USA > Washington DC > Eminent and representative men of Virginia and the District of Columbia in the nineteenth century. With a concise historical sketch of Virginia > Part 1
USA > Virginia > Eminent and representative men of Virginia and the District of Columbia in the nineteenth century. With a concise historical sketch of Virginia > Part 1
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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65
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M. L!
GENEALOGY COLLECTION
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 02390 3187
:
EMINENT
AND
REPRESENTATIVE MEN
OF
Virginia AND The District of Columbia
OF THE
NINETEENTH CENTURY.
WITH A CONCISE HISTORICAL SKETCH OF VIRGINIA, BY HON. WILLIAM WIRT HENRY, AND OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, BY AINSWORTH R. SPOFFORD.
ILLUSTRATED.
MADISON, WIS. BRANT & FULLER. 1893.
COPYRIGHT, 1891. BY BRANT & FULLER, MADISON, WIS.
Democrat Printing Co., Madison, Wis.
PREFACE. 1204379
In presenting this volume to their patrons the publishers desire to say a few words regarding its preparation. The original design, as indicated in the title, was to restrict the biographies to persons of the present century, and generally this plan has been followed. At the outset it will be conceded that it is impossible to com- pile a book in which biographical sketches of all the deserving citizens would ap- pear. It is equally impossible to rigidly exclude all those to which there might be some objection. To discriminate in matters of this kind to the complete satis- faction of all requires an acuteness of judgment not possible in man.
The responsibility of selecting the biographies for this work belongs entirely with the publishers and can not in any way be attributed to others. The article on the District of Columbia by Hon. Ainsworth R. Spofford and that on Virginia by Hon. William Wirt Henry are sufficiently recommended by their perusal and need no mention of their many excellencies here. The name of either of these gentle- men will in itself amply guarantee the quality of any article to which it has been attached.
The dress in which the book comes before the public is such as ought to satisfy the most exacting and place it at once in the highest class of the bookmaker's productions.
INDEX.
HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA AND WASHINGTON CITY
9
PERSONAL SKETCHES.
Ahert, J. J.
26| Curtis, W. E.
94 | Kelton, J. C ..
182 | Riggs, E. F.
367
Abert. W. Stone.
29 Danenhower, W
97 Kent, L .
187 Riley, W. R. S.
264
Abert, W. Stretch.
30 Danenbower, W. W.
96 Lamar. L. Q. C ...
188 Robert, H. M
2265
Acker, W. H
35 Davis, H. E.
101 |Lambert, T. A
189 Ross, J. W ..
268
Alexander, T. H.
36 Deeble, W. R.
102 Larner, J. B.
190 Rossell, W. T. x71
Anderson. E. W.
37 Duvall, A. B.
103 Lemon. G. E ..
234 Rutherford, A.
Ashford, M
39 Earle, W. E
104 Lincoln, N. S.
364 |Selden, W. H.
275
Baker, H. M
169; Earles, The Southern
104 Little, G. O ...
191 |Sherwood, H.
Bancroft, G
40 Edmonds. J. B.
109 Lovejoy, J. W H
192 Shoemaker, L. P.
Barker, H. H
40 Edmondston. W. E.
109 Lyman, C .
193 Simonds, W. E.
278
Barnard, J.
41 Emery, M. G
110 MacArthur, A ..
196 Smith, F. H.
279
Bartlett, W. A
43| Fardon, A. P
116 Mellhenney, G. A
201 Smith, T W
280
Bell, C. J ..
43|Fava, F. R
120 MeIntire, W. C
202|Soyder, B. P
281
Bingham, E. F
44 Fristoe, E. T
121 |MeKenney, J. H
203 Spear, E ..
282
Birney, A. A.
48 Galt. W. M
122, MeKim. R. H ...
204 Spofford. A. R
282
Blackford, B. L
53 Glover. C. C
128| Mackall, L
206 Stone, R. K
298
Bovée, J. W
54 Goode, J.
132 | Mackey, F. H .
208| Stone, W. J .. Jr
302
Bradley, A. C.
55 Gray, J. H.
98 Manning, Van H ..
209 Stone, W. J., Sr.
291
Bradley, J. P.
55 Green, O. C
134 Mayse, W
209 Sunderland, B.
305
Brainerd, M D
57 Gurley, W. B
137 | Miller, E. H.
213 Tallmadge, T. W
306
Brewer, D. J
58 Hagner. A. B
141 Montgomery, M. V
213 Tanoer. J.
312
Britton, A. T.
59 Hagner, D. R.
141 Morgau. J. E
214 Thayer. R. H
315
Browne, A B.
62 Hagner, P. ..
137 Morris, M. F
218 Thomas. A. A
316
Bryan, S. M.
63| Hagner, P. V.
142 Muneaster, O. M.
221 Thompson, J. F
319
Burdett, S. S.
64|Hall, H. A.
143 | Newlands, F. G.
234 Thompson, W. B
320
Carlisle, C.
290 Hamlin. T. S
144 |Norment. S.
222 Toner, J. M ..
321
Carlisle, J. M
289 Hammond, W. A
146 | Norris, J. L.
225 Tulloch, S. W
332
Carusi, E ..
75 Harlan, J. M .
157 Noyes. C. S.
228 Tullock, T. L
327
Chappelle, P. L ..
71 Hatton. F.
161 O'Farrell, P.
232 Verdi, T. de S.
333
Clagett, W. H
67 Havenner. C. T
162|Oldham, E. A .
236 Waggaman Family.
331
Clarke, D. B.
68 Hazelton. G. C".
165 |Paige, N.
237| Warner. B. H.
341
Clark, W. E.
72 Hazen. W. P. C
168 Parker, M. M
238| Webb, W. B.
312
Claughton, H. O.
76 Herrell, J. E.
168|Patterson, DeW. C
241 |Weller, M. I.
356
Clephane, L
76 Hill. W. C.
171 |Payne, J. G ..
242 Weyl, M.
3-18
Cole. C. C ...
79| Hubbard, G. G
172 Pearson, G. W.
246 Willcox, O. B }
349
Cook, G. W
83 Hyatt, F ..
173 Pelz. P J ..
246
Wilkins, B.
353
Cook, W A.
84 James, C. C.
173 Perry, R. R.
250
Wilson, A. A
353
Corcoran, W. W
85 James, C. P
173 Poindexter, W. M
267 Wilson, J. B.
357
Coulter, W. A
86 Jeffries, N. L.
174 Prentiss, D. W
250 Wolf, S ..
357
Cox, W. S ..
88|Johnson, J. O
177 Presbrey, O F
254 Woodward, W. R
363
Cralle, J B.
91 Johnson, W. G.
293 Prescott, J. A
258 Woods, H. T.
363
Crawford, H. L
93 Jones, J. P ...
233 Rankin, J. E.
258 Wods, T. E.
368
Crawford, S. J
91 Kauffmann, S. H
179 Reyburn, R
263 Wright, H. T
369
Cummings, H. S
93 Kellogg, W. P
180
HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE STATE OF VIRGINIA. . 37 I
PERSONAL SKETCHES.
Adamson, A. L 391| Binford, J. M
400| Brooke, D. T. .
409| Claiborne, J. H .. 423
Armstrong, G. D
391 |Blow. G
400 Brooke, J. V .
410 Clopton, W. I 425
Baker. R. H.
392 Bolling. S
401 Brown, B ..
413 Cochran, J. L
425
Banks, R. G
393 Booker, H. R.
402 Brown, J. W ..
415 Collier. C. F ..
Barten, O. S.
395 Borland, T. R
404, Burton, W. L .
416 Corse, M. D. 429
Baylor, R ..
396 |Bosher, L. C .
405 Camp, W. S ...
419 Crenshaw, O. A. 431
Berrey, R. B.
396 Braxton. C. M.
405 Carrington, P. R
469 Cutshaw, W. E ...
432
Bilisoly, A. L.
397 Brent, S. G .
406 Carruthers, J. E
420 Dabney, W. C.
433
Bilisoly, J. L.
898 Brewer, R. L
407 Chamberlaine, W. W
420 Daingerfield, W. B.
434
Bilisoly, L. A
399 Brock, R. A
408 | Chancellor, J. E ...
422 Davis, R. B.
435
52 Galt. R. L. .
125 MeLachlen, A. M.
205 Stakely, C. A
Bond, S. R.
6
INDEX.
PERSONAL SKETCHES-CONTINUED.
Duke, R. T. W.
435| Jones, T. M.
489 | Newton. G
533 | Starke, L. D.
Edwards, L. B.
437 Kilby, W. J
491 |Newtons of Norfolk
533 Stewart, W. H.
573
Ellyson, J. T.
438 Lacy, B. W. .
193 Nixon, G. H ..
534 Stockdell, H.
574
Emmerson, A
440 Lake, J. B.
495 Nixon, L .
535
Suter, H.
575
Fauntleroy Family
441 Langhorne, W. S
495 Norton, G. H.
536 Talbot, M. W.
576
Fauntleroy, T. T.
441 Lassiter, D. W
497 Old, W. W
538 Taylor, W ..
577
Flournoy, H. W
418
Leigh, H. G
499 Page, H. N
Gray, W. B.
449
Lewis, L. L.
Grice, A. P ..
450
Lloyd, A. S.
501 Patterson, R. A
543
Valentine, E. V 581
584
Hancock, W. T
457
McGuire, H. H
503 Payne, W ..
548 Waddill, E. Jr ..
585
Harmansoa, L.
457
McKinney, P. W
507 Payne, W. H. F
549 Walke, W. T.
586
Hatton, E. A
458 Mahone, W
513 Perkins, R. S.
557 Watts, L. R.
589
Hoge, M. D
463
Mason, J. G ..
515 Peters, W. H
558 Webster, F. P.
591
Hope, F. S.
465
Maupin. G. W. O.
516 Powell, J. D.
559 Wellford, J. S
591
Hope, J. B.
466
Mayo. C. J S.
518 Prentis, R. R
561 Wheat, L
593
Hughes. R. W
473 Michaux, J
519
Reid, C .
562
Whitehead, J. B
594
Hunter, R. M. T.
175
Moore, T. J
520 Reid, G C.
563 Whitehurst, F. M.
594
Hunton, E.
478 Murdaugh, C. W
521 Scott, R. G ..
563 Williams, J. G.
595
Irving, F. D
481
Myers, B
522 Scott, R. T.
564 Williams, T. A ..
597
James, M. L
482
Nash, B. H
523 Sharp, C ..
565 Williams, W. G
596
Johnson, J. M.
483
Nash, C R.
524 Smith, F. L
566 Wise, G ..
598
Johnston, G. .
485 Nash, H. M.
527 Smith, T. W
569
Wise, G. D.
599
Johnston, G. B
487 Nash, J. W ..
528 Smith, W. M.
570 Wright, R. H.
600
Jones, J. A.
488
PORTRAITS.
Abert, J. J
27 | Earle, W. E ...
105 | Lincoln, N S ..
365| Ross, J. W.
269
Abert, W. S.
31 |Emery, M. G.
111 Mcilhenney, G. A.,
200 Spofford, A. R.
283
Bingham, E. F
45 Fardon, A- P.
117 |Miller. E. H
212 Stone, R. K ..
299
Browa, B ..
412 Galt, W. M
123 Morgan, J. E.
215 Stone, W. J., Jr.
303
Camp, W. S.
418 Grice, G. W ..
452 |Morris, M. F.
219 Stone, W. J , Sr ..
295
Carlisle, C.
291 | Hagner, A. B.
140 Nash, H. M
526| Tallmadge, T. W
307
Carlisle, J. M
288 Hagner, P.
136 Norris, J. L
224 Thomas, A. A
312
Clagett, W. H.
66 Hammond, W. A
147 | Noyes, C. S.
229 Tullock, T. L
326
Clark, W. E
73 Hatton, F.
160 Parker, M. M
239 Waggaman, H.
335
Clarke. D. B. .
69 Hazelton, G. C ..
164| Payne, J. G ..
243 Watts, L. R.
588
Clephane, 1 ..
77 | Henry, W. W.
460 Pegram, R. B.
552| Webb, W. B.
313
Cole, C. C ...
81 |Hughes, R. W .
472 Perry, R. R ..
251
Wilson, A. A
352
Cox. W. S ..
89 Jeffries, N. L ...
175 Prentiss, D. W
255. Wilson, J. B.
356
Davis, H. E ...
100 |Kent, L.
. . 186 | Rankin, J. E ..
259
566
Henry, W. W
461 Marshall, R. C.
517 Power, R. H.
560
Wheat, B
593
Horner, G. R. B.
467
Meredith, W. B.
540 |Trevilian, J. G
579
500 Parrish, J ..
542 |Tucker, B, D.
579
Grice, G. W.
453
Lowenhurg. D.
501 Payne, A. D
546 Veaable, E. C ..
578
Gravatt, W L
447 Leake, W. J
498 Oppenhimer, W T.
539 Thompson, J. S. B.
508 Pegram, R. B ..
553 Warner, A ..
.
HISTORICAL SKETCH
OF
THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
AND
WASHINGTON CITY.
BY AINSWORTH R. SPOFFORD.
W ASHINGTON is almost alone among the capitals of great nations of modern times in the fact of its creation for the sole purpose of a seat of government, apart from any questions of commercial greatness or population. While London, Paris, Ber- lin, St. Petersburg, Vienna, and Madrid are respectively the commercial capitals and the most populous cities of the na- tions they represent, Washington never was, and probably will never be, the lead- ing city of the United States, or the great metropolis of a commercial and a manu- The continental congress, during the progress of the Revolutionary struggle, was never long fixed in any one location. Its sessions were convened at eight differ- ent places, in four different states, viz .: Philadelphia, Baltimore, Lancaster, York, Princeton, Annapolis, Trenton and New York city. After the final triumph of the cause of independence, congress removed its sittings from Philadelphia, where they had been for nearly five years continu- ously held, to Princeton, N. J., because of a turbulent interruption to their proceed- facturing population. Though located at the head of tide-water navigation, just below the Little Falls of the Potomac at Georgetown, it could not become a great shipping point without the expenditure of many millions. Nor is it in any sense de- sirable that the political capital of the nation should be a commercial emporium. In trade and manufactures it is over- shadowed, no doubt permanently, by the neighboring great commercial capitals of Baltimore and Philadelphia, distant only thirty-nine and 137 miles respectively, lings by a mob of mutinous soldiers, which
while New York is but 227 miles distant by railway.
The establishment of the national capi- tal of the United States involves so many particulars of historical interest, that nu apology seems necessary for devoting to it a large portion of this introduction. In doing this, it will be my aim to touch with the greatest brevity those portions of the history which have been fully brought out in the various-publications upon the subject, devoting the more attention to other incidents.
IO
SKETCH OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.
the police authorities of Philadelphia had pose, it could and would be obtained. Mr. not promptly quelled. This untoward Madison moved to add to the enumerated powers of congress : "To exercise exclu- sively legislative authority at the seat of the general government, and over a dis- trict around the same not exceeding- event led to much unfavorable comment, and exercised undoubted influence in determining against the location of the ul- timate seat of congress and the govern- ment in any large city.
square miles, the consent of the legisla- ture of the state or states comprising the same being first obtained." This provi- sion was afterward molded into the form it now occupies in the constitution, and adopted without debate : "To exercise exclusive legislation, in all cases whatso- ever, over such district (not exceeding ten miles square) as may by cession of particular states, and the acceptance of congress, become the seat of government of the United States."
The convention for revising the federal system of government assembled in Phil- adelphia May 14, 1787 (continuing in ses- sion till September 17, the same year). On the 26th of July, Mr. George Mason, of Virginia, proposed to provide in the con- stitution against choosing for the seat of the general government any city or place where a state government might be fixed. He apprehended disputes concerning ju- risdiction, as well as an intermixture of the two legislatures, tending to give a pro- Very soon after the organization of the first congress the question of a permanent seat of government was brought up by memorial from citizens of New Jersey and Pennsylvania, praying that the capital might be established on the banks of the Delaware. But the first congress was very tardy in organizing the new government under the constitution, and by want of a quorum delayed from March 4, 1789, to April 30, the inauguration of President Washington. It was hardly to be ex- pected that the representatives of what Washington called, in his address to con- gress, " an infant nation," so many mem- bers of which were indifferent or doubtful as to the success of a federal government, should have been very zeal- ous to unite upon a place for the perma- nent seat of that government. New York, by her municipal authorities, fur- nished to congress what were styled "ele- gant accommodations" free of rent. The vincial tincture to the national delibera- tions. Mr. Gouverneur Morris feared that such a clause might make enemies of Philadelphia and New York, which had expectations of becoming the seat of the general government. Mr. Elbridge Gerry, of Massachusetts, conceived it to be the general sense of America that neither the seat of a state government, nor any large commercial city, should be the seat of the general government. In the reported first draft of the constitution, the provision as to a seat of government for the United States had no place. Mr. Rufus King remarked that the measure authorized the two houses to adjourn to a new place. He thought this inconvenient. The un- stability of place had dishonored the fed- eral government, and would require as strong a cure as we could devise. Mr. Madison supposed that a central place for the seat of government was so just, and would be so much insisted on by the claims of other cities and the offers from house of representatives, that though a various states, which began to pour in, law should be made requisite for the pur- embarrassed the body. The subject first
11
SKETCH OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.
came up in the house of representatives. a part of the New Jersey and Pennsyl- August 27, 1789, on motion of Mr. Scott, of Pennsylvania, " That a permanent res- idence ought to be fixed for the general government of the United States, at some convenient place, as near the center of wealth, population, and extent of territory, as may be consistent with convenience to the navigation of the Atlantic ocean, and have due regard to the particular situa- tion of the western country."
Roger Sherman, of Connecticut, objected to the resolution. He wished to defer a in control of the house. The southern question so important to the next session. members protested against deciding the The Union was not yet complete, and the question. Mr. Jackson, of Georgia, was continent ought to be properly balanced on this question. Besides, the government was not yet in possession of resources for the establishment of a federal town.
Other members urged the importance of settling the question of the capital as itself a new bond of union. Jealousies between the states could not be removed by postponing this question. Congress was now free from factions, and as devoid as possible of the spirit of party and local views. Hereafter faction might lead to the choice of an improper place, from which they would have to remove after expending great sums, or the Union might be dissolved. On the other hand, mem- bers urged precisely the same considera- tions or arguments against deciding on a capital city. Fisher Ames counseled the house to move slowly, to get the govern- ment well organized, before starting a question upon which the very existence and peace of the Union might depend. He doubted whether the government could stand the shock of such a measure, "which involved as many passions as the human heart could display."
Soon after, the New England members concerted with those from New York and
vania delegations a plan to unite their votes for the Susquehanna river, as against any more southern location. Mr. Tucker, of South Carolina, thought any general resolution for a central position too vague. "Is there any common centre? Territory has one centre, population an- other, and wealth a third. Was it in- tended to determine a centre from these three centres?" It became apparent that the advocates of the Susquehanna were
sorry that the people should learn that this matter was precipitated, and that the members from New England and New York had fixed on a seat of government for the United States. "This was not proper language to go out to freemen. It would blow the coals of sedition and endanger the Union. Were the eastern members to dictate the seat of govern- ment of the United States? Why not also fix the principles of government?" He denied the territorial centrality of the place proposed. He hoped the Po- tomac would be substituted for the Sus- quehanna.
Mr. Sedgwick, of Massachusetts, said: "It is the opinion of all the eastern states that the climate of the Potomac is naturally unhealthy and destructive to northern constitutions. Vast numbers of eastern adventurers have gone to the southern states, and all have found their graves there."
Mr. Vining, of Delaware, said: "Though the interest of the state I represent is involved in it, I am yet to learn of the committee whether congress are to tickle the trout on the stream of the Codorus, to build their sumptuous palaces on the . banks of the Potomac, or to admire com- merce with her expanded wings on the waters of the Delaware. I have, on this
12
SKETCH OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.
occasion, educated my mind to impar- | faith of all south of the Potomac would tiality, and have endeavored to chastise be shaken. its prejudices."
This effusive gentleman proceeded:
"I confess to the house, and to the world, that, viewing this subject with all its circumstances, I am in favor of the Potomac. I wish the seat of government to be fixed there; because I think the in- terest, the honor and the greatness of this country require it. I look on it as the center from which those streams are to flow that are to animate and invigorate the body politic. From thence, it ap- pears to me, the rays of government will most naturally diverge to the extremities of the Union. I declare that I look on the western territory in an awful and striking point of view. To that region the unpolished sons of earth are flowing from all quarters-men, to whom the protection of the laws, and the control- ling force of the government, are equally necessary; from this great consideration, I conclude that the banks of the Potomac are the proper station.'
Mr. Heister, of Pennsylvania, moved to insert Harrisburg as more eligible than any place mentioned, having uninter- rupted communication to the sources of the river Susquehanna.
Mr. Madison opposed the Susquehanna as not navigable, and it had been agreed on all hands that we ought to have some regard to the Atlantic navigation. As to the communication with the western ter- ritory, that by the l'otomac was more certain and convenient than the other,
Mr. Madison said that if the declara- tions of proceedings of this day had been brought into view in the convention of Virginia which adopted the federal con- stitution, he firmly believed that Virginia might not have been a part of the Union at this moment.
Mr. Sedgwick wished to know if it was contended that the majority shall not govern? "Are we to be told that an im- portant state would not have joined the Union had they known what would have been the proceedings of this house?" Mr. Madison replied that all which was asked was time for free deliberation. While he acknowledged that the majority ought to govern, they have no authority to debar the minority from the constitutional right of free debate. Facts should be gathered, and it was their right to bring all the argu- ments which they thought should influence the decisions.
Mr. Ames said the house was ready to vote, and while he had no doubt of the patriotism and good intentions of the gentlemen from Virginia, they seemed to be engaged with a degree of eagerness which none else appear to feel. They seem to think the banks of the Potomac a paradise, and that river a Euphrates.
Mr. Burke, of South Carolina, said the while the water communication with the northern states had had a fortnight to sea by the Potomac was wholly unob- structed.
manage this matter and would not now allow the southern states a day. A league had been formed between the northern states and Pennsylvania.
Mr. Lee, of Virginia, said it was well known with what difficulty the constitu- tion was adopted by the state of Virginia. Mr. Fitzsimmons denied the assertion as it respected Pennsylvania. If it should now be found that confedera- cies of the eastern states were formed to Mr. Wadsworth, of Connecticut, said, with respect to bargaining, it would reflect no honor on either side of the house. He unite their councils for their particular interests, disregarding the southern states, they would be alarmed and the must either give his vote now or submit
13
SKETCH OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.
to more bargaining. He did not dare go seaboard was the most convenient spot. to the Potomac; he feared that the whole of the northeast will consider the Union as destroyed.
Mr. Madison urged that a central loca- tion would give to the greatest number of the people an earlier knowledge of the laws, greater influence in enacting them, better opportunities for anticipating them, and a thousand other circumstances will give a superiority to those who are thus situated. If it were possible to promul- gate our laws by some simultaneous opera- tion, it would be of less consequence where the government might be placed; but if time is necessary for this purpose, we ought, as far as possible, to put every part of the community on a level.
Mr. Madison's sagacious observation here anticipated what we now see, all parts of a widely extended union of states brought to an instantaneous and equal knowledge of the doings of congress by the lightning intelligence of the press.
"On a candid view of the two sites," said Mr. Madison, " the seat which would most correspond with the public interest was the Potomac. He defied any gentle- man to cast his eye in the most cursory manner over a map, to say that the Poto- mac is not much nearer the center than any part of the Susquehanna. We were
not choosing a seat of government for the present moment only. Population follows climate, soil and the vacancy to be filled. The swarm does not come from the south- . ern but from the northern and eastern hives. The Potomac is the grand highway
With singular inconsistency, Mr. Ames argued farther on against the Potomac, that it was exposed to danger by sea, since large vessels could go to George- town.
" West of the Ohio was an almost im- measurable wilderness; it was perfectly romantic to calculate the increase of that part of the country; probably it would be nearly a century before its people would be considerable. As to the south, would the gentlemen deny that trade and manu- factures would accumulate people in the eastern states in the proportion of five to three compared with the southern? The southern climate and negro slavery are acknowledged to be unfavorable to population. The seat of government on the Susquehanna would be nearly accessi- ble by water to all the people on the sea- coast by the Delaware river on the one side and the Chesapeake bay on the other."
It will be seen how completely consid- erations of transit by water rather than land were made the ruling ones in this debate. It also appears how little actual knowledge had been acquired of the depth or navigable quality of the streams, when the lower Susquehanna was gravely talked of as furnishing easy access to the ocean, and the Kiskiminetas and Juniata were extolled as feasible water-ways. On the other hand, the advocates of the Poto- mac, who saw in the upper regions of that rocky, shallow and tortuous river a great national highway to the west, ap- undeniable beauties of the locations pre- sented by its banks, and its facile naviga- tion from tide-water at Georgetown to almost insuperable barriers which nature
of communication between the Atlantic pear to have been carried away by the
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