USA > Washington DC > Washington DC > Historical sketches of the ten miles square forming the District of Columbia : with a picture of Washington, describing objects of general interest or curiosity at the metropolis of the Union. > Part 13
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First .. . . . |
-
3
:
:
6
2
1
15
1
5
564
3,572
Second ...
1
15
..
3
..
..
1
..
$6
4
4 644
4,078
Third .. ..
9
58
..
:
:
:
5
S1
=
6
846
5,358
Fourth ...
1
:
:
:
1
:
:
:
4
1
302
1,913
Fifth .. ...
..
1
:
:
:
:
:
:
10
.
266
1,687
Sixth ... .
..
. .
:
:
:
:
.
:
:
:
2
1!
428
2,711
-
11
58
..
1.4
..
31
+
Un
-
148 |16.17.3050 13,319;
:
:
: :
:
: :
·
.
2
7
15
16
7
21
Dec. 31, 1829.
2
.198
Dwellings erected-Continued.
WARDS.
On Personal.
On Improve- ments.
Male.
Female.
No of Carriages other
Running fect of pavement
Total running feet of
parement in the city.
First .. . ..
$133,600
624,783
S9
105
29
1,537| 24,826
Second ...
131,600
671,605
113
137
30
2,091
26,737
Third ....
183,370
999,475
104
184
$5
3,347
26,813
Fourth ...
43,150
250,200
52
67
21
·
9,234
Fifth ....
24,175
169,810
76
90
9
... .
៛55
Sixtlı ...
36,125
208,595
50
65
16
...
275
1 552,090 | 2,924.458
:484 |648 |140 | 6,975 98,640
First Ward-But little improvement of a general natur has been made within the year. A very extensive and neut
Brewery establishment has been crected by Mr. Haman.
Second Ward .- Some improvement have been made on streets, and in filling in near the Canal, east of 14th-und south of the Potomac Bridge, considerable facilities have been made
for the accommodation of the Steam Boats and vessels arriving
and departing thesefrom, by the enlargement of the old
one by Mr. F. X. Kennedy; this part of the ward has now
the old wharves, by Mr. A. Bradley, and the creation of a new
quite a commercial appearance.
ing an abundant supply of water; another line has been bar! nue has been completed to the east side of Sixth street, afford- Third Ward .-- The live of ron pipes on Pennsylvania Ave .
ASSESSMENTS OF PH - PARTY IN THE CITY.
RESIDENT SLAVES.
laid in 1829.
than Hacks.
199
Diseases and Deaths.
from a well on 6th street along Louisiana Avenue to 8th street and up 7th street to D, at the Patriotio Bank. No improve- ments of a general nature except casual repairs have been made. The National hotel has been completed, and the Bank of Washington removed into the rooms provided for it last year. Brown's Hotel has undergone repairs and extensive additions added to it four stories high on the North front, and the old dining rooms converted into handsome stores. The large ad- dition to the Post Office building has been fitted up for the Pa- tent Office and City Post Office, and occupied by them.
Fourth Ward-Some further improvements have been made in and around the Capitol and grounds adjacent.
Fifth and Sixth Wards .- Little other than repairs have been done in these Wards.
List of Diseases and Deaths in 1829.
DISEASES.
Jan'y.
Feb'y.
March
April
May.
June.
July.
Aug't.
Sept'r.
Octb'r.
Nov'r.
(D)ec'r.
Totals.
Asthma,.
1
Burn, ..
3
Contusion.
Consumption, ..
5
+. . .
10 -- -
. .
·
. 9. ... . .
. . . .. . .
+. . .
+. ..
SI
Cholera Morbus
·
·
·
1
1
" Infantum,. ·
20
Convulsions, ...
3
S
2
4
21
Cholic, .
₦.
1
3
Casualty,
1
1
Cancer,.
1
S
Dropsy,.
2
6
" Brain, ..
1
11
Chest, ...
·
1
1
Derang't mental
Drunkenness, ..
2
Dysentery, ...
·
1
3
Drowned,
·
·
1
Frysipelas, .
1
Fever, .
1
" Puerperal
·
·
1
" Typhus, ..
.i Bilions, ...
·
-.
·
2
18
1
Dispepsia, ..
1
·
2
5
7
Decay,. 3
1
1
Croup,
3
2
5
5
1
200
Diseases and Deaths-Continucd.
DISEASES.
· Jan'y.
.Feb'y.
- . March
April
May
-· 'June
. July
. Aug't.
- Sept'r.
-· Oct'r.
-. ; Nov'r.
· Dec r.
- Totala.
Hooping cough
Inflam. Liver,.
1
1
Lungs, .
Brain, ..
Bowels,
Influenza,. ..
Old age, ..
3
1
1
1
·
1
1
5
Pneumonia, .. 3
2
- 12
--
1
Palsy, ..
1
Rheumatism, ..
·
·
5
3
1
1
1
9
1
16
Sudden,
3
1
·
1
1
1
1
1
.
1
1 0
Suicide,.
1
'Teething,
1
3
2
1
1
Q
Worms, ..
3
1
2
1
2
1
1
11
: Adults, ...
14 10 11
8 11 19 9 13 16 12
13
150
Children, ... 8 9 16
9
9 13 18 33 29 13
6
5
165
22 19 27 17 20 23 27 46 45 25 15 18
30}
'The average of deaths for the last ten years has been one in every fifty-three.
1520, ..
327
1824,.
290
1827,
252
1821,
335
18:25,.
225
1828,
251
1522,
200
1820,
233
1820,
SOi
1523,.
336
.
1
!
·
·
·
·
·
1
.
1
3
1
.
·
2
1
. 2
1
Paralyses, ..
Parturition, .
2
1
4.
16
Pleurisy, ..
1
·
.
. . 1
1
1 1
5
Stilborn,.
1
1
1
Unknown,
1
·
ـة . هداة
Hernia, stran'd.
·
1 5
2
1
·
S
201
Meteorological Tuble.
THE WEATHER.
,
Thermo'mr.
Barometer.
Thermen.'r.
Barometer.
| 3 | Maximum.
5| | Minimum.
Diff. of extremes
Mean of extrms.
Maximum.
Minimum.
Diff. of extremes
Mean of extrm's
Rain.
1 5 | Maximum.
Diff. of extremes
Mean of catrins.
Maximum.
Minimum.
Diff. of extremes
Mean of ext'mes
Rain.
D
0).
In.
In.
In.
In.
In.
1
1.88 55'10 45 323:30.93 20.66 1.27 30.293
6.90
Feb'v. 66 22:44 44 30.81 29.37 1.44
30.09
3.24 .50 10 40 30 :50.61 20.33 1.28 30.17
2.00
March 78:20:58 49 :30.63 20.63 1.00
30.18
3.33| 66192 44 44 130.45 29.35 1. 19 50.10
2,74
April 69;30:39 493 30.42 20.69 .80
30.02
4.06 85132 53 581 30.59 29.35 1.17:29.93
3.12
May 84:36 48 60 30.45 29.561 .89
50.002
3.24 85 42 43 633 30.38 99.65
.73 30.0131
2.49 1.79
June 94 60:3477 $0.21 20.77: . 44| 29.99
1.59 90 60 30,75 30.20 29.21
.96.29.72
.85.99.4731
7.84
Sept'r. 99,47 45 695 30.25 29.10 1.15
29.073 30.251
---
1.041 70 35:55 523:30.95 29.43 1.52 30.19
3.19 1.78
Nov'r. : 70'30 40 50 30.72 20.901 .82
30.31
0.05 62 98:34'45 130.33 20.50 .83 29.915
3.81
Dec'r. 69:10 46 39 .30.89 29.87 1.02
30.38
0.45
69|27:35 443:30.80 29.30 1.50:30.05
2.97
- -
-
-
-
-
56 |
30.13 109.55}
55
23.93 42.09
In.
In.
In.
In
In.
--
Jan'v. 66 10 56 38
131.03 29.75 1.98
30.39
July 94,58:36.76 30.65 29.65 1.0: 5 30.15 Ang't. 94:60 3477 30.90 29.72 1.181 30.31
1.91| 90:57 35 733 29.90 20.05
1.3 90:62,28 76 :29.85 20.39 .44 29.01 1 1.37| 86 47 39 663 30. 15 29.16) .99 29.654
5.23
Oct'r. 80,29 51 545 30.75 20.70 .90
14
1829.
1828
I).
202
The Jail.
THE JAIL
Is immediately north of the City Hall. It is much too limited to contain with comfort, the prisoners generally required to be kept in it .- It is two stories high: on the lower story are 16 cells, each of 8 feet square, lighted by a small · window. A committee of Congress in 1825, re- ported that the plan of this building was defec- tive, and decidedly condemned its " gloomy do- minions," as unfit for the safe keeping or accom- modations of the unfortunate within its walls; that its size ought to be increased, and that it was impossible for the keeper by any care and attention to render the condition of those com- mitted to his charge tolerable. The recent erec- tion of the Penitentiary will hereafter relieve the City jail of its convicts, and separate them from those committed for trial,
THE PENITENTIARY-Charles Bulfinch, Architect.
This building is now completed and ready for the reception of convicts. Rules for its govern- ment have been submitted to Congress. It is best described in the language of the architect:
" Having says Mr. Bulfinch, "viewed these Penitentiary establishments [in New Hampshire
1
20S
The Penitentiary.
and Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York City, Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virgin- ia,] the most distinguished in our country, which have been constructed under the direction of men of the most philanthropic views, we find, that though very different in their plans and arrange- ment, they agree in one respect, to appropriate a a cell or dormitory to each prisoner, in the night. Observing this principle, and knowing it is the expectation of the Committee of the District of Columbia, and by them communicated to Con- gress, that the prisoners should be compelled to work, to defray a part of the expense of their maintenance, I give a preference to the Auburn plan for its economy, and for its simplicity of in- spection: even the smallness of the cells is an advantage as it will not be possible to put more than one prisoner in each. The plan, which I have the honor to present, is drawn on this prin- ciple. It consists of four stories of dormitories, of 7 feet by 33. Forty on each floor, making the number of 160, as directed by an act of Con- gress. This body of cells will be enclosed by walls and a roof 120 feet long, and 50 wide, which will allow a wider area than in the New York prisons, in consideration of the greater heat of this climate. A house, 25 by $8 feet, will be attached to each of the innermost angles
204
The Penitentiary-
of the principal building; containing in one, ilie keepers' apartments and offices; and in the other, thre public kitchen, wash-house, apothecaries room and infirmary. The whole area, 500 feet square, to be surrounded by a wall 20 feet high, with an attendant's lodge and cleansing rooms within the gate. A portion of the ground in front, within the wall, to be cultivated for vege- tables for the house, and the remainder and larger part to be reserved for workshops, to be erected in future."
Extracts from the First . Innual Report of the Board of Inspec- tors of the Penitentiary for the District of Columbia, 1830.
The Penitentiary is now ready to receive con- victs; and nothing remains to be done, to bring it into effective operation, but such a revision and amendment of the criminal laws of this District, as shall adapt it to the improved system of pen- itentiary punishment.
Itis the object of this system, not only to pro- tect society from the repetition of the offence, and to deter, by the force of example, but to reform the offender, to separate him as much as possible from corrupting intercourse with more efficient and hardened felons, to give to him the benefit of moral and religious instruction, and to teach him some useful mechanic art, which may furnish the means of honest livelihood after his discharge, as well as indemnify the public for the expense of his support while he is suffering the sentence of the law.
The criminal law here remains almost unchan- ged, as it existed upon the cession of this District.
001 ni
205
The Penitentiary.
by the States of Maryland and Viginia, and par- takes of the sanguinary character of the statute and common law punishments of England. Some of its ferocious enactments have been heretofore brought to the notice of Congress, by a late Re- presentative from the state of Pennsylvania, to whose zcal and exertions the people of this Dis- trict owe a lasting debt of gratitude.
There are in the county of Washington not less than fourteen capital offences; and, in the county of Alexandria, they are still more numer- ous. The humane and enlightened legislation of modern times, confirmed by the results of expe- rience, has established the principle, in criminal jurisprudence, that the mildness and certainty of punishment is much more efficient than severity in restraining and preventing crime, and operat- ing favorably by example.
In connexion with a revision of the criminal law, the inspectors suggest, that the cause of hu- manity and public virtue, no less than true ccon- omy, requires the establishment of a separate cri- minal court for this District, to be held at least quarterly, in cach of the counties, by a judge appointed for that purpose. The Circuit Court has exclusive criminal, in addition to its common law and chancery, jurisdiction. It holds enly two sessions in the year; and, from the mass of business in the court, its sessions, in Washington county, are protracted to the length of six or so- ven weeks. Although, by the practice of the court, the business of the public prosecutor has a preference over the civil business, still it often happens that tedious and long common law civil
206
The Penitentiary.
causes intervene, and greatly increase, in the at - tendance of witnesses, the costs of criminal tri- als.
The Inspectors are, by law, required " to pro- vide for the separate labor and instruction of any convict under the age of fourteen years, and to make and enforce such rules and regulations therefor, as may, in their judgment, most con- duce to the reformation and instruction of such youthful convicts."
In a population, such as that of the District, which is almost entirely a city and town popula- tion, it must be expected, that there will be many of this class of offenders. Deprived, in their infancy, of the wholesome restraints of parental authority, or else the offspring of intemperate, idle, and profligate parents, ignorant and desti- tute themselves, they steal, to satisfy the wants of suffering nature. or, what is worse, are stimu- lated to prey upon the community, that they may minister to the vices of their degraded and cor- rupting parents. Of all the institutions to which the benevolence of the present day has given birth, there are none which promise more good to society in checking the progress of crime, than schools of reform and houses of refuge for juvenile delinquents. They strike at the cvil in . its inception, when the work of reformation is comparatively easy, and may apply itself to a mind, unconfirmed in vice, and open to the ad- monitions of virtue,
The Penitentiary is an unsuitable place for such youthful offenders. They require a milder, more paternal government, less labor, and more
-----
------
207
The Penitentiary.
education; officers of different qualifications; and should not see or associate with veteran and hardened convicts, or be subject to the reproach, in after life, of having been inmates of a State Prison. No rules we could adopt, can ever ade- quately supply the place of a separate establish- ment
After all, the success of the Penitentiary mainly depends upon the ability, integrity. and vigilance, of the Warden and his inferior ofli- cers. No written rules can supply the absence of these indispensable qualifications. The prin- ciples of improved prison discipline are few and simple. Separate dormitories at night, diligent labor and silence during the day, and constant inspection to prevent intercourse, and enforce obedience, with the aid of moral and religious instruction, are the great features of the system. With talents and integrity to apply them, as at Auburn, Sing Sing, Wethersfield, Baltimore, and Charlestown, under the new system, we may expect in time to exhibit a like example of order, industry, cleanliness, health, and profit to the state.
Extracts from the Rules and Regulations.
OF THE RECEPTION AND DISCHARGE OF CONVICTS.
ist. On the arrival of a convict, immediate notice, shall be given to the Physician, who shall examine the state of his health. He shall then be stripped of his clothes, and clothed in the uniform of the Prison, as hereinafter provided; being first bathed and cleaned, and having his hair cut close, as prescribed by law.
2J. He shall then be examined by the Warden and Clerk, in the presence of as many of the keepers as can conveniently attend, that they may become acquainted with his person and countenance, and his name, heigth, apparent age, alledged
208
The Penitentiary-Regulations.
place of nativity, complexion, color of hair and eyes, and length of fect, to be accurately measured, and all visible scars or marks, the Court convicted in, and crime found guilty of, and length of sentence, shall be entered in a bock provided for that purpose, with such other general description, as mav tend to his or her future identification ; and if the convict can write, his or her signature shall be written under the said de- scription of the person.
3d. All the effects on the person of the convict, as well as his clothes, shall be taken from him, and preserved and taken care of, if worth it, by the Warden, to be restored to him on his discharge.
4th. The convict shall be instructed carefully by the offi- cers, in the rules and regulations of the Prison, by which he is to be governed; and if in health, shall there be put to work, at such trade as he knows, if practicable; if not, or he has no trade, the Warden shall select such trade or employment as seems best suited to his strength and capacity.
5th. When a convict shall be discharged, by the expiration of the term for which he was sentenced, or by pardon, he shall take off the Prison uniform, and have the clothes brought by him to the Prison, restored to him; or, if they are unfit, a new, cheap, and suitable laborer's dress, with the other property or effects, if any, taken from him on his commitment.
6.h. When a prisoner is discharged, it shall be the duty of the Warden, if practicable, to learn from him his former his- tory, the means of moral and religious instruction enjoyed by him, the early temptations to crime, to which he was exposed. or by which he was assailed, his habits, predominant passions, and prevailing vices, and in what part of the country he intends to fix his future residence; all of which shall be entered by the Clerk, in a book to be kept for that purpose, together with his name, nge, and time of discharge.
7th. It the Inspectors and Warden have been satisfied with the industry, good order, and morality of his conduct, they chall give him a certificate to that effect.
RATIONS AND CLOTHING.
Ist. The ration for each man per day, shall be
12 oz. of pork or 16 oz. of beef;
10 oz. of wheat flour, not bolted;
12 oz. of Indian meal; & gill of Molasses;
and 2 quarts of rye, 4 quarts of salt, 4 quarts of vinegar, 13 or. of pepper; and 23 busheis of potatoes to each 100 rations. The rations of the women and boys, shall be as nearly in pin-
209
The Penitentiary-Regulations.
portion, as possible, taking into consideration age, health, &c.
2d. Salt pork and salt beef shall be furnished alternately, each three days: and fresh beef once in each week, or oftener, if the Warden shall see fit and proper: all the articles to be of good quality, and sound.
3d. The clothing for each convict shall be a roundabout, or over jacket, a vest and pantaloons, made of wool, for the winter, and cotton or linen, for the summer: with stripes run- uing round the body and limbs, a cap of the same eloth, leath- er shoes, and woollen socks, and shirts of coarse cotton or linen. Each convict shall have a mattress, two blankets made of course woollen yarn, not less than 14 yards wide, and 24 yards long, one coarse sheet, of the same size. They shall not be permitted to lie down, or to rise up from their beds, until notice given by the bell, for that purpose; nor shall they be permitted to sleep in their clothes.
4th. The hour for breakfast, from the 20th March, to the 20th of September, shall be 7 o'clock, A. M ..; and, from the 20th September to the 20th March, 8 o'clock. The hour for dinner, shall be 1 o'clock, P. M. The convicts shall be al- lowed forty-five minutes at breakfast, and one hour at dinner: at the expiration of which time, they shall be turned out of their calls, and again put to labor.
DUTIES OF CONVICTA.
1st. Every convict shall be industrious, in the performance of any duty assigned to him, he shall labor diligently, and in silence, and obey implicitly, the orders of the officers of the institution.
2d. No convict shall secrete, or hide, or carry about his person, any instrument or thing, with intent to make his es- cape, or in any other manner endeavour to make his escape.
3d. No convict shall dispute, quarrel with, or in any manner misbehave to another convict, nor converse with any other prisoner, without the leave, or by the order of an oficer; nor absent himself from his work, nor look at, or speak to visitors, nor go into the prison yard, without orders, nor go into the lodging rooms, after being turned out in the morning, till or- dered, nor leave the hospital, when unwell, and sent there.
4th. No convict shall drink any spirituous, vinous, or fer- mented liquors, unless prescribed by the physician, when sick in the hospital, nor game in any form, or by any device what- soever, nor cher or use tobacco.
5th. No convict shall write or receive a letter, to, or from any person whatever, nor have intercourse with persons with out the prison, by any other means.
210
The Penitentiary-Regulations.
6th. No convict shall burn, or in any other manner waste, destroy, or injure, any raw materials, or manufactured articles, or other public property, nor deface or injure the prison, or any of the buildings or fixtures connected with it.
7th. No convict shall laugh, dance, whistle, sing, run, jump, or do any thing which will tend to alarm or disturb the prison.
8th. Convicts shall always conduct themselves towards the officers of the institution, with deference and respect: and cleanliness in their persons, dress, and bedding, is required.
9th. When the convicts go to meals, or to, or from the shops, they shall proceed in regular order, in silence, march- ing in the lock step, accompanied by their proper officers. They shall eat their meals, till a common hall is provided, in their respective cells.
PUNISHMENTS.
1st. For the violation of any of the foregoing rules und reg- ulations, the offenders shall be punished by the Warden, with confinement, in a solitary cell, on a diet of bread and water, not exceeding twenty days, for each offence; subject, hower- er, to be mitigated or suspended by the visiting inspector, at his next weekly visitation; or by the Board of Inspectors, at their monthly meeting; and to whom such casses of punish- ment shall be regularly reported, by the Warden, with the . nature, particulars, and aggravation of the offences.
The Spelare
211
Churches-Catholic.
THE CATHOLIC CHURCH.
The Catholics have three churches in the City of Washington, viz: St. Patrick's Church, built. in 1810, 120 feet long. the greatest breadth 84 feet, It is situated in F street; is a large and plain brick building, in the form of a Latin cross. It is distinguished by Gothic windows. 'The in- terior is plain, but furnished with some fine paint- ings and a handsome pulpit, of rich foreign wood, presented by Mr. Rebello, the late representative of the Emperor of Brazil. This church owes its foundation and growth to the Rev. Mr. Matthews; the number of the congregation is about 4000. - St. Peters' Church, on Capitol Hill, is 85 feet long and 60 broad, congregation 2000; and St. Mary's Church, near the twenty buildings. They have an Orphan Asylum, under the direction of the Sisters of Charity of St. Joseph, incorporated by Congress: 21 orphans are maintained in this assylum, to which is attached a day school for in- digent female children, consisting of upwards of 200. In Georgetown they have two Churches, viz: Trinity Church, the number of the congre. gation about 5,000: the Sacred Heart Church, a beautiful building adjoining the Convent of the Visitation. The Ladies of this Convent have a
3
212
Episcopal Church.
most extensive and flourishing Academy for young ladies. They have also a charity school in which they educate upwards of 300 poor female children. There is also an institution for indigent male chil- dren, under the direction of the zealous and inde- fatigable Mr. Brigden. 'The College of George- town is under the direction of the Jesuits; it is in a very flourishing condition, and is carried on by a very learned body of professors.
[See " Colleges"-" Georgetown. "]
They have in Alexandria one Church, lately erected, a very neat building in the Gothic style, congregation 900.
EPISCOPAL CHURCHI.
The Protestant Episcopal Church of this Dis- trict belongs to two Dioceses, Maryland and Vir- ginia. The former has the jurisdiction of all that part north of the Potomac, the latter all south of it. There are within the District eight churches, two of which, St. John's, Georgetown and Rock Creek, are at present destitute of Rectors; the others are placed under the charge of zealous evangelical clergymen, who devote all their time to the care of their respective flocks.
Rock Creek Church, situated on the north east bounds of the District, was erected long before the revolution, of brick imported from England;
.
215
Episcopal Church.
the walls of which have the appearance of as much stability and firmness now, as though they had beer. built but yesterday. The congregation, owing to the sparseness of the population in that neighbourhood, is but small.
St. John's Church, Georgetown, was erected more than thirty years since, and placed under the pastoral care of the Rev. Mr. Sayre, who of- ficiated but a few years before he died, and on his decease, was succeeded by the Rev. Walter D. Addison.
This reverend gentleman, whose character for piety, gentleness of manners, and guilelessness of heart, is not surpassed by any of his brethren, here or elsewhere, after having faithfully labor- ed in his holy vocation among this people for more than twenty years, has recently been se afflicted with an infirmity of the eyes, as to dis- able him from the performance of his clerical du- ties. The congregation, at present, is very small, but hopes are entertained of its increase and fu- ture prosperity.
Christ Church, at the Navy Yard, of which the Rev. Ethan Allen is Rector, was built about the year 1800, and for the period of about sixteen years, was the only place of Episcopal public wor- ship in the city, and was honoured with the regu- lar attendance of those distinguished statesmen, Jefferson and Madison.
1
Inte bo
214
Episcopal Church.
In the year 1825, this Church was enlarged, and shortly afterwards a parsonage was built ad- joining the Church, in which the worthy Rector now resides.
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