the river. Under the pavement of the Temple, on 
 the S. front, is what was formerly known as the City Spring. 
 
 Odd Fellows' Hall, situated on 7th st. W., bet. D and E 
 sts. The earlier building was dedicated in 1846, and erected 
 out of funds subscribed by the lodges and members meeting 
 in the central part of the city. It was remodeled in 1873. It 
 has a granite base and pressed-brick superstructure, with gal- 
 van ized-iron pilasters, jambs, caps, and cornice, and is sur- 
 mounted by three domes, that in the centre raised above the 
 others. The ground-floor is occupied by stores. The stair- 
 way at the main entrance leads to the main hall, on the sec- 
 ond floor. The hall is 100 by 40 ft. and 22 ft. high, and fitted 
 with a stage of 21 ft. additional, at the E. end. It is princi- 
 pally designed for balls, concerts, and lectures. Adjoining 
 
NEWSPAPER OFFICES. 
 
 199 
 
 are ladies' retiring and gentlemen's cloak-rooms. The third 
 floor contains two lodge and one Encampment rooms. The 
 Library, on the same floor, for the use of members of the 
 Order and their families, contains a fine collection of books. 
 The first Lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows 
 was established in the District of Columbia in 1827 ; the 
 Grand Lodge followed in 1828. 
 
 Lincoln Hall. — This fine structure stands on the NE. cor- 
 ner of 9th and D sts. NW. It is built of Seneca brownstone, 
 with iron trimmings, is three stories high, surmounted by a 
 Mansard roof. The corner-stone on the SW. bears the in- 
 stription, "Y. M. C. A., Nov. xxvn, mdccclxvii. Jeho- 
 vah Jireh." The building was erected by a joint stock 
 company chartered by act of Congress in 1867, and was com- 
 pleted in 1869, at a cost of $200,000. On the ground floor are 
 stores. There are two entrances to the upper floors : the main 
 one to the Library and Heading Koom and Lincoln Hall on 
 D st. ; the smaller, on 9th st. 
 
 The Free Reading Room and Library and the Parlors of the 
 Association {open to the public every day except Sunday, from 
 9 a, m, to 10^?. m.) are on the second floor under the Hall, en- 
 trances on both sts. The Library contains about 17,000 vols., 
 including the leading secular and religious newspapers of the 
 country. The Washington City Library, founded in 1814, 
 has been consolidated with it. 
 
 On the same floor is Lincoln Hall, the finest lecture or con- 
 cert hall in the city, which will seat about 1,300 people. 
 During each winter a course of lectures is given under the 
 auspices of the Association. In its scientific course, the As- 
 sociation is aided by the Smithsonian Institution. In addition 
 to Lincoln Hall there is a smaller hall, used for religious and 
 social gatherings of the Young Men's Christian Association, 
 which are held twice daily, at noon and 6p.m. Open to all. 
 
 Willard's Hall, on F st,, between 14th and 15th sts. W., 
 also affords excellent accommodations for concerts or theatri- 
 cals. 
 
 KEWSPAPEK OFFICES. 
 
 The buildings occupied by two of the principal newspapers 
 of the city will compare favorably in completeness, if not in 
 size, with the best structures of the kind in the country. 
 
INSTITUTIONS OF LEARNING. 
 
 201 
 
 UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES. 
 
 ^ The public institutions of the national Capital afford un- 
 rivaled facilities for professional and collegiate education. 
 
 NATIONAL MEDICAL COLLEGE. 
 
 The National Medical College of the Columbian University, 
 on H St., between 13th and 14th sts. N". W., was founded ira 
 1824. The building was the gift of W. W. Corcoran, 1864, 
 cost $40,000, was originally intended for a mechanics 1 library 
 and lectures, contains two lecture rooms, with ante rooms r 
 chemical laboratory, and dissecting room. In winter the jan- 
 itor will admit visitors. The Dispensary is open daity, except 
 Sunday, from 1 to 3 p. m., to the poor. The Law Depart- 
 ment^ Columbian University, established 1826, occupies a 
 building on 5th St., between D and E sts. N". W. 
 
 The Medical and Law Departments of Georgetown College, 
 respectively established in 1851 and 1870, occupy buildings- 
 on the corner of 10th and E sts. and F between 9th and 10th 
 sts. ~N. W. In the former is the Central Dispensary, opea 
 daily, except Sunday, from 1 to 3 p. m. 
 
 The Gonzaga College, on I, between North Capitol and 
 1st sts. N. Wi, was founded in 1848 as the Washington Sem- 
 inary, and incorporated as a university in 1858. It is con- 
 ducted by the fathers of the Society of Jesus, for day scholars 
 only. 
 
202 
 
 SCHOOLS. 
 
 SCHOOLS. 
 
 The Public Schools are among the prominent features of the 
 National Capital. Of the buildings are the Franklin, 1st dis- 
 trict, cor. 13th and K sts. NW., brick, 148 X 79 ft., basement 
 and three stories, erected in 1869, and contains 14 school-rooms. 
 This is said to be one of the finest school buildings in the Uni- 
 ted States. The Seaton, 2d district, on I, bet. 2d and 3d sts. 
 NW., brick, 94 X 67 feet, basement and 3 stories, erected in 
 1871. The Wallach, 3d district, Pennsylvania av., bet. 7th 
 and 8th sts. SE., brick, 99 X 76 ft., basement and three sto- 
 ries, erected in 1864. The Jefferson, 4th district, cor. of 6th 
 and D sts. SW., brick, 172 X 88 ft, basement and 3 stories, 
 with 20 school-rooms, erected in 1872. This is the largest 
 school building in the city. It will accommodate 1,200 pupils. 
 It is named after Thomas Jefferson, President of the United 
 States, a member of the Board of Trustees of the Public 
 Schools of Washington, and president of the same 1805-' 08. 
 Inhere are also fine grounds. 
 
 In the four school districts there are 43 school buildings, 
 owned or rented by the city. The oldest still standing was 
 erected in 1800 for a stable, cor. 14th and G sts. NW. 
 
 The Colored Schools are distinct from those attended by 
 white children. Prior to 1862 there were no colored public 
 schools. Subsequently the schools were under charitable 
 associations of the North. 
 
 The first building was erected in 1866, on the square now 
 occupied by the Sumner building. 
 
 The Sumner Building, on the NE. corner of M and 17th 
 sts. NW., was completed in 1872, at a cost of $70,000. It is 
 94 ft. long, by 69 ft. wide, and has a basement, 3 stories, and 
 a trussed roof. In it are 10 school-rooms. There are 13 
 public schools for colored children. 
 
 The annual expenditures are about $318,000, One third 
 of this sum is set apart for colored schools. The total school 
 population is 17,403. In 1805 the revenues for the support 
 of schools were derived from the net proceeds of taxes on 
 slaves, dogs, licenses for carriages and hacks, ordinaries and 
 taverns, selling wines and spirits, billiard tables, hawkers 
 and pedlers, theatres and other public amusements. In 1806 
 there were the E. and W. academies. In 1826 the schools 
 were supported by lottery. There is now a school tax. The 
 public schools were quartered in rented rooms, prior to the 
 dedication of the Wallach building, in 1864. 
 
ASYLUMS. 
 
 203 
 
 ASYLUMS. 
 
 There are a number of public and private institutions for the 
 destitute and sick. 
 
 Naval Hospital (open after 12 noon, during the week, if no 
 severe cases) occupies the square between 9th and 10th sts. 
 E. and E st. S. and Pennsylvania av. It is accessible from 
 the Pennsylvania av. street cars (red) for the Navy Yard, at 
 E st. The hospital is under the Bureau of Medicine and 
 Surgery of the Navy deoartment, and is open to officers and 
 men of the navy and marine corps. The building consists 
 of a three-story brick edifice, with mansard, and possesses 
 accommodations for 50 patients. There is a reading-room for 
 convalescents. A medical director in the navy is in charge. 
 Naval discipline is observed. 
 
 National Soldiers' and Sailors' Orphan Home, on G st. be- 
 tween 17th and 18th sts. NW., [open to visitors every day, 
 except Sunday, after 9 a, m.,) was incorporated by Congress 
 in 1866, and is supported by Government appropriations. It 
 is under the direction of a Board of Lady Managers, and is for 
 the support and education of the orphans of the national sol- 
 diers or sailors who were killed or died of wounds in the re- 
 bellion of 1861-'65. No applicants are received younger than 
 6 years, nor retained after 16 years. 
 
 Columbia Hospital for Women, and Lying-in Asylum, 
 
 incorporated 1866, (visiting days Tuesdays and Fridays, from 
 10 a. m. to 4 p. m.,) is on the corner of L and 25th sts. NW. 
 The general wards for 50 patients are free to the wives of sol- 
 diers, on the permit of the Surgeon General ; to women of 
 other States, on permit of the Secretary of the Interior ; and 
 to women of the District, on permit of the Governor. There 
 are also private rooms and special wards for 30 patients, for 
 the use of which a small compensation is required. Connected 
 with the hospital is an operating room, used for free patients 
 only, and open every Saturday at 3.30 p. m., to students of 
 medicine in the District. In the W. wing is a dispensary, 
 open every daj r , where the poor receive medicines and treat- 
 ment free. The institution is principally supported by the 
 National Government. 
 
 Washington Asylum (open every day, except Sunday) is sit- 
 uated in the extreme E. portion of the city, on the public 
 reservation, No. 17, laid out for the purpose. It may be 
 reached in 15 min. along C st. S., leaving the Pennsylvania 
 
201 
 
 ASYLUMS. 
 
 av. street cars (red) at that point. The institution combines 
 an asylum for the poor of the District, and a work-house for 
 persons convicted in the police courts of minor crimes except 
 theft. There are accommodations in the brick buildings for 
 180 persons. The first building was erected in 1815, but the 
 present one in 1859. On the N. is the District jail, and S. the 
 District nurseries, and beyond, the Army and Navy maga- 
 zines. About J m. distant, SW., is the "Congressional" 
 Cemetery. 
 
 Louise Home, (op en to. visitors every day, except Sunday, 
 after 12 noon,) erected in 1871, was the gift of Mr. Corcoran. 
 It is situated on Massachusetts av., bet. loth and 16th sts. 
 W. Its design is for gentlewomen of education and refine- 
 ment, but reduced to poverty. It is named after the wife 
 and daughter of Mr. Corcoran, both deceased. The build- 
 ing, a commodious structure, was erected and furnished un- 
 der the personal supervision of Mr. Corcoran, and, with the 
 grounds, cost $200,000, and has accommodations for 55 per- 
 sons. The institution is under the direction of a board of 
 trustees, and has an endowment of $250,000. The inmates 
 are invited by the board of directresses. 
 
 Providence General Hospital, cor. 2d and D sts. SE., (open 
 every day, from 10 to 12 a m. and 2 to 4 p. m.) The hospital 
 is owned and under the care of the Sisters of Charity. It 
 was founded in 1862, incorporated in 1864, and the present 
 building commenced in 1867. It is about 280 ft. long, of 
 brick, and will accommodate 250 patients. Towards the 
 erection of the building, through Thaddeus Stevens, of Penn., 
 Congress appropriated $30,000. There is now an annual ap- 
 propriation for 75 non-resident paupers. Indigent persons 
 receive permits from the Surgeon General of the Army, but 
 any one applying is taken in. The accommodations for pay 
 patients are very superior. There is a medical stafif of 12 
 physicians; also, a reading-room, library, chapel, and oper- 
 ating-room. 
 
 The Washington City Orphan Asylum, on I, bet. 2d and 3d 
 sts. NW.. was founded in 1815, Dolly P. Madison, wife of the 
 President of the United States, being first directress and Mrs. 
 Van Ness second. It was incorporated in 1828, and the cor- 
 ner-stone of the first building was laid by Mrs. Van Ness on 
 Mausoleum square, on H, bet. 9th and 10th sts. NW., the 
 burial-ground of the Burns family. The building is now oc- 
 cnpied^by the St. Joseph's Orphan Asylum. It is under 
 the direction of the benevolent ladies of the city. The present 
 
ASYLUMS. 
 
 205 
 
 building is but temporarily occupied, that erected for the per- 
 manent use of the Asylum being now rented by the Depart- 
 ment of State. 
 
 Children's Hospital, on E, bet. 8th and 9th sts. NW., (visit- 
 ing days Sundays, Tuesdays* and Fridays, from 3 to 5 p. m.,) 
 incorporated in 1871. It is under the patronage of benevo- 
 lent ladies and gentlemen, of the city, and has for its object 
 the free provision of surgical and medical treatment for the 
 helpless children of the District between the ages of 15 mos. 
 and 15 yrs. Admissions through the Board Physicians. The 
 sick of the City Orphan Asylum are also treated here. There 
 is a free dispensary connected with the hospital, open to all 
 every day except Sunday, from 12 m. to 3 p. m. 
 
 St. John's Hospital, for children, (visiting days Mondays 
 and Thursdays, from 2 to 5 p. m.,) on I, bet. 20th and 21st 
 sts, NW., is under the St. John's Sisterhood of the Episcopal 
 Church. The Hospital will shortly occupy its new premises, 
 on H, bet. 19th and 20th sts. NW. 
 
 St. Ann's Infant Asylum, founded in 1863, is on the corner 
 of K and 24th sts. NVV., (visiting days Thursdays, from 2 to 5 
 p. m.) It is under the management of the Sisters of Charity, 
 and for the children, under 5 years, of the poor. There is a 
 lying-in hospital attached. 
 
 St. Joseph's Male Orphan Asylum, founded in 1855, (visit- 
 ing days Saturdays, from 2 to 5 p. m.,) on H, bet. 9th and 10th 
 sts. NW., is under the care of the Sisters of the Holy Cross. 
 The male children at St. Ann's, arriving at 5 years of age, 
 are sent here. The building previously belonged to the 
 Washington City Orphan Asylum, and was purchased in 
 1866. 
 
 St Vincent's Female Orphan Asylum, founded in 1831, 
 (visiting every day, except Saturday and Sunday, bet. 9 and 11 
 a. ra.,) is on the SW. cor. of H and 10th sts. NW. It is under 
 the care of the Sisters of Charity. To this are transferred the 
 female children at St. Ann's arriving at 5 years of age. 
 
 A branch of this asylum, St. Rose's Orphan Home, estab- 
 lished in 1871, and owned and cared for by the Sisters of 
 Charity, is situated on G, bet. 20th and 21st sts. NW. Here 
 the children, 13 years of age, are sent and taught a trade. 
 It is open at any time, and sewing of all kinds for ladies and 
 children is taken. 
 
 The Epiphany Church Home is on H, bet. 14th and loth 
 sts. W. 
 
CEMETERIES. 
 
 The Home for the Aged, under the Little Sisters of the 
 Poor, is on the NW. cor. of 3d and H sts. NE. 
 
 CEMETERIES. 
 
 TWO squares known as the Eastern and Western Burial- 
 grounds, were allotted by the Government, in the beginning 
 of the present century, for the interment of the dead. The 
 Eastern, which stood in the eastern part of the city, was re- 
 moved a few years since. The Western, later known as 
 Holmead Cemetery, on 19th St., bet. S and T sts. NW., is be- 
 ing removed. Here, for 40 years, rested the remains of Lo- 
 renzo Dow, removed to Oak Hill Cemetery in 1874. 
 
 Congressional (or Washington Parish) Cemetery, (open every 
 day* except Sunday,) is situated on the banks of the Anacos- 
 tia, and is accessible from the Washington and Georgetown 
 Street Railway East, 
 along E. st. S., dis- 
 tant £ m. The Cem- 
 etery, laid out in 
 1807, originally com- 
 prised about 10 a., 
 but now embraces 30 
 a. The name Con- 
 gressional originated 
 from the fact that a 
 number of sites are 
 set apart for the in- 
 terment of members 
 of Congress, in re- 
 turn for Government 
 donations of land and 
 money. The small 
 freestone cenotaphs, 
 to the memory of de- congressional cemetery, cenotaphs. 
 ceased members of 
 
 Congress, form a conspicuous feature. The grounds are 
 adorned with drives, walks, trees, shrubs, evergreens, and a 
 large fountain. 
 
 The oldest graves lie N. of the lodge, and are of date 1804-5. 
 Near the superintendent's lodge is the grave of Commodore 
 Tingey, second in command in the Algerine war. In the NE. 
 portion lies George Clinton, of New York, Vice President 
 of the United States, died in 1 811 , and Elbridge Gerry, of Mass- 
 
CEMETERIES. 
 
 207 
 
 achusetts, signer of the Declaration of Independence and 
 Vice President of the United States, died in 1814. This 
 monument was erected by act of Congress. Not far off is 
 the grave of Tobias Lear, private secretary and friend of 
 George Washington, died in 1816. Near by are the graves 
 of John Forsyth, Secretary of State, and Commodore Mont- 
 gomery. On the 1. of the walk is the monument of Pus-ma- 
 ta-ha, a Choctaw chief, the white man's friend, who died at 
 Washington in 1824. Further on is the monument to Wil- 
 liam Wirt, Attorney General of the United States 1817-1829, 
 died 1834. On the 1. of the carriage road, near the fountain, 
 is the grave of General Alexander Macomb, Commander-in- 
 chief of the United States Army, who died 1841. This mon- 
 ument is a handsome piece of workmanship, appropriately 
 embellished and inscribed. A few feet off stands a broken 
 shaft over the remains of Major General Jacob Brown, Com- 
 mander-in-chief of the United States Army, died 1828. 
 
 In the same vicinity is a monument to Abel Parker Up- 
 shur, Secretary of the Navy 1841, Secretary of State 1843, 
 died 1844, and Captain Kennon, killed by the explosion of 
 the great gun on board the United States frigate Princeton. 
 A few paces off stands the collossal monument to Joseph 
 Lovel, Surgeon General of the United States Army, died 
 1836. Near by is the monument erected to Major General 
 George Gibson, U. S. A., Commissary General of Subsist- 
 ence, 1861, and to Frederick Rogers, midshipman in the 
 United States Navy, drowned at Norfolk, Va., 1828, while 
 making efforts to save Midshipmen Slidell and Harrison, his 
 friends and companions in life and death. 
 
 Among others are the Wainwright family, consisting of 
 Commodore Richard Wainwright, Bvt. Lt. Col. R. Auch- 
 matty Wainwright, Bvt. Lt. Col. Robert DeWar, of the 
 United States Navy. All of these lie in the Wainwright 
 vault, in the southern extremity of the grounds. In the S. 
 portion is the tomb of Alexander Dallas Bache, Superin- 
 tendent of United States Coast Survey service. Also a mar- 
 ble monument, representing a broken ship's mast, to George 
 Mifflin Bache, of the brig Washington, and his associates, 
 who perished at sea on September 3, 1846, in a hurricane. 
 Not far distant is the monument erected to the young ladies 
 killed by the arsenal explosion. 
 
 The vaults and lots of some of the oldest citizens of the 
 District are also in this cemetery. 
 
 The public vault, erected by Congress, lies SE. of the 
 entrance, about the centre of the cemetery. It is a massive 
 structure, entered by an iron door, which leads through a 
 passage to a second iron door. 
 
208 
 
 DISTRICT GOVERNMENT. 
 
 DISTRICT GOVERNMENT. 
 
 The provisional government of the District of Columbia 
 occupies a building on 4J st. W., near Pennsylvania av. It 
 is proposed to erect a suitable edifice on the space immedi- 
 ately N. of the Centre Market. 
 
 Fire Department —The force consists of 5 Steam Fire En- 
 gines, 1 Hook and Ladder Company, w!th officers and 4 
 horses and 10 men to each Engine. The service is under a 
 Board of Fire Commissioners. There is also a Fire Alarm 
 Telegraph, with the Central Station at Police Headquarters. 
 The buildings were erected by the city, and have every con- 
 venience. The foreman will show visitors everything of 
 interest. The companies are located, No. 1, K St., bet. 16th 
 and 17th W. ; No. 2, D St., near 12th NW. ; No. 3, Capitol 
 Hill, Delaware av. NE. of the Capitol : No. 4, Virginia av., 
 bet. 4J and 6th sts. SW. ; No. 5, High st., near Bridge; 
 Hook and Ladder, Massachusetts av., bet. 4th and 5th sts. 
 
 In the early days housekeepers were required to have a certain number of buckets, 
 with their names, for each story. In 1835 there were two fire engines, and in 1846 
 seven. Jn 1861 the National Government engaged the services of the Hibernia 
 Steam Fire Engine, of Philadelphia, and brought the first steamer to Washington, 
 as a means of protection for the immense quantities of Government stores. In 1864 
 the paid system went into operation. The Government then owned three steam fire 
 engines, and the corporation three, and one Hook and Ladder Company. In 1869 
 the Government steamers were withdrawn. 
 
 Metropolitan Police.— This was established in 1861. In 
 1866 a police telegraph was constructed. The police force 
 consists of 238 officers and men, with duties extending 
 throughout the entire District. There are 8 precincts. 
 
 District Jail.— The present jail of the District of Columbia 
 is a three-storied brick structure, on reservation No. 9, and 
 on the SW. corner of G and 4th sts. Anew jail, more suita- 
 ble to the necessities of the District, is being erected on Ees- 
 ervation No. 13, immediately N. of the Washington Asylum. 
 
 The plan has an outer range of one-storied buildings of solid masonry, forming 
 the enclosure of the jail proper. The latter is built of Maryland (Seneca) stone, 
 brick, and iron, four stories high, with ranges of cells on each floor, 300 in all. Be- 
 tween the inner building and the outer walls there is a space of 16 ft. under the 
 surveillance of the guards. 
 
 The building is 310 by 193 ft,, and from the stone base to the main cornice 50 ft. 
 high, to the ridge 68 ft., and to the top of the cupola 90 ft. On either end of the 
 building are ventilating shafts 86 ft. high, and, in conjunction with steam pipes 
 under each tier of cells, preserve a regular temperature. The centre of the building 
 forms a guard room 77 x 61 ft., from the floor of which springs the staircases to 
 each tier of cells. The W. projection contains the warden's office, guard and 
 witness rooms ; the E., a chapel and kitchen ; the basement, the laundry and bath 
 rooms. The structure was designed by A. B. Mullett, commenced in 1872, and 
 cost $400,000. It can be easily converted into a penitentiary. 
 
THE MARKETS. 
 
 209 
 
 THE MARKETS. 
 
 The country around the National Capital produces fine 
 vegetables of all descriptions, and the Potomac river and 
 Chesapeake Bay afford not only fish and oysters unexcelled 
 and in great quantities, but admirable facilities for supplying 
 the Markets with the earlier produce of more southern lati- 
 tudes. The best qualities of meats and the finest game, 
 aquatic and field, are also offered for sale at cheaper rates 
 than other large cities. There are four principal markets in 
 the city, two already accommodated with very fine perma- 
 nent buildings. Strangers would find the markets a most 
 interesting place for a visit. 
 
 The largest is the Centre Market, erected by the Washington 
 Market Company in 1870, comprising three commodious brick 
 structures — a central building and two wings — length from 
 E. to W., 410 ft., and which occupy the S. half of the square 
 between 7th and 9th sts. W., on the S. side of Pennsylvania 
 av., and accessible by horse cars on that av. and 7th and 9th 
 sts. Market every day. 
 
 The Eastern Market, on Capitol Hill, at the junction of 7th 
 st. E. and North Carolina av., completed in 1873, is also a 
 fine la^-ge brick structure. 
 
 The Western Market, on K between 20th and 21st sts. NW,, 
 and the Northern Market, between 6th and 7th and O and P 
 sts. W., at present temporarily occupy sheds. Brick struc- 
 tures of large dimensions are now in course of erection for 
 their accommodation. In the original plan of the city, 1791, 
 there were three reservations for the E., W., and Centre 
 Markets ; the latter, however, is the only one erected on the 
 site originally set apart. 
 
 The Northern Liberty Market, on 5th, bet. K and L sts. 
 NW., J. H. McGill, architect, erected 1874-'5 by the North- 
 ern Liberty Market Company, is one of -the finest market 
 structures in the United States. It is of brick, 324 ft. long, 
 126 ft. wide, and 105 ft. total height. The roof rests upon 
 massive iron girders, the largest of the kind in the world, 
 which form an imposing arch the entire width of the build- 
 ing. In the butchers' portion there are 28 sections, 17 x 19 ft., 
 each containing 4 stalls. Cost, 8140,000. On the E. is a 
 paved space for the accommodation of market wagons. 
 
 14 
 
210 PLACES OF HISTORICAL INTEREST. 
 
 PLACES OF HISTOKICAL INTEREST. 
 
 The residence of Gen. J. P. Van Ness still stands on what 
 was known as Mansion Square, about 6 a., at the foot of 17th 
 st. W., between B and C sts. 1ST., and where the Tiber then 
 emptied its waters into the Potomac. It was previously the 
 residence of David Burns, one of the original proprietors of 
 the site of Washington, who owned, by inheritance through 
 several generations of Scottish ancestors, what now consti- 
 tute the finest portions of the city. Gen. Van Ness, a repre- 
 sentative from New York, by his marriage, about 1802, with 
 Marcia Burns, sole heiress of the Burns estate, enlarged the 
 buildings, erected green houses, planted trees and fruits, and 
 made other improvements, then considered very superior. 
 The place was then one of the finest in the country. The 
 square is enclosed by a brick wall, with a fine gateway and 
 two lodges. Many of the venerable trees are still growing. 
 The Van Ness warehouse, on the line of 17th st., is still stand- 
 ing, though very dilapidated. The Washington canal ran just 
 S. of it. "Attorney General William Wirt occupied the fine 
 old mansion, now the National Soldiers' and Sailors' Orphan 
 Asylum, on G St., between 17th and 18th sts. W. The Old 
 Capitol, now converted into private residences, stands on the 
 NW. corner of A and 1st sts. NE. Congress met here after 
 the burning of the Capitol in 1814. During the war it was 
 used as a political prison. Wirz, the prison keeper of Ander- 
 son ville, was executed here. 
 
 On North Carolina av., between 1st and 2d sts. SE., stands 
 the venerable mansion of Duddington, owned by Daniel Car- 
 roll, one of the original proprietors of the site of Washington, 
 and one of the three commissioners appointed in 1791 to su- 
 perintend the building of the city. 
 
SECTION V. 
 
 ENVIRONS OF WASHINGTON. 
 
 EORGETOWJST, the port of entry of the Dis- 
 ^^^^ ti'ict of Columbia, population 15,000, lies N. W* 
 %FtJL of Washington, separated by Rock creek, and is at 
 TjSiJKf the head of navigation of the Potomac river. It 
 was laid out by George Gordon and George Beall* 
 ^J^gSr* and incorporated in 1789. The site is peculiarly 
 picturesque. The "heights," dotted with villas, 
 overlook a vast sweep of country, the Potomac and adjacent 
 Capital. Georgetown before 1800 enjoyed considerable local 
 importance, and a brisk river, coast, and foreign commerce. 
 
 Copyright, 1874, DeB. R. Keim. 
 
 GEORGETOWN AND AQUEDUCT. 
 
 Georgetown may be reached from Washington by the- 
 Metropolitan, F st., (Georgetown cars,) and the Washington 
 and Georgetown, Pennsylvania av. horse cars. Arriving by 
 the former at Washington st., a short walk leads to Oak 
 Hill Cemetery, (open every day except Sundays and holidays, 
 from sunrise to sunset.) The original grounds, 10 a., incor- 
 porated by Congress, 1849, was the gift of W. W. Corcoran,. 
 
212 
 
 GEORGETOWN. 
 
 from whom it has an endownent of $120,000. The present 
 area is 30 a. It oecupies a romantic spot, formerly Parrott'S 
 woods, on the north- 
 ern slope of George- 
 town Heights, at the 
 base of which winds 
 Kock creek, and has a 
 fine chapel and public 
 vault of the time of 
 Henry VIII. 
 
 Here is the Van Ness Mau- 
 soleum, designed by Hadfield, 
 after the Temple of Vesta at 
 Rome, erected by Gen. Van 
 Ness, and containing the re- 
 mains of the General and his 
 wife, Marcia Van Ness, nee 
 Burns, of the family of David 
 Burns, one of the original pro- VAN NESS MAUSOLEUM, 
 
 prietors of Washington. It 
 
 formerly stood on H, bet. 9th and 10th sts. NW., Washington. In this Cemetery 
 are the Corcoran Mausoleum, in white marble, Linthicum Memorial Chapel, the 
 graves of Chief Justice Chase, Stcretary Stanton, Generals Towson, of the war of 
 1812, Plummer and R.eno, killed in i86i-'65, Commodore Morris, distinguished in 
 the Algerine war, and Lorenzo Dow, the religious enthusiast, removed from Hoi 
 ifnead Cemetery in 1S74. 
 
 Returning to the same line of street-cars, and alighting on 
 the r. side, at Market st., at the head of the street is the George- 
 town High-Service Reservoir. The same point may be reached 
 by turning to the r. outside the cemetery gate/and follow- 
 ing Road st. to the corner of High. It consists of a domical 
 reservoir, of brick, 120 ft. in diameter, with a capacity of 
 1,000,000 galls., and is fed from the Aqueduct mains at the 
 bridge over Rock creek by 2 pumps. The surface-water is 
 215 ft. above tide and 70 ft. above the Distributing Reservoir. 
 It supplies all that part of Georgetown over 100 ft. above tide. 
 
 Descending the st. a short distance towards the city, and 
 following the track to Fayette st., on the opposite corner is 
 the Convent of the Visitation, founded in 1799, but not now 
 open to visitors. The Academy, under the care of the Sisters 
 of the Visitation, was founded at the same time, and occupies 
 the building on the N"., rebuilt in 1873, and is open to visitors 
 on Wednesdays and Saturdays after 12 noon. The entrance 
 is by the door of the new building, where visitors will be re- 
 ceived and conducted through the school. There are two de- 
 partments : primary for girls from 6 to 12 years, and senior, 
 for young ladies of all school ages. There is a fine philosoph- 
 ical apparatus, chemical laboratory, and library. The Acade- 
 my grounds comprise 40 a. Attached to the Convent is a vault 
 containing the remains of Archbishop ISTeale, second Bishop 
 of Baltimore, and founder of the institution, the daughter of 
 Madame Yturbide, and the daughter of Gen. Winfield Scott, 
 
214 
 
 GEORGETOWN. 
 
 a religieuse of the order. It is the oldest in the country. 
 At the W. end of 2d st., Georgetown, is Georgetown College, 
 {open every day except Sunday,) founded in if 89, raised to a 
 University in 1815, and the oldest Roman Catholic College 
 In the country. It is under the care of the Fathers of the 
 Society of Jesus. 
 
 The original building, of imported brick, is still standing on the S., and is flanked 
 by two of more modern construction. Boys of all ages are received and carried 
 through an entire course of instruction. The library contains 30,000 volumes, 
 amongst which are many rare and curious works. There are 100 volumes printed 
 between 1460 and 1520, and three manuscripts anterior to 1400, and others later. In 
 Che Museum is a valuable collection of coins and medals and relics of Commodore 
 Decatur. The Observatory is 400 yds. distant, on the W. (For Medical and Law 
 Departments see page zoi.) 
 
 There are also fine Custom and Market Houses \ Post Office^ 
 and many beautiful church edifices. On 2d and Potomac sts. 
 is the Public School 79x97 ft.', built 1874, of Potomac Seneca 
 stone, brick, and iron ; has 3 stories, basement, and Mansard, 
 was designed by Adolf Cluss, and cost $70,000. 
 
 The building contains 8 school-rooms, a room for the Linthicum Institute and the 
 Peabody Library, and a Hall capable of seating 900 persons. The Linthicum Insti- 
 tute was founded in 1872 by Edward Linthicum, a retired hardware merchant of 
 Georgetown, deceased 1872, who by will left $50,000 for the education of poor 
 white boys. The Peabody Library fund, $22,000, was one of the numerous bene- 
 factions of the American philanthropist and millionaire George Peabody. 
 
 At the foot of the hill is the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal. 
 
 The Potomac Company, chartered by Maryland In 1784, completed a canal before 
 l8ooaround the Little and Great Falls These efforts were followed by the eharter, 
 by Congress, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Virginia, of the present enterprise. 
 Work was commenced in 1828. The object was the connection of tide-water on the 
 Potomac with the head of navigation on the Ohio, a distance of 360 m. In 1841 
 the canal was opened to Cumberland, 182 m , at a cost of $1 3,000,000, of which 
 Maryland subscribed $5,000,000, the United States $1,000,000, Washington, 1,000,- 
 000, and Georgetown, Alexandria, and Virginia, each,' $250,000. Cumberland re- 
 mains the terminus. The execution of the enterprise was a work of great difficulty. 
 There are 75 locks of 100 ft. in length, 15 ft. in width, and averaging 8 ft. lift; 11 
 aqueducts crossing the Monocacy river, consisting of 7 arches of 54 ft span ; also 190 
 culverts of various dimensions, some sufficiently spacious to admit of the passage of 
 wagons. The canal is fed by a number of dams across the Potomac, varying from 
 500 to 800 ft. in length, and from 4 to 20 ft. elevation. The breadth of the canal is 
 60 ft. for the first 60 m. above Georgetown, and for the remaining distance to Cum- 
 berland 50 ft., with a uniform depth of 6 ft. The entire lift is about 600 ft The 
 aqueducts, locks, and culverts are constructed of stone laid in hydraulic cement. 
 The tunnel through the u Pawpaw Ridge 11 is 3,118 ft. in length and 24 ft. in diam- 
 eter, with an elevation of 17 ft. clear of the surface of the water. The canal con- 
 nects with Rock creek. From this point a canal, now out of use or filled, extended 
 across Washington to the Anacostia. The canal to Cumberland opens the im- 
 mensely valuable and rich coal sections of western Maryland and West Virginia. 
 The unfinished portion of the canal trom Cumberland to Pittsburg is 178 m. 
 
 The Alexandria Canal, incorporated by Congress in 1830, 
 crosses the Potomac on a fine Aqueduct 1,400 ft. long and 36 
 ft. above high water. The piers are embedded 17 ft. in the 
 bottom of the river, and are capable of resisting the immense 
 weight of ice thrown against them by the current of the river 
 in winter. 
 
 A very interesting feature of the city are the coal wharves, 
 
ARLINGTON HOUSE AND NATIONAL CEMETERY. 215 
 
 where the coal is transhipped into schooners for transporta- 
 tion to the ports on the Atlantic seaboard. Georgetown is 
 one of the largest shad and herring markets in the United 
 States. The manufacturing interests of the city are small. 
 
 At the E. end of Bridge st. is Rock-creek Bridge^ connect- 
 ing the two cities. 
 
 It consists of a zoo-ft. span, with 20 ft. rise, the arch formed by two lateral 
 courses of cast-iron pipe, 4 ft. internal diameter, and iV£ in in thickness. The 
 arch is supported on massive abutments of sandstone. The, pipes convey the water 
 of the Aqueduct across the stream, and at the same time carry a street road and horse 
 railway. Here the Pennsylvania av. street cars may be taken back to Washington. 
 
 Analostan, or Mason's Island, the large tract in the Potomac 
 river, opposite Georgetown, contains 70 a., and was the res- 
 idence of Gen. John Mason, commissary general of prisoners 
 in the war of 1812. 
 
 The Mansion still stands at the S. end, 50 ft. above the river. The now neg- 
 lected grounds were also beautifully adorned. A causeway on the Virginia side and 
 ferry-boat from Georgetown in former times afforded communication with the main 
 land. James M. Mason, Confederate Commissioner to Europe, was born on the island. 
 
 Arlington House and National Cemetery.— (Open to visit- 
 ors every day.) Arlington House, from 1802, was the resi- 
 dence of George Washington Parke Custis, the adopted son of 
 Gen. Washington, and in late years of Gen. Kobert E. Lee, 
 till 1861. It is on the Virginia shore of the Potomac, on the 
 summit of a hill, 200 ft. above the river. It is about 4 m. from 
 the Capitol, and about 1 m. from Georgetown, across the 
 Aqueduct bridge . The view of Washi ngton is without a rival . 
 The center building, 60 ft., and two wings, each 40 ft., gives 
 a frontage of 140 ft. In front is a portico 60 ft. long and 
 25 ft. deep. The pediment rests on 8 doric columns (6 in 
 front) 5 ft. in diameter and 26 ft. high, built of brick, stuc- 
 coed. The design was from drawings of the temple at Paes- 
 tum, near Naples. On the S. are the gardens and conserva- 
 tory. In the rear are the kitchens, slave quarters, and stables. 
 
 In the mansion, when occupied by its former possessors, were valuable pictures and 
 other objects of historic interest, including two Vandykes, one by Sir Godfrey 
 Kneller, painted 1707, representing Col. Parke, a fine engraving of the Death of 
 Chatham, by Copely, and of Napier, the inventor of the logarithms, presented by 
 the Earl of Buchan, and addressed to 11 Marshal" General Washington, announc- 
 ing that Louis XVI had created the General a Marshal of France; that he might be 
 of sufficient rank to command the veteran Count de Rochambeau ; also a death of 
 Wolfe, presented to Washington by West ; the Mount Vernon plate, bearing the 
 arms and crest of Wa&hington. The bed and bedstead upon which Washington, as 
 first President, slept during his whole presidency, and on which he breathed his 
 last, on December 14, 1799; china having the names of the votes of the old Confed- 
 eration ; a service also bearing the representation of the Order of the Cincinnati, 
 and relics from the home of Washington. These were taken away by the family. 
 
 Of original pictures of Washington there were four at Ar- 
 lington. The earliest was by Charles Wilson Peale, painted 
 in 1772, represented the subject as a provincial colonel ; the 
 second by Houclon, taken after the Revolution ; the third, 
 by Madame de Brienne, heads of Washington and La- 
 
216 
 
 FORT WHIPPLE. 
 
 fayette, elate about the same as Houdon, and the fourth, a 
 profile likeness in crayon, by Sharpie ss, in 1796. Of other 
 originals is the equestrian picture by Trumbull, in 1790, in 
 the City Hall, N. Y., and a crayon by Mr. Williams, from 
 sittings in 1794, lost. There are three originals by Stuart, 
 the head, a masterpiece, and bust, from which many copies 
 have been made, the full length for the Marquis of Lans- 
 downe, and one for Mrs. Washington. Ceracci, the sculptor, 
 about 1794, executed two busts in marble, one of Washington 
 and the other of Hamilton. In 1795 both the elder and the 
 younger Peale had sittings. 
 
 Arlington House in its halcyon days was famed for its 
 hospitality. The last proprietor. Gen. Lee, came in posses- 
 sion through his wife, who was the daughter of Mr. Custis. 
 Having gone over to the rebellion against the National Govern- 
 ment, and become its military chieftain, the estate, upwards 
 of 1,000 a., was abandoned. In 1863 it w r as sold under the 
 confiscation act, and in 1864 was taken possession of by the 
 National Government. About 200 a. were set apart as a 
 National Cemetery for the interment of deceased soldiers of 
 the army. The Cemetery was formally established in 1867. 
 In the rear and 1. of the mansion is an amphitheatre, capable 
 of accommodating 5,000 persons, erected in 1873, and designed 
 for use in the annual ceremonies observed on decoration day. 
 
 The grounds were laid out with special reference to the 
 purposes in view. The bodies of nearly 16,000 soldiers, from 
 many a battle-field in Virginia and the hospitals at the capital, 
 here find a fitting resting place. The W. Cemetery is devoted 
 to white, and the N. to colored troops. A short distance S. 
 of mansion is a granite sarcophagus, surmounted by cannon 
 and balls, in 1866 placed over the grave of 2,111 unknown 
 soldiers gathered after the w T ar from the fields of Bull Run 
 and the route to the Rappahannock. The carriage entrance 
 is on the SE., through a freestone gateway of composite 
 order, erected in 1873. On the frieze are suitable inscrip- 
 tions, and over the arch "Here rest 15,585 of the 315,558 
 citizens who died in defence of our country from 1861 to 
 1865." On the 1. of the road leading from the main gate- 
 way towards the river is the once-famous Custis spring. 
 In 1850 it was visited from the capital by thousands of resi- 
 dents and strangers. The forest which sheltered its limpid 
 waters was felled for the uses of the army during the re- 
 bellion. 
 
 Fort Whipple, reached by the road to the r. soon after 
 crossing the Georgetown Aqueduct, lies a short distance NW. 
 of Arlington House. It is now a station for the instruction 
 
AQUEDUCT AND GREAT FALLS OF THE POTOMAC. 217 
 
 of officers and men in army signalling. It was built daring 
 the rebellion, and constituted portion of the defenses cover- 
 ing the Aqueduct and Long Bridge, and the intermediate 
 Heights of Arlington. Then it mounted 6 12-lb. Napoleon 
 guns and 4 12-lb. howitzers. 
 
 The Aqueduct and Great Falls of the Potomac— One of 
 
 the most interesting excursions out of Washington is the drive 
 by the Aqueduct to the Great Falls of the Potomac. 
 
 Table of distances from the 
 Navy -yard to theGreat Falls : 
 From the Navy-yard to the 
 E. front of the Capitol, \% 
 m; to Rock-Creek Bridge, 4 
 3-5 m ; College-Pond Bridge, 
 5 3-5 m; Foundry Branch, 6 
 m 5 Pipe Vault Dist. Res, 
 6]/2 m ; Influent Gate House, 
 7 in ; Waste Weir, 7% m ; 
 Gate House Rec. Res., 9 m ; 
 Wooden Bridge Rec. Res., 9 
 1-5 m; Brooks's Road, 9% 
 m j Cabin John Bridge, 12% 
 m ; Mountain-Spring Bridge. 
 
 A m j CulvertNo. 12, 14^ 
 m j Road at RadclifFs, I5^| 
 m j Junetion Road, 16 3-5 
 m ; Bridge No. 2, 17 1-5 m ; 
 Bridge No. 1, 17^ m ; Ov- 
 erfall No. 1, 16 m ; Waste 
 Weir No. 1, 18^ m; Great 
 Falls Gate House, i8>£ m. 
 
 Entering George- 
 
 THE GREAT FALLS OF THE POTOMAC. tOWll from PeiUlSyl- 
 
 vania av. the Aque- 
 duct may be reached by Bridge and Fayette sts., and new 
 road to the Distributing Reservoir, a distance of 2 m. 
 
 The water surface of the reservoir is 33 a; capacity, 150,000,000 galls, at depth ol 
 11 ft., and 300,000,000 galls, at 24 ft ; elevation, 144 ft. above mean tide at the Navy- 
 yard. 
 
 From this point the water is carried by iron mains into the city. [See Water Sup- 
 ply, p. 46.] The Aqueduct terminates here, the influent gate-house standing on 
 the NW. corner. A 7-ft. Auxiliary Conduit connects the influent and affluent gate- 
 houses on the N. which may be used independently of the reservoir. 
 
 The Aqueduct consists of a cylindrical conduit, of 9 ft. in- 
 ternal diameter, constructed of stone and brick, laid in hy- 
 draulic cement, and covered by an embankment or tunneled 
 through the hills, and is carried across the streams by means 
 of magnificent bridges, and has a fall of 9 J in. to the m. The 
 capacity of the conduit, full, is 80 000,000 galls, every 24 hrs. 
 The present mains carry off 30,000,^00 galls. ; the consump- 
 tion, however, is but 17,000,000. 
 
 From the Distributing Keservoir is a beautiful drive, 2 m. 
 on the embankment of the Aqueduct, to Receiving Reservoir. 
 
218 AQUEDUCT AND GREAT FALLS OF THE POTOMAC. 
 
 The scenery on all sides is romantic in the extreme. On the 1. is the Potomac 
 and the Little Falls. The Receiving Reservoir, a natural basin, formed by an em- 
 bankment 65 ft. high, across Powder- Mill Creek, retains the water within the en- 
 circling arms of the surrounding hills. It has a surface area of 52 a., a greatest 
 depth of 53 ft., and drains 40,000 a. of the adjacent country. The Sluice Tower is 
 in the S. end. A conduit extends around the S. side, connecting the Aqueduct, 
 without passing through the Receiving Reservoir. The capacity Is 163,000,000 galls. 
 The NW. boundary of the District crosses the Reservoir just beyond the Sluiee 
 Tower. The height of water in the Reservoir is controlled by a channel cut in the 
 solid rock. The Aqueduct enters through a tunnel 800 ft. in length, and pierced 
 through solid rock. 
 
 Kesuming the embankment, Cabin- John Bridge is reached, 
 3 m. distant. 
 
 This magnificent struc- 
 ture springs the chasm of 
 Cabin-John Creek at a 
 height of 10 1 ft. The 
 bridge is erected of im- 
 mense blocks of granite, 
 with Seneca parapets and 
 coping, and leaps the ra- 
 vine in a single arch of 
 220 ft. with 57% ft. rise 
 from the springing line. 
 
 The bridge is 20 ft. 
 wide, and its extreme 
 length 420 ft. It cost 
 $237,000. This magnifi- 
 cent work of art is un- 
 equalled in the history of 
 bridge building. It is the 
 largest stone arch in the 
 world ; the second being 
 that of the Grovesner 
 Bridge, with a span of 200 
 ft. which crosses the river 
 Dee. One mile above is 
 Mountain- Spring Brook, 
 crossed by a beautiful el- 
 liptical arch of masonry, 
 75 ft span. The bridge 
 CABIN-JOHN bridge. is 200 ft. long, and cost 
 
 $76,000. From this point 
 
 the Aqueduct is conducted by means of 2 tunnels. 
 
 About 3V£ m. from the Great Falls a road leads around the hills. Before reaching 
 the falls the scenery becomes exceedingly picturesque. The river is divided into 
 two channels by Cupid's Bower and Bear Islands, the latter the upper. At the falls 
 the river is again formed into two channels by Conn's and Great Falls islands, the 
 former the upper, and forms the Maryland and Virginia channels. Across the former 
 is a dam of solid masonry, with gate-house and gates. This dam, should there be oc- 
 casion, will be extended to the Virginia side. The Government owns the water- 
 right, having 5 a. of ground. The dam is faced with massive guards of stone. The 
 total water supply of the river is 1,196,019,511 galls, in 24 hrs. At this point the 
 Chesapeake and Ohio Canal is carried over the Aqueduct. 
 
 At the Great Falls the Potomac breaks through the mountain in a channel nar- 
 rowing to 100 yds. in width, and bounded on the Virginia side by perpendicular 
 rocks 70 ft. high. The water falls over a series of cascades, making a descent of 80 
 ft. in 1% m., the greatest single pitch being 40 ft. At a distance of 4 m. it widens, 
 and its agitated waters quiet into an unbroken current. About 10 m. below, at 
 the Little Falls, about 3 m. above Georgetown, the stream makes a descent of 37 ft. 
 in a series of cascades. Released from the mountains, after passing Georgetown, the 
 river widens into the lake-like stream which we have seen in front of Washington. 
 
COLUMBIAN UNIVERSITY. 
 
 219 
 
 There is a fine view of the Falls from either side, the ledges and rugged boulders 
 appearing to advantage. Mingling with the wild aspect of nature is the eedar, oak, 
 willow, birch, and jessamine. Wild cherries and strawberries in season are found in 
 great abundanee. The most venomous reptiles abound. The scene in winter is en- 
 chanting, great masses of ice piled up on cither side, and the rocks and trees frosted 
 with spray, form a charming surrounding for the boiling torrent in the channel. 
 
 HistOTy. — Surveys for the supply of the city with water were made by Major 
 L'Enfant, unaer the direction of Washington. In 1S50 surveys were made by Col. 
 Hughes from the Great Falls and Rock creek. The first ground on the Washington 
 Aqueduct was broken by President Pierce on Nov. 8, 1853, in the presence of a large 
 assemblage of officials and civilians. The length of pipe line is 18 m. ; number ot 
 culverts, 26 m. ; tunnels, 12, the longest 1,458 ft. Total, 6,653 ft. Bridges 6, viz, 
 cut stone, 4, and iron truss, 2. In Georgetown is a high-service reservoir 120 ft. 
 in diameter. The work was commenced by Capt. M. C. Meigs, U. S Corps of 
 Engineers, and cost 3,500,000. The Aqueduct is the third in rank in the United 
 States. 
 
 Kalorama. — The residence of Joel Barlow, 1805-'ll, author, 
 poet, politician, and diplomat, who died in Poland, 1812, 
 stands on the brow of a beautiful hill, NW. of Washington 
 and near the Metropolitan horse railway, Georgetown branch, 
 at the P st. bridge over Rock Creek. 
 
 About 5 min. Walk from the W. end of the P street bridge, 
 is a small brick vanity belonging to the Kalorama estate. 
 
 In the vault arc the remains of Judith Baldwin, wife of Joel Barlow, died 1818, 
 Henry Baldwin, of Pennsylvania, an associate justice of the Supreme Court of the 
 United States, died 1844; Abraham Baldwin, a Senator from Georgia, died 1807 ; 
 and George Bomford, Colonel of U. S. Ordnance Corps, died 1848. The body of 
 Commodore Decatur was also placed here, Mar. 24, 1820, two days after his fatal 
 duel In 1846 Decatur's remains were removed to St. Peter's church burial ground, 
 Philadelphia 
 
 Meridian Hill.— N. of the city, at the terminus of 16th st. 
 W., so named as being on the meridian of the District of Co- 
 lumbia, indicated by the meridian stone, established imme- 
 diately W. of the National Washington Monument. It was 
 formerly the residence of Commodore Porter. A village is 
 now growing upon its commanding site. 
 
 Columbian University. — ( Open to visitors.) Occupies a fine 
 site N. of the city ; 5 min. walk from the N. terminus of the 
 14th st. horse railway ; was incorporated as a college in 1821, 
 began 1822, a university 1873. (For Medical and Law De- 
 partments, see page 201 . 
 
 The President and Chief Justice of the United States are honorary members of 
 the Board of Trustees and Overseers. The regular course of American universities, 
 classical and scientific, is taught. The average number of students, including the 
 preparatory school, is 300, from all parts of the United States. The grounds com- 
 prise 40 a., and, with the college edifice and other buildings, valued at $400,000. 
 The main building is devoted to class-rooms, chapel, and dormitories. 
 
 Howard University. — (Open to visitoi^s.) Occupies a con- 
 spicuous site ]ST. of the city on the r. of the 7th st. road and 
 may be reached by horse cars from the N. terminus of 7th 
 and 9th sts. horse railways. It was incorporated in 1867 for 
 the education of youth, without reference to sex or color. The 
 pupils, however, are almost exclusively colored. 
 
220 
 
 HOWARD UNIVERSITY. 
 
 The University Building, of patent brick, is 3 stones high, covered with a man- 
 sard and tower, and contains philosophical, lecture and recitation rooms; library, mu- 
 seum and offices. On the NE. is Miner Hall, ladies' dormitories and dining rooms, 
 named after Miss Miner, a teacher of colored children in the days of slavery, in the 
 District. This lady left $5,000 invested in real estate in Washington ; since sold 
 for $40,000, the interest of which is at present devoted to the normal department of 
 the University. To the N. of the latter is the Normal Building, and N. of the main 
 building is Clarke Hall, named after David Clarke, of Hartford, Conn., a gentleman 
 of large benevolence and a liberal friend to the University. These halls accommo- 
 date 300 students. There are also residences for the professors. The grounds com- 
 prise 35 a. Total value of property, £6oo,cco. A short distance S. is the Medical 
 Department and Freedmen s Hospital, rented and managed under the Interior De- 
 partment. 
 
WAYLAND SEMINARY. 
 
 221 
 
 Capitol Spring.— To the NE. of the Howard University is 
 Smith's Spring, the waters of which were conducted in pipes 
 to the Capitof in 1830. (See Capitol Grounds.) 
 
 Wayland Seminary. -{Open to visitors.) Occupies a com- 
 manding position N. of the city on Meridian Hill, about 10 min . 
 walk N. W. from the N. terminus of the 14th st. horse rail- 
 
 W The Institution was founded in 1865 by the Baptist church for .the = education of 
 colored preachers and teachers. The building which is of brick ^ "°" c » 
 with basement, Mansard and lofty tower, was erected in I b 7 £■ 4, cos = 
 paid out of voluntary contributions, and will accommodate zoo students. The 
 
222 
 
 SOLDIER*' HOME. 
 
 work was done by colored labor. The Seminary is one of the seven schools in the 
 South, established and fostered by the American Baptist Home Mission Society. 
 It is not yet in full operation in the new building. 
 
 WATLAXD SEMINARY. 
 
 Soldiers' Home, (grounds open everyday, except Sunday, ) lies 
 about 3 m. X. of the Capitol. It is one of the most attractive 
 drives around the city. It may be reached by pedestrians 
 from the "toll-gate" on the 7th-st. road, which point is ac- 
 cessible by the 7th-st. and Silver Spring horse cars; the latter 
 being a continuation of the former, though a separate line. 
 
 The original site consisted of about 200 a., since ex- 
 tended to 500 a. by purchases, including Harewood, the seat 
 of W. W. Corcoran. The grounds are laid out in meadows, 
 lakes, and 7 m. of beautiful drives. The main building, the 
 dormitory, is of marble, Norman in design, and measures 
 200 ft. front. In the rear is a wing of 60 ft., used for a mess 
 
GRAVE OF MAJOR PETER CHARLES L'ENFANT. 223 
 
 room. On the lawn are a flag-staff* and cannon. On the 
 E. of the main building is an additional dormitory, the sta- 
 bles, conservatory, and fruit garden. On the W. is the Riggs 
 
 homestead, now the 
 hospital, and near by 
 the quarters of the 
 governor and officers 
 of the institution. S. 
 of this is the sur- 
 geon's residence. 
 SE .of the main build- 
 ing is a beautiful Sen- 
 eca stone chapel, fin- 
 ished in 1871, and 
 gardener's lodge. In 
 the distance S. is the 
 new hospital, a com- 
 modious brick struc- 
 ture, and the build- 
 ings close by are used 
 by the farmer. The 
 Home was first open- 
 ed in 1851, and has 
 accommodations for 400 inmates. The soldiers keep the 
 roads in order and perform police duty. The Home was the 
 favorite summer residence of Presidents Pierce, Buchanan, 
 and Lincoln. 
 
 On the brow of the hill, \ m.W. of S. of the main building, 
 raised on a granite pedestal, and facing the Capital, stands 
 a statue of General Winfield Scott, at the time of his conquest 
 of Mexico, by Launt Thompson, 1873, bronze, 10 ft. high, 
 cast by R. Woods & Co., Philadelphia, Penna. Cost $18,000. 
 Erected in 1874 by the Home. Through General Scott the 
 Home was founded. From the site may be had an excellent 
 view. § 
 
 In 1851 Congress appropriated out of the Treasury $118,791, the balance of $300,- 
 000 pillage money levied on the city of Mexico by General VVinfield Scott, to go to 
 the founding of a Military Asylum or Soldiers 1 Home. This fund was increased by 
 forfeitures, stoppages, and fines against soldiers, and a tax of 25 now 12. cts. a month 
 on each private soldier of the regular army. The Home was for the benefit of the 
 regulars and volunteers who served in Mexico, and now is for the privates of the 
 regular army, they alone contributing for its support. Pensioners surrender their 
 pensions while at the Home. 
 
 Grave of Major Peter Charles L'Enfant, the designer of the 
 plan of Washington, at Green Hill, the country seat of 
 George W, Riggs, on the early manor of Chillam Castle, 
 now Prince George's county, Maryland, is about 7 m. NE. 
 of Washington. The grave is in the garden, the burial ground 
 of the Digges family, the previous proprietors. The latter 
 have been removed. The grave is without a marked stone. 
 
 soldiers' home, main building. 
 
224 
 
 ROCK-CREEK CHURCH. 
 
 Major L'Enfant was born in France about 1755. He was a 
 subordinate officer in the French service. In 1778 he was 
 made a captain of engineers in the Continental army. His 
 gallantry and ability, displayed especially at Savannah, at- 
 tracted the attention of Washington. In 1783 he was pro- 
 moted to major. In March, 1791, he was ordered to George- 
 town to join Mr.EUieott, the chief surveyor, with instructions 
 u to draw the site of the federal town and buildings." Not 
 sharing in the practical views of the commissioners, who 
 desired copies of his plan for circulation, as an inducement 
 to purchasers of lots, a controversy sprung up, which was 
 aggravated by some high-handed measures, chiefly an attempt 
 to demolish the residence of Mr. Carroll, one of the commis- 
 sioners, which interfered with the execution of his plan on 
 the ground. These resulted in his dismissal, after a brief 
 service of one year. In 170-1 he was employed on Fort Mif- 
 flin, below Philadelphia. It is said he was offered, in 1812, 
 a professorship of engineers at West Point. The last days 
 of his life were spent around Washington. He found a home 
 on the farm of Mr. Digges, and died in the summer of 1825, 
 at the advanced age of 70 years. His remains still moulder 
 beneath the sod where the kind hand of charity laid them. 
 
 Kock-Oreek Church and Cemetery. — {Church services, Epis- 
 copal, every Sabbath at\l a. w?., and Cemetery open every clay, 
 except Sunday.) — The cemetery lies contiguous to the Sol- 
 diers' Home on the X., and is easy of access from the horse 
 cars on the 7th-st. road. It comprises about one-half of the 
 glebe, 100 a., the gift of John Bradford, about 1719. The 
 church, which lies on the W., properly St. Paul's Episcopal 
 Church, Rock-creek Parish, was erected in 1710, rebuilt in 
 1775, and remodeled in 1S0S. The bricks were imported from 
 England. The main walls are the same as erected in 1719. 
 The bible used is an Oxford edition of 1727. Immediately 
 around the church are a number of old graves, marked by 
 rude stones, and over them stands a venerable oak, the out- 
 spreading branches of which cover an area of 126 ft. in diam- 
 eter. The oldest monuments are E. of the church, of the 
 Gramphin family, 1775. In this cemetery is the grave of Pe- 
 ter Force, with a fine monument. 
 
 National Military Cemetery, (open from sunrise to sunset,} 
 lies N. of and adjoins the Soldiers' Home, and E. of Rock- 
 Creek Cemetery. It was established in 1861, and contains 
 5,424 interments : known 5145, unknown 279, and Confeder- 
 ates 271. There are a fine keeper's lodge and conservatory. 
 Adjoining, on the N., is the Cemetery of the Soldiers' Home. 
 
BLADEN SB UHG. 
 
 225 
 
 Glenwood Cemetery, (open every day except Sunday,) 1J 
 m. N. of the Capitol, is situated at the head of Lincoln av., 
 reached from the Columbia st. -railway at N. Capitol St., dis- 
 tance 1 m. It was incorporated in 1854, and contains 90 a. 
 The grounds are beautifully laid out in drives and walks. 
 The public vault is a fine structure. Amos Kendall, 
 Postmaster General 1835- , 40 is buried here. Outside the 
 gateway are Prospect Hill Cemetery, 17 a., incorporated in 
 1860, St. Mary's (Roman Catholic) Burying Ground, 3 a. 
 
 Bladensburg, a post-village of Prince George's co., Md., 
 lies 6 m. N. E. of Washington, on the Baltimore railroad 
 and turnpike. It was founded about 1750, and named 
 after Martin Blanden,one of the Lords' Commissioners of 
 Trade and Plantations. Before the Revolution it was a 
 place of some commercial and agricultural importance. 
 In those days the Anacostia, upon which it stands, ad- 
 mitted of navigation to the town. Over the stream was 
 the bridge, and W. the field of the disastrous battle of Au- 
 gust 24, 1814, which opened Washington to the enemy, 
 and gave the name of Bladensburg a place in history. On 
 the open ground was the position bravely defended by 
 Commodore Barney and his gallant soldiers and marines. 
 
 About i m. S. E. of the village, on the turnpike, was the notorious u duelling 
 gronnd." The District line runs through the valley, thus enabling parties 
 from the District and Virginia to pass into Maryland. The most painful of 
 all duels fought here was that between Commodores Decatur, the hero of the 
 Algerine war, and Barron, in 1820, in which the former was mortally wounded. 
 The spot was the scene of many other duels, but not of late years. The duel 
 between Henry Clay and John Randolph of Roanoke, in 1826, took place on 
 the Virginia shore of the Potomac river, near Washington. 
 
 Near Bladensburg, a short distance from the turnpike, stood the family man- 
 sion of George Calvert, the lineal descendant of the Baron of Baltimore. 
 
 Columbia Institution for the Deaf and Dumb and 
 National Deaf-Mute College, (open every day except Sun- 
 day,) entrance at N. end of 7th st. E.. also W. end M st. 
 N. ; 10 minutes from Columbia horse R. K. The grounds, 
 known as " Kendall Green," were previously the home 
 of Amos Kendall, Postmaster General of the United States 
 1835-'40. The first portion occupied was but a few acres 
 and a small building, presented by Mr. Kendall. Sub- 
 sequently, 25 acres were purchased, and in 1872 the entire 
 estate of 100 acres. The grounds and buildings were 
 vested in the United States as trustee. 
 
 The institution, incorporated in 1857, nas since been sustained by Congress 
 as the institution where Government beneficiaries, viz., deaf-mute children of 
 the District of Columbia, and of the army and navy, should receive free edu- 
 cation. A collegiate department was organized in 1864 by Congress, and is 
 named the National Deaf-Mute College. Both are open to both sexes. 
 
226 
 
 DEAF AND DUMB ASYLUM. 
 
 THE COLUMBIA INSTITUTION FOR THE DEAF AND DUMB. 
 
 The main central building, dedicated in 1871, was the gift 
 of the Government. It is a fine specimen of the pointed 
 Gothic architecture of the 14th century. It is 216 by 76 ft., 
 and is faced on all sides with Connecticut brown-stone, in- 
 terspersed with courses of white Ohio sandstone, and cov- 
 ered with roofs of red and blue slate, laid in patterns and 
 courses. 
 
 The main entrance is under a recessed porch, formed by 
 three pointed arches of alternate brown and white sandstone 
 blocks, supported by double sets of dwarf columns of highly 
 polished Scotch granite, with brown-stone bases and carved 
 white sandstone capitals. This porch is paved with white 
 and black marble tiles, and surmounted by an angular pedi- 
 ment containing a carved half-relief figure of the Ameri- 
 can eagle, with the stars and stripes on the shield over its 
 breast. 
 
 From this porch leads a small vestibule at either end into 
 the main hall, or chapel, a room 56 ft. square and 38 ft. high, 
 with a paneled ceiling of light and dark colored wood, with 
 massive brackets, cornice, and panel mouldings, the walls be- 
 ing frescoed in delicate tints in plain panels. The walls, to 
 about 8 ft. from the floor, are protected by a paneled wain- 
 scot, painted in strong party colors, with the pulpit, platform, 
 and front, and folding-doors to match. The room is lighted 
 by ten large stained-glass windows. 
 
 Adjoining on the E., and separated from the chapel by 
 eight sliding doors 15 ft. high and 27 ft. wide, is the lecture 
 room. Over the sliding doors is a solid white sandstone arch 
 
MOUNT OLIVET CEMETERY. 
 
 227 
 
 of 27 ft. span, springing from light stone columns with carved 
 capitals. The lectuTe room is about 30 by 40 ft. in size, with 
 a raised floor. 
 
 The remainder of the E. wing on this floor is occupied by 
 a large dining-hall, or refectory, for the pupils of the primary 
 department, with its corridors and stairs ; and with kitchens, 
 bakery, and store-rooms in the basement below, and large 
 dormitories in the attic above. 
 
 The W. wing contains a large dining-hall for the students 
 of the college, with its pantries and store-rooms. In the hall 
 of this wing a stairway affords access to the tower. In the 
 basement under this wing is an extensive laundry, steam- 
 drying rooms, and store-rooms, while the basement under 
 the chapel contains the fuel and boiler rooms. 
 
 In the chapel is a line plaster cast of Abbe de l'Epee, taken 
 from his tomb in the old church of Saint Roch, Paris ; also 
 one of Abbe Sicard. The former, about the year 1760, de- 
 veloped and applied the system of communication for deaf 
 mutes by means of natural signs. Abbe Sicard subsequently 
 perfected the system. There is also a portrait of the Rev. 
 Thomas H. Gallaudet, formerly principal of the American 
 Asylum at Hartford, Connecticut. That gentleman was sent 
 abroad to acquire the system of instruction by natural signs. 
 He chose the French system, now in use by the Institution 
 and College, and also generally throughout the United States. 
 The E. building is occupied by the primary department, 
 and contains several school rooms, chapel, library, reception 
 parlor, private rooms of instructors, and dormitory for boys, 
 and another in a remote part of the building for girls. The 
 W. building is used by the College. In the rear and W. of 
 the main central building is the finished wing of a dormitory 
 for College students. The value of the property is $350,000. 
 
 Mount Olivet Cemetery (open every day) lies on the 1. of 
 the Columbia turnpike, J m. ]ST. of the E. terminus of the 
 Columbia horse railway. It comprises 70 a. It was incor- 
 porated in 1862, in the names of the parish priests of the 
 four Roman Catholic churches of Washington. The grounds 
 are well laid out, and shaded with oak and evergreens. 
 Father Matthews, one of the earliest priests who arrived in 
 the city after its occupation by the Government, is buried 
 here, also Lieut. Col. Garesche, A. A. G. to General Rose- 
 cranz, killed at Murfreesboro, 1862 ; Mrs. Surratt, executed 
 for complicity in the assassination of President Lincoln ; and 
 Wirz, the keeper of the Andersonville prison pen for na- 
 tional soldiers during the rebellion, lSei-^, and executed 
 in Washington at its close. The entrance to the cemetery 
 
228 GOVERNMENT HOSPITAL FOR THE INSANE. 
 
 is at the SE. corner on the Columbia turnpike, where there 
 is a neat superintendent's residence. 
 
 Graceland Cemetery (open from sunrise to sunset) is situated 
 immediately outside the E. limits of the city, at the terminus 
 of the Columbia horse railway. The cemetery was opened 
 in 1872, and comprises about 40 a. 
 
 Eeform School of the District of Columbia occupies a com- 
 manding site on the S. side of the Washington and Baltimore 
 turnpike, 2 m. from the E. terminus of the Columbia horse 
 railway. The school, which is for boys only, was established 
 by Congress in 1860, and is under the supervision of the 
 Department of Justice. It was first located on the Govern- 
 ment farm, on the Aqueduct road, 4 m. above Georgetown, 
 but owing to the unheal thiness of that section was, in 1871, 
 removed to its present situation. The farm comprises 150 a. 
 The buildings stand on Lincoln's Hill, so-called from the 
 fort of that name in the defenses of Washington during the 
 rebellion, and which crowned the hill. They are 230 ft. 
 above the Anacostia, which runs in the rear, and command 
 a view of four railroads, portions of Washington, the National 
 Insane Asylum, the Soldiers' Home, Bladensburg, the Mary- 
 land State Agricultural School, and a vast sweep of country 
 into Maryland and Virginia. 
 
 The main building is occupied by the superintendent, 
 boys' dining room, chapel, library, and reflecting room. The 
 reception room for strangers is on the 1. of the main entrance. 
 On either side of the main building are two detached wings, 
 occupied by the assistants, and as school and dormitories. 
 The boys divide their time in the school and shops. The 
 boys are kept till reformed or their majority. The buildings 
 and grounds will be greatly improved. 
 
 Zoological Society was incorporated in 1870, with authority 
 to import animals free of duty, and granting the free use of 
 water from the Aqueduct. The site secured for the purpose 
 comprises 20 a., lies about \ m. SE. of the E. terminus of 
 the Columbia horse railway, and extends to the Anacostia. 
 On the ground is Gibson's spring, which will be converted 
 into fish ponds. During the rebellion, 1861-'65, a pipe from 
 this spring supplied the cavalry and infantry camps estab- 
 lished in the adjacent valley and on the neighboring hills. 
 
 Government Hospital for the Insane, (visiting days, Wednes- 
 days, from 2 to 6 p. m.) This institution, on the S. bank of 
 
ALEXANDRIA. 
 
 229 
 
 the Anacostia, is accessible from the Navy-yard terminus of 
 the Pennsylvania av. street car.?, across the bridge at the fuot 
 of 11th st. E., and by the high road ascending the hill towards 
 the r., which passes the gate. The village at the S. end of 
 the bridge is known as Uniontown. The distance from the 
 horse cars to the Asylum is about 2 m. The institution is 
 for the use of the army and navy and District of Columbia, 
 and embraces indigent and independent patients. The gen- 
 eral supervision is under the Secretaiy of the Interior, and 
 it is supported by the National Government. The home 
 tract, 185 a., is inclosed by a wall 9 ft. high. Subsequent 
 additions, however, have increased the estate to 419 a., which 
 is cultivated for the benefit of the institution, and which fur- 
 nishes occupation for many of the patients. The commodious 
 structure is of brick, occupies the crest of the range of hills 
 overlooking the mouth of the Anacostia, and consists of a 
 centre, with connecting ranges and receding wings, with 
 buttresses, iron window hoods, and an embattled parapet. 
 The centre is four stories, and the wings three and four 
 stories. The building is 750 ft. long. There are accommo- 
 dations for 550 patients, though the number generally ex- 
 ceeds 600. The W. wing is devoted to males and the E. to 
 females. The centre contains the residence of the superin- 
 tendent and staff officers, dispensary, and chapel. There 
 are six billiard tables for patients. In the basement are the 
 kitchen, store-rooms, &c. There are two buildings in the 
 rear for colored patients; also gas works, machine shops, 
 barn, and stables. The institution was opened in 1855. 
 Trior to t hat time the insane under the care of the Govern- 
 ment were sent to Baltimore. 
 
 Alexandria. — This city, originally called Bellhaven, stands 
 in Virginia, on the r. bank of ' the Potomac river, at the con- 
 fluence of that stream and Hunting Creek, 7 m. S. of Wash- 
 ington. The boats of the Washington and Alexandria ferry, 
 from the foot of 7th street W., reached by horse cars, run 
 every hour from 6 a. m. to 7 p. m., on Sunday from 9 a. m. 
 Single fare 15 cts.. round trip 25 cts. The steam cars leave 
 at the same intervals from 6 a. m. to 8 p. m. from the depot 
 on 6th st., S. of Pennsylvania av. The city is picturesquely 
 situated on the side of a range of low hills, and is surrounded 
 by a fertile and well-cultivated country. The town was 
 founded in 1748. In 1755 five colonial governors met here in 
 connection with Braddock's expedition, which started here. 
 In the early colonial days it was the rival of Baltimore in 
 commerce, but superior advantages and other facilities at- 
 tractive of trade soon advanced the metropolis of Maryland 
 
230 
 
 ALEXANDRIA. 
 
 beyond the successful rivalry of the quaint Virginia town on 
 the Potomac. 
 
 During the Revolution it was a point of great strategic im- 
 portance. The British General Gage, in 1776, from Pitts- 
 burg, in co-operation with Earl Dunmore's fleet from the 
 sea, planned an attack on the town, designing, by holding 
 this position, to cut oft* communication between the N. and 
 S. armies. The expedition, however, was not carried out. 
 Washington always took a great interest in the welfare of 
 the place. Among other evidences of this affection he be- 
 queathed £1,000 for the benefit of a free school here. 
 
 During the invasion of the British, on Aug. 28, 1814, after 
 Fort Warburton, (Washington,) below, had been blown up 
 and abandoned without firing a gun, the town surrendered to 
 the British squadron. Five days after the enemy's vessels 
 left with 16,000 bbls. of flour, 1,000 hhcls. of tobacco, and 
 other property, including 3 ships and some river craft. 
 
 The city and county were included in the original survey 
 of the District of Columbia, but in 1846, with all that part 
 on the W. side of the Potomac, was retroceded to Virginia. 
 
 About 1 m. SE. of the city, on the point of a small pen- 
 insula formed by the junction of Hunting creek and the 
 Potomac, is the initial point of the original boundaries of the 
 District of Columbia. 
 
 In the court of the Mansion House, on Fairfax St., is an old 
 structure known as Washington'' s Headquarters, having been 
 occupied, it is said, by the General when in Alexandria. At 
 the intersection of Washington and Cameron sts. is Christ 
 Episcopal Church, commenced in 1765 and finished in 1773, 
 built of bricks imported from England. The interior has 
 been renovated of late years; though some of the wood- work 
 about the chancel is old. The principal interest is associated 
 with the fact that Washington was a member of the vestry of 
 this church. His pew was "No. 59, on the 1. of the 1. aisle. A 
 little back is pew No. 46, used by Kobert E. Lee, General of 
 the Confederate forces, who came here from Arlington to 
 worship. Marble tablets on the 1. and r. of the chancel have 
 been placed in the walls to their memory. In the church- 
 3 T ard the oldest tombstone is 1771. The city hall, market- 
 house, and masonic hall occupy a fine building. Near the 
 city is a National Cemetery, which contains the remains of 
 3,635 soldiers of the rebellion. 
 
 A branch of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal connects the 
 city with Georgetown. The river in front is 1 m. wide. The 
 shipping of the place amounts to about 182 vessels; sail, 
 steam, and unrigged, 8,210 tons. The principal exports are 
 tobacco, corn, and coal. It also has railroad communication 
 
MOUNT VERNON. 
 
 231 
 
 with the N. and S. A new line, to connect with the Balti- 
 more and Ohio Railroad at Bladensburg, is now being built, 
 and will cross the Potomac at this point. The population is 
 13,570. 
 
 Mount Vernon, steamer daily, except Sunday, at 10 a, m., 
 from the foot of 7th st. W., reached 
 by horse-cars, fare $1.50 round trip, 
 to include admission to the grounds. 
 Distance, 15 m. Return 4 p. m. 
 
 Leaving the wharf, the boat runs 
 close to the shore, and along the 
 Arsenal grounds, at the foot of 
 which the Anacostia enters the Po- 
 tomac. The village on the r. is 
 Uniontown, and on the hill is the 
 National Insane Asylum. On the 
 1. is the Navy Yard. On the S. 
 point of the river is Giesboro'. Dur- 
 ing the rebellion a large number of 
 cavalry horses were kept here for 
 the supply of the army. During a 
 stampede on one occasion over 1000 
 were drowned in the river. The 
 steamer now directs her course to- 
 wards Alexandria, 6 m. below. Af- 
 ter leaving Alexandria, the steamer 
 passes Jones's point on the r. A 
 lighthouse stands on the point at 
 the location of the initial stone of the 
 boundaries of the District, planted 
 in 1791. The lines extend NE. and NW. Hunting creek 
 here enters the Potomac. The steamer next touches at 
 Fort Foote, an earthwork on the Maryland shore. Broad 
 creek enters below. The next landing is at Fort Washington, 
 on the same side. This is an old work, mounting guiis in 
 casemate and barbette. On the high ground opposite the 
 first view of the home of Washington may be had. The 
 road from the wharf leads to the vault within which is the 
 marble sarcophagus containing the remains of General George 
 Washington. By the side is another with the simple inscrip- 
 tion, Martha, the Consort of Washington, who died May 21, 
 1801, aged 71 years. The obelisk on the r. approaching is to 
 Bushrod Washington, Associate Justice of the Supreme Court 
 of the United States, a nephew of General Washington, and 
 to whom Mount Vernon was bequeathed, died 1829. That 
 on the 1. is to John Augustine Washington, to whom Mount 
 
 THE MANSION. 
 
232 
 
 MOUNT VERNON. 
 
 Vernon was bequeathed by Judge Bushrod Washington, died 
 1832. The path to the r. leads towards the mansion. On 
 the 1. is the vault in which the remains of Washington were 
 first placed. 
 
 The Mansion fronts NW., the rear looking toward the river. 
 It is of wood, cut in imitation of stone, and 96 ft. in length, 
 surmounted by a cupola. The centre was built by Lawrence 
 Washington, brother to the General ; the wings were added 
 by the General. It is named after Admiral Vernon, in whose 
 expedition Lawrence Washington served. The house and 
 grounds, 6 a., as far as practicable, are as left by Washing- 
 ton. 
 
 The Mount Vernon Ladies'' Association of the Union, incor- 
 porated in 1856, purchased the mansion and contiguous 
 grounds. In the hall is the key to 
 the Bastile, presented to Washing- 
 ton by Lafayette after the destruc- 
 tion of that French prison, 1789. 
 In the E. parlor are interesting 
 relics of Washington — a dress, 
 sword, spy-glass, "water buckets, 
 tripod. In the dining hall are 
 portraits of Washington in 1786, a 
 copy from Trumbull, and a copy 
 from Stuart, 1795. The mantel 
 was carved in Italy and presented. 
 In this room is the great painting 
 of Washington before Yorktown, by 
 Rembrandt Peale. He is repre- 
 sented as accompanied by Generals 
 Lafayette, Hamilton, Knox, Lin- 
 coln, and Rochambeau, and giving 
 orders to commence the entrench- 
 ments before Yorktown. In the 
 W. parlor is an old painting repre- 
 senting the attack on Carthagena, 
 Admiral Vernon commanding, 
 1741, and Washington's holsters 
 and camp equipage, also a globe. 
 In the second story ; at the head of 
 Liie stairs, is luajayexie s room. The room in which Waslv- 
 ington died, December 14, 1799, is at the S. end of the build- 
 ing on this floor. It is a small apartment. The bed is that 
 on which he rested. There is a fine view of the surround- 
 ing country from the cupola. On the r. of the mansion 
 facing the lawn are the servants' hall, gardener's lodge, a 
 modern building, and the spinning and weaving house. On 
 
 GRAVE OF WASHINGTON. 
 
DEFENSES OJ? 1 WASHINGTON. 
 
 233 
 
 the same side is the garden laid out by Washington. On the 
 N. side are conservatories which replaced the old ones con- 
 sumed by fire. The ruins of the old servants' quarters are 
 near by. On the opposite side of the lawn are the family 
 kitchen, butler's house, smoke house, and laundry, and in 
 the rear of all the stables. On the lawn are several ash and! 
 and a magnolia tree planted by Washington. 
 
 Defenses of Washington. — The inauguration of actual hos- 
 tilities by the bombardment of Fort Sumter, April 12, 13, 
 1861, warned the National Government of the necessity of 
 measures of protection. One of the first thoughts was the 
 security of the Nation's Capital. The hastily-improvised first 
 defensive preparations, after some squeamish hesitation about 
 invading a State, were seconded by occupying the S. shore of 
 the Potomac, and holding the debouches into Virginia. This 
 was necessitated by the proximity of Arlington Heights, from 
 which the enemy's artillery could shell the city. On the night 
 of May 23, 1861, the army, in three columns, crossed the 
 Potomac, one, under Major Wood, by the Georgetown Aque- 
 duct ; another, under Major (General) Hemtzelman, by the 
 Long Bridge; and the third, under Colonel Ellsworth, by 
 water to Alexandria. Fort Corcoran, a tete-de-pont, was 
 commenced before daylight, and, with its auxiliary works. 
 Forts Bennett and Haggerty and rifle trenches, around the 
 head of the Aqueduct, Forts Runyon, on the lowland — a tete- 
 cle-pont — and Albany, on Arlington Heights, covering our 
 debouches from the Long Bridge, and Fort Ellsworth, on 
 Shuter's Hill, back of Alexandria, formed the basis of the 
 line S. of the Potomac. By the time of the advance of 
 McDowell's arm3 r , seven weeks, these works were nearly 
 completed. 
 
 The Bull Run disaster made it apparent that a protracted 
 war was inevitable. The Heights of Arlington were effect- 
 ively fortified by intermediate works, and, with Fort Run- 
 yon, formed a " couronne," covering the bridge and heights- 
 These works were preliminary and auxiliary to that line of 
 impregnable fortifications which later encircled the Capital* 
 The sj'stem of works, constituting and appropriately desig- 
 nated the Defenses of Washingtoii, were divided into four 
 groups. 1. Those S. of the Potomac, commencing with Fort 
 Lyon, below Alexandria, and terminating with Fort De- 
 Kalb, (Strong,) opposite Georgetown. 2. Those of the Chain 
 Bridge. 3. Those N. of the Potomac, between that river 
 and the Anacostia, commencing with Fort Sumner and ter- 
 minating with Fort Lincoln. 4. Those S. of the Anacostia r 
 commencing with Fort Mahan and terminating with Fort 
 
234 
 
 DEFENSES OF WASHINGTON. 
 
 Greble, nearly opposite Alexandria. The perimeter, from 
 Fort Lyon to Fort Greble, was 33 m., and, including the in- 
 terval across the Potomac, between Greble and Lyon, a total 
 of 37 m. At the close of hostilities, in April, 1865, the De- 
 fenses consisted of 68 inclosed forts and batteries and em- 
 placements, for 1,120 guns, 807 of which, and 98 mortars, 
 were actually mounted : 93 unarmed batteries for field guns, 
 having 401 emplacements, and 20 m. of rifle-trenches, and 3 
 block houses. There were also 32 m. of specially-constructed 
 military roads. 
 
 In 1864 the garrisons S. of the Potomac consisted of one 
 division, under General DeRussy, four brigades, under 
 Colonels Tidball, Tannatt, Abbott, and Schirmer — 11,011 
 men ; N. of the Potomac, one division, under Lieutenant 
 Colonel Haskin, aid-de-camp, with three brigades, under 
 Colonels Morris, Gibson, and Piper — 18,863 men. To pre- 
 vent a sudden dash, the minor roads were obstructed by 
 abattis and stockades. The fords of the Potomac above and 
 the S. front were picketed with cavalry. An infantry divis- 
 ion lay towards Bull Run, and infantry pickets were stationed 
 on the N. front. A provost guard of 1,77 6 men, under General 
 Martindale, were on duty in Washington, and 1,090 men, 
 under General Slough, in Alexandria. At the artillery depot 
 at Camp Barry were 2,000 men and 17 batteries. 
 
 The garrisons varied in numbers, yet the over-sensitiveness 
 of the Government, respecting the safety of the Capital, con- 
 stantly required the presence of a large force. The exigen- 
 cies of the service in the field, however, on several occasions 
 necessitated a reduction. 
 
 The efforts of Gen. Grant, in 1864, to overwhelm Lee had 
 caused the withdrawal of the well-trained artillerists, and 
 their places were filled by new levies. As an offset to the 
 vigorous movements of the Army of the Potomac, Early 
 made his demonstration upon Washington. A brisk engage- 
 ment took place at Rockville, 16 m. from Washington. On 
 July 11, with 20,000 men, he appeared before Fort Stevens, 
 on the 7th-st. road. The pickets retired, and the guns of 
 Fort Stevens, Slocum, and DeRussy opened and checked the 
 enemy, who retired the following night. 
 
 The ruins of the now dismantled and deserted Defenses of 
 Washington may yet be seen on almost every eminence in 
 the vicinity of the city. During their use they accomplished 
 an important work. They saved the nation from further ca- 
 lamities after Bull Run, when the enemy was in sight on 
 Munson Hill, and from attack after the failures of McClel- 
 lan's campaign against Richmond, and the retreat of Pope, 
 in 1862. It is to be hoped the hand of fratricidal strife may 
 never again revive the sad work. 
 
SECTION VI. 
 
 HISTOM OF WASHINGTON. 
 
 k)HE first attempt to explore the Chesapeake and 
 * its tributaries was made in 1608, by Captain John 
 Smith, from the Jamestown settlement. Pie left an 
 interesting narrative of his discoveries. He speaks 
 of the "Patawomeke " as 6 or 7 m. in breadth, and 
 navigable 140 m. The Indian name was Cohongu- 
 roton, or river of swans. The shores of the great bay and 
 river had a large aboriginal population, not less than forty 
 tribes, members of the numerous and warlike Algonquin 
 family, who lived by fishing, the cultivation of maize, and 
 warring upon their neighbors. The point of the tongue of 
 land now occupied by tile Arsenal was the seat of the council 
 fire. The Manahoacks occupied the lands between the rivers, 
 but about 1660, after a severe war with the Powhatans, were 
 overcome, and fled to the West, where they joined the Tus- 
 caroras. 
 
 In 1634. Henry Fleet, with a party of Calvert's settlers, vis- 
 ited the falls of the Potomac. In 1663, a tract of land 400 a., 
 called Room, (Rome,) was laid out for Francis Pope, gentle- 
 man, on the east side of the Anacostian river, and to the 
 mouth of the Tiber. Another tract, of 500 a., for Captain 
 Robert Troop, called Scotland Yard, was laid out adjoining 
 on the same date. The lands of the western portion of the 
 city, called "The Widow's Mite," 600 a., were laid out in 
 1681 for William Langworth. All were in Charles county, 
 province of Maryland. 
 
 In 1790-'91, Daniel Carroll owned the lands on the Ana- 
 cost ia, Xotley Young, in the forks of the river and to the 
 northward, and David Burns on the west, towards George- 
 town. On the bank of the river, east of the Observatory, 
 was a settlement called Hamburg, previously Funkstown. 
 On the Anacostia, a short distance above the Arsenal, was 
 Carrollsburg. The arable lands were tilled, and produced 
 wheat, tobacco, and maize. 
 
 On April 30, 1783, nineteen days after the proclamation of 
 
 (23d) 
 
236 
 
 HISTORY OF WASHINGTON. 
 
 a cessation of hostilities between the late British Colonies in 
 North America and the mother country, the subject of a per- 
 manent capital for the general government of the United 
 States of America was incidentally alluded to in Congress. 
 In March, 1783, the legislature of New York offered to cede 
 the town of Kingston as a place of permanent meeting. 
 Shortly after, Maryland tendered Annapolis for the same 
 purpose; also $180,000 if selected. 
 
 A proposition by a prominent gentleman was the location 
 of the capital, for a term of thirteen years, at some cf the 
 growing western settlements, such as Detroit, Louisville, 
 Kaskaskia, St. Vincent's, and Sandusky; stating that u an 
 amazing value would be added to that important territory ; " 
 that it would * k accelerate the rapidity of its settlement and 
 population," and at about twelve cents an acre would extin- 
 guish the national debt; that Congress should assume plen- 
 ary jurisdiction over a compass of twenty miles square ; should 
 form a government "on the most perfect plan of modern re- 
 finement ; " in place of certificates, should award the lands in 
 the vicinity u to those brave officers and men who served in 
 the late glorious war." These, Spartan-like, it was expected, 
 would form " an impregnable bulwark against the natives," 
 or any other dangers. "Williamsburg, the old capital of Vir- 
 ginia, was offered at the same time. 
 
 On October 6, 1783, Congress voted upon the selection of 
 a State, as they existed at that time, beginning with New 
 Hampshire, and proceeding in order southward. New Jersey 
 and Maryland received the highest number of votes, but no 
 choice was made. The next day, on a resolution b} r Eldridge 
 Gerry, the location of the " Federal City " was voted on or 
 near the falls of the Delaware, near Trenton, and a commit- 
 tee of five was appointed to examine the locality and report. 
 On October 21 following, the erection of buildings was author- 
 ized at or near the lower falls of the Potomac or Georgetown, 
 and a committee was appointed to examine and report on that 
 site. Two localities were now provided for, and meanwhile 
 Congress w T as to meet alternately at Trenton and Annapolis. 
 
 The inconvenience of two capitals was soon demonstrated. 
 The Delaware committee reported favorably, and that for the 
 Potomac unfavorably on that location, though they thought 
 better of a site above Georgetown, or 1J m. below, at Funks- 
 town. On December 20, 1784, it was decided inexpedient to 
 erect buildings at more than one place. On December 23 
 three commissioners were appointed to lay out a district of 
 not less than two nor more than 3 m. square, on either side 
 of the Delaware, within 8 m. above or below the falls. 
 
 Commissioners.— 1791-'94, Thomas Johnson, Mcl.; 1791-'95, 
 
HISTORY OF WASHINGTON. 
 
 237 
 
 Daniel Carroll, Mel. ; 1791-94, David Stuart, Va. ; 1794-1800, 
 Gustavus Scott, Mel. ; 1794-1802, William Thornton, Penn. ; 
 1795-1802, Alexander White, Md. ; 1800, William Cranch, 
 Md.: 1800-1802, Tristram Dalton, Md. 
 
 The Constitution of the United States, 1787, gave Congress 
 the power "to exercise exclusive legislation in all cases what- 
 soever over such district, not exceeding 10 m. square, as may, 
 by cession of particular States and the acceptance of Con- 
 gress, become the seat of the Government of the United 
 States." * * * (Art. I, Sec. 8.) 
 
 The first session of Congress of the United States of Amer- 
 ica, assembled under the Constitution, was called upon to 
 enter into this question, confronted by a stronger evidence of 
 sectional spirit than had hitherto been exhibited. Eesolutions 
 from the legislatures of States, besides numerous petitions 
 and memorials, were presented, urging certain localities, and 
 frequently offering great inducements. Districts of 10 m. 
 square, with the right to exercise exclusive jurisdiction, were 
 offered to Congress" for the seat of Government by acts of the 
 General Assemblies of Maryland in December, 1788, Penn- 
 sylvania in September, 1789, and Virginia in December, 1789. 
 As an additional inducement, Virginia offered $120,000, and 
 Maryland $72,000. Pennsylvania, in her grant, excepted 
 Philadelphia, the district of Southwark, and part of the 
 Northern Liberties. Petitions were also received from the 
 inhabitants of Trenton, in New Jersey ; Lancaster, Wright's 
 Ferry, York, Carlisle, Harrisburg, Beading, and German- 
 town, in Pennsylvania, and Baltimore and Georgetown, in 
 Maryland. All expressed their willingness to come under the 
 aegis of Congress and the Constitution, and pictured in glow- 
 ing colors the advantages of climate and scenery, and conve- 
 niences of access which their respective localities possessed. 
 The newspapers of the day frequently took a humorous view 
 of this patriotic competition, and in prose and verse gave vei\t 
 to considerable good-natured sentiment. 
 
 In the second session the Capital question was again agi- 
 tated, and Baltimore, Wilmington, the Delaware, German- 
 town, between the Potomac and the Susquehanna, were all 
 urged ; but the act establishing the temporary Seat of Govern- 
 ment at Philadelphia, from the first Monday in December, 
 1790, and the permanent on the river Potomac, between the 
 mouths of the Eastern Branch (Anacostia) and Conogo- 
 cheague, a tributary of the upper Potomac, to be ready for 
 the sessions of Congress by the first Monday in December, 
 1800, was finally passed, and approved by Washington July 
 16, 1790. In the Senate it received 14 yeas and 12 nays, and 
 in the House 32 yeas and 29 nays. The immediate settle- 
 
238 
 
 HISTORY OF WASHINGTON. 
 
 ment was effected as a compromise with the advocates of a 
 fiscal measure known as the assumption of the State debts. 
 The majority of the votes of the Middle States going with 
 the South, gave the majority for the Potomac. 
 
 The Legislature of Virginia, in December, 1790, appropri- 
 ated the $120,000 previously offered, payable in three annual 
 installments. In December, 1791, the Legislature of Mary- 
 land gave an order for the payment of the $72,000 donated 
 by that State. The December before, the same Legislature 
 passed an act for providing for the condemnation of land, if 
 necessary, for the public buildings. On January 22, 1791, 
 the first commissioners, three in number, were appointed to 
 superintend the affairs of the city. On January 24 the Presi- 
 dent issued a proclamation directing the commissioners to lay 
 down the four experimental lines of boundary, as follows : 
 
 First, by running a line from the court-house of Alexan- 
 dria, in Virginia, due SW. J m., and thence a due SE. course 
 till it struck Hunting Creek. This was to be the initial 
 point, from which the first line was to run due NW. 10 m. ; 
 the second into Maryland due XE. 10 m. ; the third due SE. 
 10 m. ; and the fourth due SW. 10 m. to the beginning, on 
 Hunting Creek. These were approved by Congress. The 
 original act required the location of the District above the 
 mouth of the Eastern Branch or Anacostia river. To con- 
 form the law to the experimental lines, an amendatory act, 
 approved March 3, 1791, repealed the conflicting portion of 
 the act of July 16, 1790, but required the public buildings to 
 be erected on the Maryland side of the Potomac. After the 
 completion of the necessary legislation on the subject, Presi- 
 dent Washington set out on a visit to the Potomac. He 
 arrived March 28, 1791, and put up at Suter's tavern, a one- 
 story frame structure, the favorite resort of travelers arriving 
 at Georgetown. On March 29, in company with the three 
 commissioners and the surveyors, Andrew Ellicott and Major 
 Peter Charles L'Enfant, he rode over the ground. The same 
 night a meeting was held for the purpose of effecting a re- 
 conciliation with the property owners. There were some 
 who desired to derive all the advantages offered by the pro- 
 posed city without making a reasonable concession to its 
 success. The counsel of Washington had its effect. The 
 general terms agreed upon were signed b}^ nineteen of the 
 original proprietors. The President issued a proclamation, 
 dated March 30, 1791, at Georgetown, which defined the lines 
 of the Federal territory accepted by Congress, and ordered 
 the commissioners to proceed forthwith to have the lines 
 permanently marked. 
 
 The President novi left for a brief visit to his home at 
 
HISTORY OF WASHINGTON. 
 
 239 
 
 Mount Vernon ; thence be proceeded to Richmond, Va., to 
 consult with Gov. Beverly Randolph respecting the payment of 
 the $120,000 appropriated by the Commonwealth of Virginia 
 towards the building of the Capital. On April 13 he wrote, 
 informing the commissioners that the Governor was willing 
 to advance the money at earlier periods than agreed upon. 
 On April 12 the commissioners held their first regular meet- 
 ing at Georgetown. On April 15 the initial or corner-stone 
 of the lines of the Federal territory was formally planted in 
 the presence of the three commissioners, Andrew Ellicott, 
 the surveyor, and the Masons and many citizens of Alexan- 
 dria. James Muir, the pastor of that Episcopal parish, deliv- 
 ered a sermon. On June 29 a final settlement was effected, 
 by which the lands ceded to the Government were conveyed 
 in trust to Thomas Beall, of George, and John M. Gantt, of 
 Maryland, or their heirs, for the United States. The streets, 
 squares, parcels, and lots were to be laid out, and conveyed 
 by the trustees to the United States ; the residue of the land 
 was to be divided equally. For their share the United States 
 were to pay £25, or $66 66§ an a. The streets and squares 
 w T ent to the Government free. There were other stipulations 
 respecting sales of lands and payment of indebtedness to the 
 proprietors. They were also permitted to occupy the lands 
 till required for public use. Owing to a disagreement, the 
 streets and reservations were never conveyed to the commis- 
 sioners. The law officer of the Government and the Supreme 
 Court of the United States, however, have decided that the 
 United States have absolute control over them notwithstand- 
 ing. An act of Maryland, Dec. 19, 1791, ratified the cession 
 of its portion of the Federal territory, and designated certain 
 powers and duties of the commissioners, who were also au- 
 thorized to take possession, in the same proportion as agreed 
 with the others, of lots in Hamburg and Carrollsburg. The 
 inhabitants of Georgetown, who so requested, were to be in- 
 cluded, provided they conformed to the general terms of 
 the agreement, which they declined. 
 
 The laying out of the city according to the plans prepared 
 by L'Enfant, which were approved by Washington in Aug., 
 1791, was carried out under the direction of Andrew Ellicott, 
 a native of Bucks county, Penn., a gentleman of fine attain- 
 ments, and who had executed a number of important sur- 
 veys. He was born in 1754, and died at West Point in 1820. 
 
 The first step was the establishment of the "meridian 
 Line" through the site of the Capitol, and the E. and W. in- 
 tersecting line, which were to form the basis of the execution 
 of the entire plan. At a meeting of the commissioners on 
 Sept. 8, 1791, certain regulations w r ere prescribed in regard 
 
210 
 
 HISTORY OF WASHINGTON. 
 
 to the erection of private buildings, and the present names of 
 the city and District and designation of the streets were 
 adopted. The first public sale of lots, of which the Govern- 
 ment had 10,13G, took place at Georgetown on Oct. 17, 1791. 
 A large number of purchasers were present from all parts of 
 the country, and the prices paid ranged from $26 66 to $306 59, 
 During the summer and autumn of 1791 the commissioners 
 also made preparations for the commencement of work early 
 in the following spring. Contracts for building material and 
 food were awarded, and a freestone quarry on Higgington's 
 island, 40 m. below the city, was purchased. 
 
 The President's House was the first of the public buildings 
 commenced. An historical sketch of each of the public 
 buildings will be found, with their description, in the HAND- 
 BOOK. " 
 
 The building of the city, as might be expected, attracted a 
 number of that class of persons who, though poor in means, 
 were still rich in schemes. Among the earliest was one 
 Samuel Blodgett, w T ho appeared on the scene as an applicant for 
 permission to build an entire street, which was granted. After 
 considerable planning and negotiating, the enterprise was 
 abandoned, the commissioners having no funds to spare, and 
 Blodgett's being all in anticipation. Undaunted, however, 
 the same person undertook the erection of a great hotel, the 
 funds for which were to be raised by lottery, the hotel being 
 the first prize. The building was partly erected, and was 
 drawn by a person without means to complete it. It re- 
 mained unfinished till purchased, years after, by the Govern- 
 ment for the Post and Patent Offices. 
 
 In 1793, the commissioners entered into an agreement 
 with Robert Morris and James Greenleaf for the sale of 6,000 
 lots, at $80 a lot, payable in seven annual installments, with- 
 out interest, they obliging themselves to erect, in 1794, and 
 annually for six "years, twenty brick houses, two stories high. 
 The above two and John Nicholson bound themselves to ful- 
 fill the contract. The parties failed to comply with any por- 
 tion of the contract, which led to the serious embarrassment 
 of the commissioners. 
 
 One of the great obstacles in the way of the commission- 
 ers in the beginning was the scarcity of skilled workmen. 
 Agents were sent to the northern cities, and some importa- 
 tions were made from abroad. The slaves from the adjacent 
 plantations were almost exclusively employed as laborers. 
 
 In 1796, Congress authorized the commissioners, under 
 the direction of the President, to borrow $300,000, and, at 
 the same time, assumed a supervision of the affairs of the 
 city, requiring the commissioners to report their operations 
 
HISTORY OF WASHINGTON. 
 
 241 
 
 semi-annually to the Secretary of the Treasury. Meeting 
 with no success in negotiating their loan in Holland, whence 
 the first application of the commissioners was made, the As- 
 sembly of Maryland came to their rescue bv granting them 
 a loan of $100,000. 
 
 The election of John Adams at first excited some solicitude 
 on the part of the friends of the Federal city, in considera- 
 tion of the- opposition to the selection of the Potomac site 
 shown by the New England States in the discussion and vote 
 in Congress in 1790. The President, however, gave assur- 
 ance of a determination to cany out the views of his prede- 
 cessor. 
 
 In 1799, after a long discussion, Congress voted another 
 $100,000 to the commissioners, which amount was also ad- 
 vanced by the State of Maryland. The next year $50,000 
 was obtained from the same source, on the personal security 
 of the commissioners. 
 
 In Februaiy, 1800, they executed the papers necessary to 
 the security of all the loans or advances to the city, both 
 from the State of Maryland and the National Government, 
 amounting to $300,000, exclusive of the last loan of $50,000. 
 For that purpose they pledged all the property in the city 
 sold or contracted for before that time, and upon which pay- 
 ments had not been made. The land acquired or purchased 
 for the United States and yet unsold, exclusive of lots for- 
 feited for non-payment of purchase money and then liable to 
 be sold, amounted to 4,682 lots and 2,043 ft. frontage on 
 navigable water, valued at $884,750. The debt was $144,125, 
 and contracted for on the credit of the above funds of $360,- 
 881. The N. wing of the Capitol, the President's House, 
 and War and Treasury Offices, the first commenced in 1797, 
 were ready for occupation. A number of dwellings had 
 been erected by private parties in the vicinity of the Capitol, 
 President's House, and Greenleaf's Point. Penns3 r lvania 
 av., the thoroughfare from the Capitol to the President's 
 House, was ditched. Other avenues and streets connecting 
 the widely-scattered parts of the city were also opened. The 
 reservations around the Capitol and President's House were 
 planted. A turnpike was also opened to Baltimore. Suita- 
 ble provisions having been made by act of Congress dated 
 April 24, "V800, the archives of the Government were con- 
 veyed to Washington. The Executive and offices were 
 transferred at the same time. On November 21 Congress 
 commenced its sessions in the N". wing of the Capitol. Con- 
 gress assumed jurisdiction over the District of Columbia in 
 1801, and declared that the laws of Virginia and Maryland 
 ltf 
 
242 
 
 HTSTORY OF WASHINGTON. 
 
 should continue respectively in force in the portions of the 
 District ceded by those States. 
 
 In 1802 the Board of Commissioners was abolished and 
 succeeded by a superintendent, Thomas Munroe, who was re- 
 quired to settle up all accounts, and to sell a sufficient number 
 of the lots pledged for the repayment of the loan of $200,000 
 from the State of Maryland, so as to meet all obligations of 
 interest and installments. In event of an unwarrantable sac- 
 rifice of the property to meet these demands, the sale was to 
 cease, and the balance was to be paid out of the Treasury of 
 the United States. Lots not paid for were also to be sold to 
 meet the loan of $50,000 from the State of Maryland, or, if 
 not sufficient, the residue was to be paid out of the Treasury. 
 
 Mayors of Washington. — 1802, Robert Brent ; 1812, Daniel 
 Eapine ; 1813, James H. Blake ; 1817, Benjamin G. Orr ; 1819, 
 Samuel M. Smallwood; 1822, T. Carberry; 1824, Roger C. 
 Weightman; 1827, Joseph Gales, jr.; 1830, John P. Van 
 Kess; 1834, W. A. Bradley; 1836, Peter Force ; 1840, W. W. 
 Seaton ; 1850, Walter Lenox ; 1852, John W. Maury ; 1854, 
 John T. Towers; 1856, W. B. Magruder; 1858, J. G. Ber- 
 rett ; 1862, Richard Wallach ; 1868, S. J. Bo wen ; 1870, M. G. 
 Emery. 
 
 Governors of the District of Columbia. — 1871, Henry D. 
 Cooke ; 1873, A. R. Shepherd. 
 
 On May 3, 1802, the municipal government was created by 
 Congress, to consist of a mayor and council. Congress re- 
 served supreme jurisdiction. The affairs of the county, and 
 the construction of roads outside the city, were intrusted to 
 a board known as the levy court. On Feb. 21, 1871, the ter- 
 ritorial form of government was substituted. 
 
 The most important event in the history of the Capital 
 since its foundation was the occupation by the British. The 
 President (Madison) and the Cabinet, over-confident of the 
 safety of the Capital, or the indisposition of the British, who 
 controlled the Chesapeake, to attack, had neglected to make 
 suitable provisions for defense. As a consequence, about 
 3,500 raw militia, hastily concentrated and badly handled, 
 were suddenly called upon to confront the enemy, 4,000 
 strong, at Bladensburg, 5 m. from the Capital, on August 
 24, 1814. Commodore Barney, with a few hundred sailors 
 and marines, and BealPs Maryland militia, made a stubborn 
 resistance on the turnpike, but, unsupported by the rest of 
 the troops, who had fled almost without a fight, fell back to 
 the Capital, proposing to defend that point. From here he 
 was ordered to retire and take position behind Georgetown, 
 leaving the city entirely defenseless. The American troops 
 
HISTORY OF WASHINGTON. 
 
 243 
 
 retreated towards Montgomery Court House, having beer 
 preceded by the President and Cabinet and other prominent 
 officers of the Government. The total force of Americans 
 available was 7,000 men, but through mismanagement, the 
 incapacity of Gen. Winder, the commander, and the inter- 
 ference of the President and Cabinet, especially the Secretary 
 of War, not more than half that number reached the field, 
 and even then were outnumbered five to one on the points of 
 attack. The whole British force which landed on the Pau- 
 tuxent numbered 5,123 men, of which 4,500 men took part 
 in the fight . The American loss was 26 killed and 51 wounded, 
 and the British 150 killed and 300 wounded. 
 
 At 8 p. m. on the day of the battle the enemy bivouacked 
 on Capitol Hill. The Capitol, Library of Congress, Presi- 
 dent's House, Arsenal, Treasury and War offices, Long 
 Bridge, and office of the National Intelligencer newspaper, 
 were burned the same night, also some private buildings. 
 The Navy Yard and frigate Columbia, on the stocks, and 
 Argus, five barges, and two gunboats were destroyed by 
 order of the Secretary of the Navy. The explosion of pow- 
 der in a well at the arsenal killed 15 and wounded 30 of the 
 British. 
 
 On the evening of August 25 the British evacuated the 
 Capital. To use the words of one of the British officers, the 
 retreat "was as cautious and stealthy and precipitate as was 
 natural for a retreating army under such circumstances." 
 On the retreat many died of fatigue or were taken prisoners 
 by the cavalry harassing the rear. Nearly 200 of the dead 
 left by the enemy were buried by the citizens. It was esti- 
 mated that his aggregate loss was not less than 1,000 men. 
 
 The enemy reached Benedict on the evening of August 29, 
 and re-embarked the next day. 
 
 The sight of the Capital in flames had aroused the inhab- 
 itants of the surrounding country, who were being rallied by 
 the Secretary of State, Mr. Monroe. It was resolved to cut 
 off the enemy's retreat to his ships. His haste, however, 
 frustrated these patriotic proceedings. 
 
 When the question of the restoration of the public build- 
 ings was under discussion, a long and bitter debate ensued, 
 evincing not only a strong disposition to abandon the city, 
 but a dangerous sectional feeling. For a time the most seri- 
 ous consequences were threatened. Calmer counsels, how- 
 ever, prevailed, and an appropriation of $500,000 was made 
 for the repair or re-erection of the buildings on their old 
 sites. The estimated loss was $1,000,000. 
 
 In 1846 that portion of the District lying on the west bank 
 of the Potomac was retroceded to Virginia. In 1850 the sale 
 
244 
 
 HISTORY OF WASHINGTON. 
 
 of slaves was prohibited, and on April 16, 1862, slavery was 
 abolished in the District. 
 
 Daring the rebellion, 1861-65, the Capital had every ap- 
 pearance of a vast fortress. It was the base of operations of 
 mighty armies, called out for the defense of the Constitution 
 and the Union. On the surrounding hills were military 
 camps ; in the city were hospitals and stores ; and the ave- 
 nues and streets were the daily scene of moving troops and 
 trains. 
 
 The infusion of a new element into the population of the 
 Capital was one of the important results of the rebellion of 
 1861-'65. It was not, however, till a decade later that a sys- 
 tem of improvements on a grand scale were commenced. In 
 that time the number of the inhabitants increased nearly 
 fifty thousand. Congress, in the meantime, had dispossessed 
 itself of the idea that a National Capital was a political conve- 
 nience, instead of necessity. The ideas of Washington, Jeffer- 
 son, and L'Enfant, after a sleep of more than three quarters 
 of a century, are being realized. The grand avenues, broad 
 streets, and beautiful parks are in keeping with the magni- 
 ficence of the Capitol and the imposing proportions of the 
 structures occupied by the various Executive Departments 
 of the Government. Elegant residences, fine churches, 
 commodious school-houses, and many public and private 
 institutions have been erected. It must be admitted that the 
 Capital is no longer a reflection upon the taste, culture, and 
 liberality of the nation, and the least inviting of American 
 cities. At the same rate of improvement, in ten years the 
 Capital of the United States will be one of the most beauti- 
 ful in the world. These gratifying results are unquestion- 
 ably due to the interest and zeal of President Grant, and to 
 the energy and courage of Governor Shepherd. 
 
INDEX. 
 
 Adams, John, painting of, 123. 
 
 Admiral's Office, 143. 
 
 Agriculture, Department of, 156; 
 Grounds, 150 ; Plant Houses, 156 ; 
 Building, 157; Museum, 159; 
 History of. 161. 
 
 District of Columbia, 11. 
 
 Committe on, 114. 
 
 Museum of, 159. 
 
 Alexandria, 228; History of, 229 ; 
 Washington's Headqu'rs, 229; 
 Christ Church, 229; National 
 Cemetery, 229. 
 
 Canal, 214, 229. 
 
 Allegory, Brumidi's, 76. 
 
 Altitude, mean, Washington, 15. 
 
 Amusements, general, xiv. 
 
 Anacostia river, 15, 49. 
 
 Channel, 49. 
 
 Analostan Island, 214. 
 
 Antiquities, European, 191. 
 
 Aqueduct, 217; Distances, 217; Dis- 
 tributing Reservoir, 217 ; Re- 
 ceiving. 217; Cabin John Bridge, 
 21S; Falls of the Potomac, 218. 
 
 Georgetown, 214. 
 
 Bridge, 53, 214. 
 
 Architects of the Capitol, 114. 
 
 Area of Washington, 3. 
 
 Arlington House, 215; National Cem- 
 etery, 215; Custis's Spring, 216. 
 
 Armory. 196. 
 
 Square, 38. 
 
 Army, Headquarters of, 136. 
 
 Army Medical Museum, 167. 
 
 Arsenal, 172. 
 
 Art, Corcoran Gallery of, 191. 
 
 Associate Justices, list of, 89. 
 
 Asylums— Naval Hospital, 202; Sol- 
 diers' and Sailors' Orphans' 
 Home, 202; Columbia Hospital 
 for Women, and Lying-in, 202; 
 Washington, 202; Louise Home, 
 203; Providence, General, 203; 
 Washington City Orphan, 203; 
 Children's Hospital, 204; St. 
 John's Hospital, 204: St. Ann's 
 Infant, 204; St. Joseph's Male 
 Orphan, 204; St. Vincent's Fe- 
 
 (245) 
 
 Asylums — 
 
 male Orphan, 204; Epiphany- 
 Church Home, 204; Home for 
 the aged, 205; Deaf and Dumb, 
 225; Insane, 227. 
 Attorneys General, list of, 155. 
 Avenues, 24. 
 
 Description of, 26. 
 
 Improvement of, 25. 
 
 Bache, A. D., grave of, 206. 
 Baltimore and Potomac Bridge, 53. 
 Baptism of Pocahontas, painting, 74. 
 Basement, House of Reps., 113. 
 
 N. wing, 104. 
 
 Senate, 101. 
 
 S. wing, 105. 
 
 Battery and electric gas-lighting 
 
 apparatus, 77 
 Battle Record room, 170. 
 Benning's Bridge, 53. 
 Benton, bust of, 97. 
 Birds, 39. 
 
 Bladensburg, 224; battle-field of, 
 224; duelling ground at, 224; 
 Calvert mansion, 224. 
 
 Battle of, 241. 
 
 Board of Public Works, 9, 207. 
 Boarding, viii. 
 
 Boone in conflict with the Indians, 
 
 relievo, 70. 
 Booth, assassin, 173. 
 Botanical Garden, site, 41 ; Grounds, 
 41; Conservatories, 42; Botani- 
 cal class room, 42; Joint Com- 
 mittee on the Library, 42; Botan- 
 ical collection, 42; Centre Build- 
 ing or Rotunda, 43; East range 
 and wing, 43; West range and 
 wing, 44"; Superintendents, 45 j 
 History, 45. 
 Botany, District of Columbia, 12. 
 Boundaries, District of Columbia, G. 
 
 Washington, 4. 
 
 Boundary street, 30, 31. 
 Bridges, 52; Long Bridge, 52; Navy 
 Yard, 53; Benning's, 53; Balti- 
 more and Potomac Railroad, 53; 
 Aqueduct, 53; Chain, 53; Penn- 
 sylvania av., (Rock creek,) 53 r 
 
246 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 Bridges— 
 
 214; M-st., 53; P-st., 53; James 
 creek canal, 53; Culverts, 53; 
 Uniontown,53; Cabin John, 218; 
 Mountain Spring, 218. 
 
 Bronze door, main, 67. 
 
 Senate, 90. 
 
 Staircases, 94, 109. 
 
 Brown, General, grave of, 206. 
 
 Cabin John Bridge, 218. 
 
 Cabot, relievo of, 70. 
 
 Canals, 50; Washington, 50; James 
 creek, 50; Chesapeake and Ohio, 
 213 ; Alexandria, 214, 229. 
 
 Cannon captured, 172, 174. 
 
 Capital, a virgin, 1. 
 
 Capitol, 56; Situation, 56; Street 
 cars to, 57; Site of, 57; Ap- 
 proaches, 57 ; Grounds, 58 ; Gen- 
 eral exterior view of, 58 ; First 
 terrace, 61 ; Fountain, 61 ; Sec- 
 ond terrace, 61 ; General exte- 
 rior description, 62; Dome, 63; 
 Statue of Freedom, 64 ; Porticos, 
 65 ; Statuary, 65, 66 ; Main Bronze 
 door, 67 ; Rotunda, 69 ; Relievos, 
 70; Historical paintings, 70; 
 Canopy of Rotunda, 76; Ascent 
 of the Dome, 77; Battery and 
 electric gas-lighting apparatus, 
 77; Panoramic view of Wash- 
 ington, 77; Library of the United 
 States, 79; North wing, 87; N. 
 or Senate Extension, 90; Stair- 
 cases, 92, 94, 96; Galleries, 97; 
 Senate Chamber, 99; Basement, 
 100; Committee rooms, 101; 
 Heating and ventilating, 103, 
 114; N. wing basement, 104; 
 Law Library, 104; Crypt, 104; 
 Undercroft, 104; National Stat- 
 uary Hall, 105; S. or House Ex- 
 tension, 108; Staircases, 109; 
 Second floor, 112; Galleries, 112; 
 House of Representatives, 112; 
 Basement, 113; Com'tee rooms, 
 114; Capitol police, 114; Archi- 
 tects, 114; History, 114. 
 
 Hill, 15,57. 
 
 History of, 114. 
 
 Selection of site of, 17. 
 
 Street, E., N., S., 31. 
 
 Cemeteries, Eastern and Western, 
 (Holmead,) 205; Congressional, 
 205; Arlington, (Military,) 216; 
 Rock Creek, 223; Military, (Sol- 
 diers' Home,) 223; Glenwood, 
 224; Prospect Hill, 224; St. Ma- 
 ry's, 224; Mt. Olivet, 226: Grace- 
 land, 227; National, (Alexan- 
 dria,) 229. 
 
 Ceremonies, xiv. 
 
 Chain Bridge, 53. 
 
 Chapultepec, storming of, painting, 
 
 96. 
 
 Chase, grave of, 212. 
 
 Chesapeake and Ohio Canal, 213. 
 
 Chief Justices, busts of, 87. 
 
 list of, 89. 
 
 Childrens' Hospital, 204. 
 
 Chronicle, The, 200. 
 
 Church, Christ, Alexandria, 229. 
 
 Rock Creek, 223. 
 
 Churches, list of, xiii. 
 
 Washington, 197. 
 
 Circles, Washington, 39 ; 14th street, 
 39; 13th street, 39; P street, 39. 
 
 City Hall, 171. 
 
 City Spring, 198. 
 
 Claims, U. S. court of, 89. 
 
 Clinton, George, statue of, 107. 
 
 grave of, 205. 
 
 Climate, District of Columbia, 13. 
 
 College, Deaf Mute, 225. 
 
 Georgetown, 213. 
 
 Columbia Hospital for Women, 202. 
 
 Institute, for the deaf and 
 
 dumb, 225. 
 
 Columbian University, 220. 
 
 Columbus, relievo of, 70. 
 
 Commissioners of Washington, 235. 
 
 Committee Rooms — Senate — 101; 
 Military Affairs, 102; Naval Af- 
 fairs, 102; Indian, 102; Foreign 
 Relations, 102; Judiciary, 102; 
 Library, 102. 
 
 House, 114; Agriculture, 114. 
 
 Commerce, 50. 
 
 Congress, 120. 
 
 Continental, Presidents of, 119, 
 
 Continental, Sessions of, 119. 
 
 History of, 118. 
 
 Congressional Library, (see Library 
 
 of the U. S.,)79. 
 Connecticut av., 25-27. 
 Conservatories, President's, 123. 
 Constitution of the U. S., original, 
 
 128. 
 
 Ratification of, 119. 
 
 Convent of the Visitation, 212. 
 Copyrights, 86. 
 
 Corcoran Gallery of Art, 189; Stat- 
 uary, 191; Bronzes, 191; Anti- 
 quities, 191; Paintings, 191. 
 
 Corcoran, W. W., 192. 
 
 Crawford, sculptor, bust of, 107. 
 
 Crypt, the, 104. 
 
 Culverts, 53. 
 
 Deaf and Dumb Asylum, 225. 
 Deaf Mute College, 225. 
 Declaration of Independence, 148. 
 
 Signing of, painting, 71. 
 
 Defenses of Washington, 232. 
 Delaware av., 24, 28. 
 Department of State, 128 ; Treasury, 
 131; War, 136; Navy, 140; Inte- 
 
INDEX. 
 
 247 
 
 Department of State — 
 
 rior, 142; Post Office, 151; Jus- 
 tice, 154; Agriculture, 156. 
 
 Discovery of America, statue. 68. 
 
 Discovery of the Mississippi River, 
 painting, 75. 
 
 Distances to Great Falls Potomac, 
 217. 
 
 Tables of, xix, 3. 
 
 )istrictof Columbia— Geographical 
 situation, 5; Boundaries, 6,237; 
 Political Divisions, 7; Govern- 
 ment, 7; Finances, 9; Popula- 
 tion, 9; Statistics, miscellane- 
 ous, 10; Vital Statistics, 10; In- 
 dustry and Wealth, 10; Agri- 
 culture, 11; Topography, 11; 
 Geology, 11; Botany, 12; Zoolo- 
 gy, 12; Ornithology, 12; Ichthy- 
 ology, 13; Herpetology, 13; 
 Climate, 13. 
 
 — Government, 207; Governor's 
 Office, 207; Hall of the Legisla- 
 tive Assembly, 207 ; Board of 
 Public Works, 207; Fire De- 
 partment, 207; Metropolitan 
 Police, 208; Jail, 208. 
 
 Document Libraries, 97, 112. 
 
 Dome, Capitol, 63; Ascent of, 77. 
 
 Door, Main, House extension. 109. 
 
 Dow. Lorenzo, grave of, 205. 
 
 Downing, A. J., 39. 
 
 Vase, 178. 
 
 Drive, the. 29. 
 
 Duddington Mansion, 210. 
 
 Duelling Ground, 224. 
 
 Easby's Point, 49. 
 
 Education, Bureau of, 142. 
 
 Electric gas-light apparatus, 77. 
 
 Elevations, Washington, 16. 
 
 Elevator, 95. 
 
 Ellicott, Andrew, runs bounds, 6. 
 
 marks the site of Capitol, 17. 
 
 Embarkation of the Pilgrims, paint- 
 ing, 75. 
 
 Embellishments proposed, 17. 
 
 Engineer's Office, 41. 
 
 Environs of Washington — George- 
 town, 211; Analostan Island, 
 214; Arlington House and Na- 
 tional Cemetery, 215; Fort 
 Whipple, 216; Aqueduct and 
 Falls of the Potomac, 217; Kal- 
 orama, 220; Meridian Hill, 220; 
 Columbian LTniversity,220; Way- 
 land Seminary, 220; Howard 
 University, 221; Soldiers' Home, 
 221; Grave of L'Enfant, 222; 
 Rock Creek Church and Ceme- 
 tery, 223; National Cemetery, 
 223; Glen wood Cemetery, 224; 
 Bladensburg, 224; Columbia In- 
 stitute for the Deaf and Dumb, 
 
 Environs of Washington— 
 
 and Deaf Mute College, 225 ; Mt. 
 Olivet Cemetery, 226; Grace- 
 land Cemetery, 227; Reform 
 School, 227; Zoological Society, 
 227; Government Hospital for 
 the Insane, 227; Alexandria, 
 228; Mount Vernon, 230; De- 
 fenses of Washington, 232. 
 
 Epiphany Church Home, 204. 
 
 Etiquette, xiv. 
 
 Executive av., 28. 
 
 Buildings, 56. 
 
 Mansion (See Presidt's House,) 
 
 121. 
 
 Offices, 124. 
 
 the, 127. 
 
 Extension of city, 52. 
 
 House, Capitol, 108. 
 
 Senate, — - 109. 
 
 Farragut Square, 36. 
 
 statute of, proposed, 46. 
 
 Fillmore, portrait of, 123. 
 
 Finances, District of Columbia, 9. 
 
 Washington, 4. 
 
 Fire Department, 207. 
 
 Flags, captured, 137. 
 
 Folding Room, Senate, 101. 
 
 Foote, Fort, 230. 
 
 Foreign Capitals, 5. 
 
 Formalities, xiv. 
 
 Fountains, 48. 
 
 Franklin School, 201. 
 
 Square, 37. 
 
 statue of, 92. 
 
 Freedom, statue of, 64. 
 
 Frescos — Rotunda, Canopy, 76; Sen- 
 ate Reception Room, 93; Senate 
 Post Office, 93; Presid'ts Room, 
 95; Senate Basement, 101; Ful- 
 ton, 101; Committee Rooms, 
 Senate, 101 ; Military Affairs, 102; 
 Naval Affairs, 102; Indian, 102; 
 Foreign Relations, 102; Judici- 
 ary, 102 ; Library, 102 ; Western 
 Staircase, House, 109; Hall of 
 House, 113; Agricultural Com- 
 mittee Room, 114. 
 
 Galleries, Senate, 97. 
 
 House, 112. 
 
 Gas, lighting the city, 45. 
 
 General information, vii. 
 
 Genius of America, statuary, 65. 
 
 Geographical location, Wash'n, 2, 
 
 situation, Dist. Columbia, 5. 
 
 Geology, 11. 
 
 Georgetown, 211; Oak Hill Ceme- 
 tery, 211; High-service Reser- 
 voir, 212 ; Convent of the Visita- 
 tion, and Academy, 212; College, 
 213; Chesapeake and Ohio Ca- 
 nal, 213; Aqued't,214; Wharves, 
 214; Commerce, 214; Shad and 
 
248 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 Georgetown- 
 Herring, 214; Rock C'k Bridge, 
 214. 
 
 Georgia av., 28. 
 
 Gerry, Elbridge, grave of, 205. 
 
 Giesboro', 230. 
 
 Glenwood Cemetery, 224. 
 
 Government Dist. Columbia, 7, 207. 
 
 Washington, 4. 
 
 Seat of established, 120, 235, 236, 
 
 237. 
 
 spring, 221. 
 
 Government Printing Office, 168; 
 Public Printers, 169; History, 
 169. 
 
 Governor's Office, 207. 
 
 Governors list of, 241. 
 
 Graceland Cemetery, 227. 
 
 Green, General, statue of, 107. 
 
 Halls— Masonic Temple, 198; Odd 
 Fellows\198; Lincoln, 199; Wil- 
 lards', 199. 
 
 Hamilton, statue of, 107. 
 
 Hancock, John, statue of, 96. 
 
 Harbor, improvement of, 51. 
 
 Potomac river, 48 ; Harbor, 49 ; 
 
 Potomac channel, 49; Anacostia 
 channel, 49; of Georgetown, 49; 
 Main channel, 49. 
 
 Heating and Ventilating Senate, 
 103; House, 114; 
 
 Herpetology, 13. 
 
 Historic Relics, 148, 187. 
 
 Historical Paintings — Rotunda, 70; 
 Declaration of Independence, 
 71 ; Surrender of Burgoyne, 71 ; 
 Surrender of Cornwallis, 72; 
 Resignation of General Wash- 
 ington, 73; Baptism of Poca- 
 hontas, 74; Discovery of the 
 Mississippi River, 75; Landing 
 of Columbus, 75; Embarkation 
 of the Pilgrims, 75. 
 
 Historical Retrospect, 55. 
 
 Holmead Cemetery, 205. 
 
 Home for the Aged, 205. 
 
 Home, Soldiers', 221. 
 
 Hospitals, (see Asylums,) 202; 
 
 Hotels, vii. 
 
 House of Representatives, 120; Hall 
 of, 112; Speakers of, 121. 
 
 Howard University, 221. 
 
 Hunter, John, portrait, 167. 
 
 Hydrographic Office, 140. 
 
 Ichthyology, 13. 
 
 II Penseroso, statue, 107. 
 
 Indian Office, 142. 
 
 Warrior, bronze, 109. 
 
 Indiana av., 28. 
 
 Initial stone of D. C, 229, 230. 
 
 Insane Asylum, 227. 
 
 Interior Department, 142; Bureaus, 
 142; Secretary's Office, 142; In- 
 
 Interior Department— 
 
 dian Office, 142; Bureau of Ed- 
 ucation, 142 , Survey of the Ter- 
 ritories, 144; Secretaries, 144; 
 The Department, 145. (See Pat- 
 ent Office.) 
 
 Secretaries, list of, 144. 
 
 Jackson, statue of, 34. 
 
 Jail, 200. 
 
 Jefferson School, 201. 
 
 statues of. 109, 122. 
 
 Jones' Point, 230. 
 Judiciary, The, 89. 
 Square, 37. 
 
 Justice, Department of, 154; Attor- 
 ney General's Office, 154; Por- 
 traits, 155; Attorneys General, 
 155; The Department, 155; Bu- 
 reaus, 155. 
 
 Justice and History, statuary, 91. 
 
 K street, 31. 
 
 Kalorama, 220. 
 
 Kearney, General, statue of, 107. 
 
 Kentucky av.,25,28. 
 
 Kosciusko, bust of, 107. 
 
 La Salle, relievo, 70. 
 
 Ladies' Retiring Room, Senate, 99; 
 
 House, 112. 
 Lafayette Square, 34. 
 
 portrait of, 113. 
 
 Landing of Columbus, painting, 75. 
 Landing of the Pilgrims, relievo, 70. 
 Latitude, 2. 
 
 Law Library, 86 ; Description of, 104. 
 
 Legislative Hall, 207. 
 
 L'Enfant, Plan of Washington, 16; 
 origin of plan, 19. 
 
 grave of, 222. 
 
 Librarians of the United States, 83. 
 
 Libraries, United States, 79; Con- 
 gressional, (see United States,) 
 79; Smithsonian, 81 ; Force, 81 ; 
 Jefferson, 84; Document, H. R., 
 112; Odd Fellows', 199; Young 
 Men's Christian Associat'n, 199 ; 
 Georgetown College, 213. 
 
 Library of the United States, 79; 
 Library Halls, 79 ; proposed new 
 building, 79; Volumes, 80; Com- 
 parison of libraries, foreign and 
 home, 80; Collection of books, 
 80; Smithsonian Library, 81; 
 Force Library, 81; Rules of, 82; 
 Document Libraries, 82; View, 
 83; Librarians, 83; History, 83; 
 Jefferson Library, 84; Copy- 
 rights, 86; Law Library, 86. 
 
 Lincoln, painting of, 124. 
 
 Assassination of, 166. 
 
 Bust of, 107. 
 
 Square, 38. 
 
 Statue of, 107. 
 
 proposed, 38. 
 
INDEX 
 
 249 
 
 Lincoln Hall, 199; Free Reading 
 
 Room, 199; Library, 199. 
 Livingston, Statue of, 107. 
 Lobbies, Senate, 94; House, 109. 
 Lodgings, vii. 
 Long Bridge, 52. 
 Longitude, 2. 
 Louise Home, 203. 
 Louisiana av., 28. 
 
 Lovel, Surg. General, portrait, 167. 
 M-street Bridge, 53. 
 Mace. 109, 113. 
 
 Macomb, General, grave of, 206. 
 
 Mails, the, xii. 
 
 Maine av., 28. 
 
 Mall, the, 19. 
 
 Magazines, 177. 
 
 Marble room, 94. 
 
 Marine barracks, 176. 
 
 Markets, 209; Centre, 209; Eastern, 
 
 209; Western, 209; Northern, 
 
 209. 
 
 Maryland av., 25, 27. 
 Masonic Temple, 198. 
 Mason's Island, 214. 
 Massachusetts av., 25, 27. 
 Mayors of Washington, 241. 
 Meridian, first U. S., 166. 
 
 Hill, 220. 
 
 Missouri av., 28. 
 
 Monument, Washington Nat'l, 192. 
 Morton, Dr., painting, 167. 
 Mount Olivet Cemetery, 226. 
 Mount Vernon, 230; the Vault, 230; 
 
 the Mansion, 230; Ladies' As- 
 
 ciation, 231. 
 Place, 37. 
 
 Mountain Spring Bridge, 218. 
 
 Museum, Agricultural, 159; Army 
 Medical, 167; Ordnance, 170; 
 .Naval, 174; National, 181; Cor- 
 coran Gallery of Art, 191. 
 
 Nautical Almanac, 111. 
 
 Naval Hospital, 202. 
 
 Observatory, 163; Site, 163; De- 
 scription, 163; Instruments, 164; 
 Superintendents, 164; Historv, 
 105. 
 
 Navy Department, 149; Secretary's 
 office, 140; Admiral's office, 140; 
 Hydrographic office, 140; Nau- 
 tical Almanac. 141; Secretaries, 
 141 ; the Department, 141. 
 
 Secretaries, list of, 141. 
 
 Yard. 174; captured cannon. 
 
 174; Buildings, 174; Museum, 
 .174; History, 175. 
 
 Bridge, 53. 
 
 Neale, Archbishop, grave of, 212. 
 
 New Hampshire av., 28. 
 
 New Jersey av., 25, 28. 
 
 New York av., 25, 27. 
 
 Newspaper offices, 199; National 
 
 Newspaper offices — 
 
 Republican, 200; Chronicle, 200 ; 
 
 Evening Star, 200. 
 North Carolina av., 25, 28. 
 Oak Hill Cemetery, 211. 
 Observatorv, Naval, 163. 
 Octagon, The, 126, 140. 
 Odd-Fe ! 1 ows' Hall, 198 ; Library, 199. 
 Official Reporters' room, Senate, 
 
 92; House, 109. 
 Ohio av., 23. 
 
 Ordnance office, 170; Museum, 170. 
 
 Ornamental gardening, 39. 
 
 Ornithology, 12. 
 
 P-street Bridge, 53. 
 
 Paintings, Historical, Rotunda, 70; 
 Perry's Victory on L. Erie, 92; 
 Peale's Washington, 94 ; Storm- 
 ing of Chepultepcc, 9(i ; Grand 
 Canon of the Yellowstone, 107; 
 Gen. Scott, 109; Westward Ho, 
 109; John Adams, 123; Van Bu- 
 ren, 123; Tyler, 123; Polk, 123; 
 Fillmore, 123; Pierce, 123; 
 Washington. 124; Lincoln, 124; 
 Portraits of Secretaries of War, 
 136 ; Portraits of Attorneys Gen- 
 eral, 155; Lovel, 167; Hunter, 
 167; Morton, 167; Physic, 167; 
 Corcoran Gallery, 191; Wash- 
 ington before Yorktown, 231. 
 
 Parking, 32. 
 
 Parks, (see Reservations and Sq'rs.) 
 
 Patent Office, 145; Description of, 
 146; Model Rooms, 147; His- 
 toric Relics, 148; Models, 149; 
 History, 150. 
 
 Peace, statue, 66. 
 
 Penitentiary, 173. 
 
 Pennsylvania av., 25, 26. 
 
 Penn, W., conference with Indians, 
 relievo, 70. 
 
 Perry's Victory on Lake Erie, paint- 
 ing, 92. 
 
 Physic, Dr., portrait, 167. 
 
 Pierce, portrait, 123. 
 
 Places of Historical Interest, 210. 
 
 Plan of Washington, 16 ; Origin of, 
 19 ; Execution of, 17. 
 
 Plant Houses, 157. 
 
 Pneumatic Tube, 103. 
 
 Pocahontas saving life of Smith, re- 
 lievo, 70. 
 
 Police, Metropolitan, 208; Capitol, 
 114. 
 
 Political Divisions D. C, 7. 
 Polk, portrait, 123. 
 Population, District, 9. 
 
 Washington, 4. 
 
 Postage, rates of, xiii. 
 Postmasters General, list of, 154. 
 Post Office, City, xii, 153. 
 Senate, 93. 
 
250 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 Post Office, General, 151; Descrip- 
 tion, 151; Postmaster General's 
 Office, 153 ; City Post Office, 153 ; 
 History of building, 153; Post- 
 masters General, 154; The De- 
 partment^ 154. 
 
 Potomac, Falls of, 217, 218. 
 
 the drive to, 217. 
 
 River, 48. 
 
 Presidents, list of, 127. 
 
 President's House, 121; Grounds, 
 122; Conservatories, 123; Sla- 
 bles, 123; Description, Exterior, 
 123; Interior, 123; History, 125; 
 Presidents, 127; The Execu- 
 tive, 127. 
 
 President's Room, Capitol, 95. 
 
 Progress of Civilization, statuary, 66. 
 
 Propogating Garden, 41. 
 
 Prospect Hill Cemetery, 224. 
 
 Providence General Hospital, 203. 
 
 Public Printers, list of, 109. 
 
 Quarters, 30, 32. 
 
 Railroads, viii, 54. 
 
 Raleigh, relievo, 70. 
 
 Rates of Postage, xiii. 
 
 Rawlins Square, 37. 
 
 statue of, proposed, 46. 
 
 Reading Room, Free, 199. 
 
 Reception Room, Senate, 93. 
 
 Refectory, Senate, 92; House, 113. 
 
 Reform School, 227. 
 
 Relievos— Fame and Peace, 66; Co- 
 lumbus, Cabot, Raleigh, and La 
 Salle, 70; Landing of the Pil- 
 grims, 70: Pocahontas saving 
 the life of Captain Smith, 70; 
 William Penn in conference 
 with the Indians, 70; Daniel 
 Boone in conflict with the In- 
 dians, 70 ; Allegories, in oil, 93 ; 
 Fidelity. Steam, and Electri- 
 city, 153. 
 
 Reporters' Gallery, Senate, 99; 
 
 House, 112. 
 Reporters' Rooms. Senate, 97; 
 
 House, 112. 
 Representation in Congress, 120. 
 Representatives, Hall of, 112; Old 
 
 Hall, 105. 
 
 Speakers of House of, 121. 
 
 Republican, The, 200. 
 Reservations, 21. 
 Reservoir— see Aqueduct; 217. 
 
 High Service, 212. 
 
 Resignation of Washington, paint- 
 
 i"gw3. 
 Restaurants, vm. 
 Retrospect, 20. 
 Revolution, allegory, 76. 
 Rhode Island av., 28. 
 Rock Creek, 15. 
 — Bridge, 53, 214. 
 
 Rock Creek Church and Cemetery, 
 
 223. 
 
 Rotunda, 69; Statuary, 70; Relievos, 
 70; Historical paintings, 70-75; 
 Canopy, 76; Allegory, 76; As- 
 cent of the Dome, 77. 
 
 School, Reform, 227. 
 
 Franklin, 201 ; Seaton, 201 ; Wal- 
 
 lach,201; Jefferson, 201. 
 
 Colored, 201; Sumner, 201. 
 
 History of, 201. 
 
 Scott Square, 35. 
 
 Winfield, painting, 109. 
 
 Statue of, 36. 
 
 Seaton School, 201. 
 
 Seminary, Wayland, 220. 
 
 Senate, 120. 
 
 Chamber, 99. 
 
 Presidents of, 120. 
 
 Sergeant-at-Arms, Senate, Room of, 
 93 ; House, 109. 
 
 Settlement of America, statue of, 66. 
 
 Sewers, 32 ; Georgetown, 32 ; Slash 
 Run, 32-34; Intermediate sec- 
 tion, 33; B st. intercepting, 33; 
 Tiber basin, 33. 
 
 Sherman, Roger, statue of, 107. 
 
 Signal Office, 137; Instrument 
 room, 137. 
 
 Sixteenth st., 31. 
 
 Scott Statue, 36. 
 
 Smithsonian Inst'n, 178; Grounds, 
 178; Downing Vase, 178; De- 
 scription of building, 179; Ob- 
 jects, 180; National Museum, 181; 
 Main Hall, 182 ; Gothic Hall, 183 ; 
 West Hal 1, 184 ; South Vestibule, 
 185: Ethnological Hall, 186; Sec- 
 retaries, 187; History, 187. 
 
 Soil, 16. 
 
 Soldiers' Home, 221. 
 
 Soldiers' and Sailors' Orphan Home, 
 
 202. 
 
 South Carolina av., 28. 
 Speakers House Representatives, 
 120- 
 
 Gallery of, 109. 
 
 Room, 109. 
 
 Squares— Lafayette, 34; Scott, 35; 
 Farragut, 36; Sixteenth street, 
 (Scott Statue,) 30; Franklin, 37; 
 Judiciary, 37; Rawlins, 37; Mt. 
 Vernon Place. 37 ; Circus lot, 38 ; 
 Armory, 38; Lincoln, 38; Stan- 
 ton Place, 38. 
 
 St. Ann's Infant Asvlum,204. 
 
 St. John's Hospital, 204. 
 
 St. Joseph's Male Orphan Asylum, 
 204. 
 
 St. Vincent's Female Orphan Asy< 
 
 lum,204. 
 Stables, President's, 123. 
 Staircases, Senate, E., 92; W., 90; 
 
INDEX. 
 
 251 
 
 Staircases- 
 private, 94 ; House, E., 109 ; W., 
 109 ; private, 109. 
 
 Stanton, grave of, 212. 
 
 Stanton Place, 38. 
 
 Star, The Evening, 200. 
 
 State, Department of, 128 ; Archives, 
 128; State, War, and Navy De- 
 partment, 128; Secretaries, 129; 
 History, 130; Bureaus, 130. 
 
 Secretaries of, 129. 
 
 State, War, and Navy Department, 
 129. 
 
 Statistics, District, 10; Vital, 10; In- 
 dustry and Wealth, 10. 
 
 — Washington, 5. 
 
 Statuary— Genius of America, 65; 
 Discovery of America, 66 ; First 
 Settlem't of America, 66; Peace, 
 66 ; War, 66; Progress of Civili- 
 zation in the United States, 66; 
 Chief Justices, 87; Justice and 
 History, 91; Franklin, 92; Han- 
 cock, 96; Benton, 97; Gen. Green, 
 107 ; Roger Williams, 107 ; Jona- 
 than Trumbull, 107; Roger Sher- 
 man, 107 ; George Clinton, 107; 
 Edward Livingston, 107; Rich- 
 ard Stockton, 107 ; General Kear- 
 ney, 107; General Washington, 
 107; Abraham Lincoln, 107; Kos- 
 ciusko, 107; Crawford, the Sculp- 
 tor, 107; Alexander Hamilton, 
 107; Abraham Lincoln, 107; II 
 Penseroso, 107; Jefferson, 109; 
 Corcoran Gallery, 191. 
 
 Statuary Hall, 105. 
 
 Statues, 46; Greenough's Washing- 
 ington, 59 ; Jefferson, 122; Jack- 
 son, 34 ; Mills's Washington, 39 ; 
 Scott, 36; Lincoln, proposed, 
 38; Farragut, proposed, 36; Raw- 
 lins, proposed, 37; Lincoln, 172. 
 
 Steamers, ix. 
 
 Stockton, statue of, 107. 
 
 Street Cars, ix. 
 
 Street Railways, 54. 
 
 Streets, 30. 
 
 renomenclature, 31. 
 
 Sub-basement, Senate, 103; House, 
 114. 
 
 Sumner School, 201. 
 Superintendents Naval Observato- 
 ry, 164. 
 
 Supreme Court of the United States, 
 87; Chamber, 87; Busts of Chief 
 Justices, 87 ; Sessions of, 88; the 
 Chamber when occupied by the 
 Senate, 88; Chief Justices, 89; 
 Associates, 89; The Judiciary, 
 89. 
 
 Surratt, Mrs., grave of, 226. 
 Surrender of Burgoyne, paint'g, 71. 
 
 Surrender of Cornwallis, painting, 
 72. 
 
 Telegraph, 54. 
 Offices, xiii. 
 
 Official, Senate, 103; House, 109. 
 
 Press, Senate, 99; House, 112. 
 
 Tennessee av., 25, 28. 
 Territorial buildings, 207. 
 Territories, Survey of the, 144. 
 Theatres, xiv. 
 Tiber, 16. 
 
 Time, difference of, xix. 
 
 Topography, District, 11. 
 
 Washington, 15. 
 
 Treasury Department, description, 
 131 ; Secretary's room, 133; Cash 
 room, 133; Vaults, 133; Count- 
 ing the currency, 133 ; Bureaus, 
 134; Photograph office, 134; 
 Coast Survey, 135; Secretaries, 
 135; History, 135. 
 
 Secretaries of the, 135. 
 
 Triangles, 39. 
 
 Trumbull, Jonathan, statue of, 107. 
 
 Tyler, John, portrait, 123. 
 
 Undercroft, The, 104. 
 
 University, Columbian, 220; How- 
 ard, 221. 
 
 Uniontown, 230. 
 
 Van Buren, portrait of, 123. 
 
 Van Ness mansion, 210; Ware- 
 house, 210. 
 
 Vault or Undercroft, 104. 
 
 Senate, 103; House, 114. 
 
 Vehicles for hire, xii. 
 
 Vermont av., 25, 27. 
 
 Vestibule, Senate, 91 ; House, 109. 
 
 Vice Presidents U. S., list of, 120. 
 
 Vice President's room, 94. 
 
 View, panoramic, of Washington, 77. 
 
 Views of Washington, 15. 
 
 Virginia av., 28. 
 
 Wallach School, 201. 
 
 War Department, 136; Secretary's 
 office, 136; Gallery of portraits, 
 136 ; Headquarters of the Army, 
 136; Flag room, 137; Signal 
 office, 137; Instrument room, 
 137; the service, 138; Secreta- 
 ries, 139; the Department, 139. 
 
 Secretaries of, gallery of, 136. 
 
 Secretaries of, list of, 138. 
 
 Statue of, 66. 
 
 Washington Asylum, 202. 
 
 Defenses of, 232. 
 
 Distances from, xix. 
 
 Fort, 230. 
 
 Washington city a virgin Capital, 1; 
 Geographical location, 2; Se- 
 lection of site, 2; Distances, 3; 
 Area, 3; Government, 4; Finan- 
 ces, 4; Population, 4; Statistics, 
 5 ; Foreign Capitals, 5. • 
 
252 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 Washington city, History of, 234; 
 
 Commissioners, 235; Mayors, 
 
 241 ; Governors, 241. 
 
 Orphan Asylum, 203. 
 
 Washington, Geo., portraits, Peale's, 
 
 94; Vanderlvn,113; Stuart, 124; 
 
 Peale, 183, 231. 
 Washington, Geo , commission of, 
 
 128. 
 
 Washington, Geo., statue of, Green- 
 ough, 50; Mills, 39; Houdon's 
 copy of, 107; early statue pro- 
 posed 18. 
 
 Tomb of, 230. 
 
 Martha, grave of, 230. 
 
 Washington National Monument, 
 192;' Grounds, 192; Design, 192; 
 Description, 195; Lapidarium, 
 196; History, 196. 
 
 Water supply, 46; Early schemes, 
 
 Water supply — 
 
 47; Aqueduct. 217 ; Experimen- 
 tal surveys, 218. 
 
 Way land Seminary, 220. 
 
 Westward Ho, 109. 
 
 Wharves, 50. 
 
 Georgetown, 214. 
 
 Whipple, Fort, 216. 
 
 White House-see Prest's House, 121. 
 
 Williams, Roger, statue of, 107- 
 
 Winder's Building, 170. 
 
 Wirt, Wm., residence of, 210; grave 
 of, 206. 
 
 Wirz, execution of, 173; grave of, 
 
 226. 
 
 Yellowstone, Grand Canon of, paint- 
 ing, 107. 
 
 Young Men's Christian Ass'n, 199. 
 Zoological Society, 227. 
 Zoology, District, 12. 
 
J 
 
GETTY RESEARCH INSTITUTE 
 
 3 3125 01410 3564