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 16
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Relentless walls! whose darksome round contains Repentant sighs, and voluntary pains:
Ye rugged rocks! which holy knees have worn; Ye grots and caverns shagg'd with horrid thorn! Shrines! where their vigils pale-eyed virgins keep; And pitying saints, whose statues learn to weep!
The visitor is admitted into the speaking roon, as it is called, which is separated from the sanc- tum sanctorum, by substantial wooden bars, re- sembling the grates of a prison. The Sisters are clad in sable garments, with deep black hoods,
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Georgetown Convent.
and white veils descending to the waist. . The Nuns are from various States of the Union, and generally number about fifty, and are constantly receiving accessions. The process of initiation is the same as at other nunneries, the novitiate being two years, the first for the white veil, and the second for the black, after which, there can be no retreat. To minds of a particular cast, this mode of life is no doubt agreeable; as every countenance here wears the appearance of content- ment and cheerfulness. Those who are sincere in their faith, find pleasure in devotion, and in the discharge of what is deemed a duty: and to those who fly hither as a refuge from disappoint- ment and despair, seclusion and solitude are pre- ferable to the reproaches and scorn of the world :
How happy is the blameless vestal's lot! The world forgetting, by the world forgot: Eternal sunshine of the spotless mind! Each prayer accepted, and each wish resign'd; Labor and rest, that equal periods keep; Obedient slumbers, that can wake and weep; Desires composed, affections ever even; Tears that delight, and sighs that waft to heaven. Grace shines around her with serenest beams, And whispering angels prompt her golden dreams. For her the unfading rose of Eden blooms, And wings of seraphs shed divine perfumes: For her the SrotsE prepares the bridal ring, For her white virgin's hymenxls sing, To sounds of heavenly harps she dies away, And melts in visions of eternal day!
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Georgetown College and Miracle.
MIRACLE.
The author of the subjoined communication, was. at the time of penning it, a Professor in this College; he is now at Rome, but as the miracle is still a topic of conversation within this Dis- trict, and a very singular occurrence, we insert it entire, on the authority of Mr. Kohlmann, who detailed the facts of the case in a letter to Lewis Willcocks, Esq., of New York, dated White Marsh, Prince George county, Maryland, 15th March, 1824.
' The metropolis of America is moved, as Je- rusalem formerly was, at the arrival of the three wise men. It is in a transport of admiration, and religious awe, and nothing can be thought or spo- ken of but the astonishing and splendid prodigy, which JESUS CHRIST, the Eternal Son of God, and most amiable Saviour of mankind, has been pleased to work in the capital of America, and in sight of our national council.
'The fact is this :- conformably to the direction of Alexander, Prince of Hohenlohe, Priest of the Catholic Church at Bamburg in Germany, a ninc days devotion to the sacred name of Jesus, was performed by several persons --- the devotion con sisted in reciting the litany of the same name .- On the 10th inst. at half past 3 o'clock in the morning (the day and hour appointed by the
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Miracle.
Prince for all those who live out of Europe, and who wish to unite with him in spirit, in holy pry- er, that is to say, in the holy sacrifice of mas-, which he celebrates at that precise hour, for ob- taining the restoration of his health, ) mass was celebrated by several priests, at the above hour, and amongst others, by your humble servant in Georgetown College.
The mass ended about 4 o'clock, af which time holy . communion was administered to the sick persons, whose cure was the sole object of said devotion, and who had prepared themselves for a worthy participation of it by a sorrowful confess- ion of their sins.
'Mrs. Anne Mattingly, the sister of Captain Thomas Carbery, the present Mayor of the City of Washington, a sister of the Reverend Joseph Carbery, a priest of the society of JESUS, and of a nun at mount Carmel. of the order of Theress, in Charles county, Maryland, and of two other single sisters, at present residing with her at the Mayor's house.
'Mrs. Mattingly at the very precise moment of swallowing the adorable sacrament at the above hour, four minutes after 4 o'clock, is from the point of death, at which she then was, restored, to a most perfect state of health.
'At the moment of swallowing the blessed sa- crament, (while her tongue being quite parched and dead-like, she could scarcely effect. ) she rises up in her bed, and lifting up her two arms, one of which she had not been able for a long time e- ven to move, she exclaims-"LORD JESUS! what have I done to obtain so great a favor? what shall
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Miracle.
I do to acknowledge so great a benefit? asks for her clothes, dresses herself, sits up, throws herself down on her knees, with the priest, the Rev. Ste- phen Dabrieson, who had given her the holy com- munion, and who was prostrate on the grou d, lost in a transport of admiration and gratitude; then rises, walks through the room, and on that same morning. tock as much food as she had taken for the space of six months previous, viz: two cups of coffee, a biscuit, and an egg, with drink; received in that day, perhaps a thousand visitors, and on the following day more than two thou- sand; shaking hands with every body, smiling, laughing, conversing the whole day, and fromn the ghastly, emaciated, livid countenance of a dying person. in which state I saw her at about 6 o'clock of the day before her miraculous cure, restored to an angelical countenance, which cir- cumstance alone delights every body.
'All the physicians who attended her solemn. ly declared, that the nature of her distemper was entirely out of the reach of medical assis- tauce.
. During the above nine days devotion she be- came worse and worse every day; was consider- ed on two different days as having expired: was at the point of death when I saw her at about 6 o'clock in the evening, prior to her sudden restor ation on the morning, and even worse at 10 0'- clock the same night, when visited by the Revd. Mr. Matthews, rector of St. Patrick's church, in Washington City, and was literally at the point of death, of expiring in the opinion of more than ten respectable persons, when at the momena of
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Miracle. 255
receiving the adorable sacrament, she was restor- ed to as perfect a state of health as I, who am writing, or any one who may read this letter.
'I was prevailed upon to spend the night subse- quent to her miraculous cure, at the Mavor's house. I saw Mrs. Mattingly in the morning, and she declared that she never spent a better night in her life.
'At about half past 6 o'clock the intelligence of Mrs. Mattingly's having been perfectly resto- red to health, at the precise moment of the holy communion, was brought to the College of Georgetown, The bell was rung; a solemn Te Deum, with the exposition of the blessed arena- ment, was sung by the whole house, after which I hastened to the city to view the grand vision which the Lord had shewn unto us. When apon entering the room Mrs. Mattingly met me with a smiling countenance; I was so transported that I threw myself on the floor, she did the same, both bursting into tears of admiration and gratimd; and the whole company, composed of aba t twelve or fifteen most respectable persous d d the same. All those that were present at the nr .- ment of her receiving the holy communion, a: d those that were acquainted with the horrid mar- tyrdom which she suffered during six years, .0- lemnly declare, that they consider her miraculous restoration like unto, and equal to the resuscita- tion of Lazarus from the grave, and that to res- tore such a diseased, corrupted, and corroded frame, to a perfect state of health, required noth- ing less than the same creative power which had made her at first,'
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Amusements-Washington.
IN WASHINGTON
There are two public free schools, within the City, one in the Eastern, and another in the Western section. The funds set apart for their support, from the proceeds of lotteries, &c., are now sufficient, without costing the Corporation any thing further. About 400 children are annu- ally admitted and educated, without charge to their parents or guardians.
There are also a great many well conducted schools in Washington, where the usual branches of education are taught, as well as the dead languages, the modern languages, and the mathematics. The veteran instructor John McLeod, Mr. Hughes, Mr. Caden. Mr. Thompson, Mr. Wheat and Mr. Jewett, are among the principal and most indefa- tigable teachers of youth. Schools for young la- dies are also established in various parts of the city.
AMUSEMENTS
The Theatre is a snug, comfortable building, capable of holding an audience of 600 persons; in appearance, exterior and interior, plain neat and substantial.
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Washington-Mechanic Arts.
The Circus is more commodious but in a rough state, where an audience of 7 or 800 may find room; It is presumed the enterprising proprietors of these establishments will soon make additional improvements. Both companies make a flying visit or two, during the year, as convenience or interest dictates.
Assembly Rooms have, by Mr. Carusi, been erected on the site of the old theatre, and the walls left standingafter the conflagration, are now part of a handsome establishment for balls, exhi- bitions, &c. For size and convenience they are probably not surpassed in any of the Atlantic ci- ties. Lectures, balls, &c., are also often given in the new Masonic Hall, a handsome looking edifice, near the City Hall, but very lately erected.
In the Stores, and particularly on the Penn- sylvania avenue, there is a vast variety well supplied, containing every description of dry goods, groceries, hardware, china, glass, drugs, millinery, confectionery, fruit, clothing, hats, shoes, boots, books, stationery, leather, chairs, plate, jewellery, and in short, every article of ne- cessity or ornament.
The Mechanic Arts .- The printing business, by the agency of steam and hand labour alone, cinploys during the winter season about 509
CAE SI M
7
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Washington-Mechanic Arts, S.c.
hands; bookbinding, engraving, cabinet making, tobacconists, hatting, saddlery, shoe and boot making, tailoring, coach-making, black-smiths, gunsmiths, locksmiths, &c., each are respectable in the number of workmen employed.
Not less than eight or nine millions of bricks are made annually, employing nearly 200 hands in the warm weather. Bricklayers, carpenters, painters, glaziers, and in short, every branch connected with the erection of buildings, are ex- tensively engaged in the summer season.
In the Markets,-The supplies of vegetables; fruit, fish, wild fowl, poultry, beef, lamb, pork, &c., is often plentiful and abundant. Every des- cription of country produce is found at the stores ..
259
Georgetown.
GEORGETOWN
Was originally laid out under an act of the co- lonial assembly of Maryland, passed May 15th, 1751. Geo. Gordon and Geo. Beall, proprietors of the land. Eight several additions have since been made, under the names of Beatty and Haw- kins. Beall's first-Peter, Beatty, Threlkeld, ind Deakins'-Threlkeld's -- Beall's second- Deakin's and Baily's-Deakins, Lee, and Caza- nove's-Holmead's.
In 1789, the town was incorporated, Robert Peter, Esq. first Mayor .- The corporation is now known by the name of the Mayor, Recorder, Al- dermen and Common Council of Georgetown, composed as follows-
John Cox, Mayor.
Recorder and President, James Dunlop. Board of . Ilder. . Jen, John Kurtz, Jeremiah W. Bronaugh, Raphael Sennner, Samuel Mckinney and Daniel Bussard. Secretary, John Mountz.
Board of Common Council .- President, William Jewell. Joel Cruttenden, J. Gettys, Clement Cox, Thomas Turaer, Ninian Beall, R. P. Dunlop, Joseph Libby, Bennet Clements, Thomas Corcoran, John Marbury. Clerk, W. A. Rind. Sen. MMessenger to the two Boards, Basil Wood.
Oficers .- Clerk. ex-officio treasurer of the corporation, and clerk of the elections, John Mountz. Tax collector. John Holtzman. Inspector of flour, Arnold Boone. Inspector of salt provisions, John Waters. Inspector and guager of spi- rituous liquors, John Goszłer. Surveyor, William Besserd. Tabacco inspector, George B. Magruder. Wood corders, Nicholas Hedges and Robert Clarke. Weigher of hay, Ignx- tins Newton. Inspectars aud markers of lumber, John Myers
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Georgetown.
and Nathaniel Murden. Market master, Thomas Hyde. Capt. of the watch," Henry B. Roberston. Police officers, Henry Trunnel and John B. Gray. Superintendants of fire engines, John D. Clarke and George W. Haller.
And those appointed by the Mayor. viz.
Wardens-Of the north west ward, Daniel Bussard and J. Pickrell, assistant .- of the south west ward, William Mar- bury and Francis O. Key, assistant .- of the south east ward, William King and William Morgan, assistant .- of the north erst ward, William Morton and Henry C. Matthews, assist- ant .- on party walls, Daniel Bussard and William Marbury. -
" The Watchmen are appointed by the Mayor.
This town is situated on the left bank of the Potomac river, near the head of the tide water and the natural navigation of that river, and is separated by Rock Creek from Washington, with which there is a ready communication at present, by means of two bridges crossing the Creek, at two principal streets of Georgetown, and will shortly be an additional means of communication by a pier, of the width of 160 feet, now con- structing across the mouth of Rock Creek.
The position of the town is remarkably salubri- ous, and it has at all times escaped those summer epidemics that have prevailed some years in the adjacent country. It is handsomely situated on a succession of hills, rising gradually from the River and Creek, to which all its streets incline, so that every considerable rain thoroughly cleanses them of all impurity.
Its population has for some years been station- ary, at about seven thousand five hundred per-
261
Georgetown.
sons, but is now increasing. For some years after the late war, a very active business was transacted in the town, and the improvements during this time were very numerous and orna- mental. Subsequently, and until within the last two or three years, its trade has declined, and improvement been in a great measure sus- pended; within this period, however, there has been a very considerable progressive amendment in trade, and numerous valuable buildings, and other improvements are now in progress, or have been recently completed.
Its principal export trade consists of tobacco, flour, leather, soap, candles, beer, &c.
The annual inspection of tobacco, has recent- ly amounted to 5,000 hogsheads; the inspection of flour to more than 80,000 barrels. There is a considerable foreign trade with Europe, South America and the West Indies.
The Chesapeake and Ohio Canal is to pass through the heart of the town, at the level of thirty-seven feet above the river, and will be let into an extensive basin, forming of Rock Creek by four detached locks, being the highest seaport on the Potomac, and the first reached by the Canal in its descent; its situation is peculiarly favorable for enjoying the trade which will be wafted on that great highway. As a large por-
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Georgetown.
tion of this Canal is expected to be finished and open for navigation during the next season, es- tablishing a ready communication from a rich back country, to the basin at Rock Creek, a considerable spur to the trade and prosperity of the town may be speedily expected.
In the town is an extensive brewery, and several factories. The vicinity of the Town naturally offers peculiar advantages for exten- sive manufactories, the River falling near forty feet in four miles, next above the town; and these advantages may be shortly greatly enhanced, by the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal, now construct- ing, which will extend over this space at an ele- vation of 37 feet above tide water, and of a width of 70 to 80 feet, and depth of 7 feet, and may supply very numerous manufacturing establish- ments with water, without obstruction to the na- vigation. The public institutions and buildings consist of the Roman Catholic College, incorpo- rated by Congress, beautifully situated at the edge of the town, and in a very flourishing con- dition; society of Nuns incorporated by con- gress, under the name of " the Sisters of the Vis- itation," who conduct a very flourishing female academy ; two Roman Catholic churches, two Protestant Episcopalian do. one Presbyterian do. one Methodist do., one associated Methodist do.,
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Georgetown.
and one African do. Two banks incorporated by congress, under the respective names of the Far- mers' and Mechanics' Bank of Georgetown, and the President and Directors of the Union Bank of Georgetown, and immediately above the town is an extensive Cannon Foundry.
The College has been established for 45 years, and not a single death has taken place among the students. The academy under the direction of " the Sisters of the Visitation," has been estab- lished for SO years; only two deaths have taken place among the young ladies: there are at this time 87 young ladies boarders, and 40 young la- dies as day scholars. Within the nunnery en- closure, but detatched from the academy and ap- proached from a different street, there are up- wards of 400 young girls taught gratuitously, about 200 attending daily. At the Lancaster school, there are 100 boys under the direction of Mr. Robert Ould, and about seventy little girls under the direction of Miss Mary W. Cobb. In the Academies of Mrs. Smith, Miss English, and Miss Searle, severally, there is a respectable number of young ladies. The Rev. Mr. Mc- Vean has a very respectable number of young gentlemen: Mr. Cobb the same. Mr. Brigden has a large number of scholars, many of whom are taught gratuitously. "There are several other reg. pectable schools. .
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Georgetown-Assessments.
Assessed valuation of the real and personal property in Georgetown, in 1827, viz:
Real, ... $2,400,000 Personal, . 250,311
Total, $2,680,311
List of the Real Estate, viz: Lots.
Old Georgetown, containing 80 very large lots, making 60 acres; all, or nearly all, improved by buildings, generally of the best description, and not less than 600 houses,
80
46 water lots, mostly improved by large two and three story brick warehouses,
46
Beatty and Hawkins' addition, laid out in 300, generally large lots, 50 of them uncommonly large, containing from 1} acres to 63 acres each, mostly improved im- proved with very good buildings,
300
Beatty and Hawkins' amended addition .- 49 lots, some improved by good houses, but generally not improved Slip between Beatty and flawkins' and Beall's addi- tions,-14 lots, some well improved; also, 2 lots of 3 acres cach, not improved,
49
16
Beall's addition .- 293 large lots. mostly well improved, Also, 13 large lots, all, or nearly all, very well improved Peter, Beatty, Threikeld, and Deakin's addition .- 211 lots, many of them unimproved, but the majority im- proved by small houses,
211
Threlkeld's Square, containing about 30 large building lots, principally improved, but with small houses, Holmead's addition. - 97 lots, mostly unimproved, but some well improved,
97
Also, 2 large squares, containing about 25 building lots, partially improved,
25 4
Also, 4 lots, containing 18} acres, partially improved,
Deakins, Lee, and Casenove's addition, containing 101 lots, 12 of which improved, 101
Deakins and Bayley's addition .- 32 lots, all vacant except two, 32
Total number of lots, . 1297
293 13
30
965
Georgetown.
We cannot ascertain, exactly, the number of houses; but, as many of the lots have from five to ten houses on each, we may reasonably suppose that there are between 11 and 1300 houses, and a population of about 8,000 inhabitants.
The debt due by the Corporation is . $85,793 46
Of this amount, $65,793 46 is on interest.
The means of paying the above debt, are-
The sinking fund, amounting to. ... $9,000 00
Notes of individuals, . 1,576 08
Real estate of the corporation, valued at60,000 00
This property, it is believed would
now bring, with the privileges, $100,000.
Indirect revenue, 10,000 00
There is no probability of its being less than this sum.
Arrearges of direct taxes. 12,500 00 good.
$93,076 08
Which shews that the resources of the Corporation are 'not only equal to meet all demands against it, but will have a sur- plus of $7,282 62.
The annual expense of the Corporation, including interest on the above $65,792 46. will be $13,000. The indirect rev- enue is $10,000, which leaves only $3,000 to be provided for by a direct tax; and 123 cents in the 100 dollars, will more than meet this sum.
The Corporation has the power to levy a tax not exceeding 75 cents in the 100 dollars, which, at this rate, would produce the gross sum of $20,102 32 per annum.
The general assessment was made up to 31 March, 1825, and an additional assessment up to 25th June, 1827. These assessments were made under a law directing a cash valuation by three respectable citizens, under oath. At the time the general or principal assessment was made, property was much depressed, and this, no doubt, had influence on the assessors. We know of some sales recently made at 50 per cent. above the assessed valuation.
JOHN COX, Mivor. JOHN MOUNT'S, C'krk.
18
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Alexandria.
ALEXANDRIAI
Originally called Belhaven, is situated nearly at the head of tide water, on the South corner of the District, seven miles South of Washington, on the right bank of the Potomac, with a highly cultivated and productive back country, in the rear. A trade with the Southern States, West Indies, and Europe, is carried on. The wharves and warchouses are commodious; but Baltimore has had the same withering effect on the com- merce of Alexandria, that New York has exer- cised on its seaboard vicinity. The exportations have fluctuated from nearly a million to less than one fourth of that amount. Flour and tobacco is the great staple, but, next to these, fish and lumber are shipped in considerable quantities. The town is incorporated. It is laid off at right angles, and in this, as well as in other respects, resembles Philadelphia; houses, except a few of the oldest, are generally brick. It is remarka- ble for its natural advantages for commerce, for its fine wharves, &c. The Mechanics' Bank is a favorable specimen of architecture .- It has two Insurance Offices, and four Banks, viz : the Bank of Alexandria, the Bank of Poto- mac, the Farmers' Bank, and the Mechanics'
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Alexandria.
Bank; Churches, 2 Episcopalian, 1 Roman Cath- olic, 2 Methodist, 2 Presbyterian, 1 Quaker, 1 Baptist (lately burnt, now rebuilding,) and 1 African; a valuable and curious Museum, Timo- thy Mountford, Esq. a distinguished virtuoso, manager; 2 principal Hotels, excellent; many other taverns more or less good; a fine public garden, established by Peter Bibby, esq. after- wards a member of the French Institute, at pre- sent conducted by William Yates, esq. It has & Public Library, a Reading Room, and a com- modious Theatre; a Branch of the Colonization Society, a Temperance Society, are established here: there are fine fish, crabs and oysters, excel- lent meats and vegetables, which may be had in abundance in the markets. Alexandria is go- verned somewhat like Washington, by a Mayor, and a Board of Council. The population of the Town and County is-in the town, 8,345, in the county, 1,499.
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Alexandria-Assessment.
Extract of an official communication from the Mayor of . Ilex-
andria, to the Hon. C. F. Mercer, (in Congress ) dated ! Jan. 9, 1823, showing the rate of assessment, &c., for 1827.
" The tax levied for the present year [1828] on real estate is 35 cents on every hundred dollars of the assessed value, though for many years past the average rate of tax has been less than 50 cents. The increase of the present year has been, it is believed, intended to meet some special and ex- traordinary expenditure connected with the late fire.
" We have no census since that taken in 1820 under the authority of the United States; our num- bers at that time, within the town. amounted to 8,545, and within the county to 1,499
Signed, THOMSON F. MASON."
Assessment.
From an examination of the books of the assessments, for the year 1827, filed in the office of the Clerk of the Common Council, it appears that the valuation of the real property in the town of Alexandria made in the Spring of 1827, amounte to two millions five hundred and ninety-three thousand two hundred and fifty dollars.
I. P. THOMPSON, Clerk ..
Alexandria, January 2, 1828.
The Public Debt as far as it can now be ascertained, amounts to fifty eight thousand dollars.
A List of Public Property in the tran of Alexandria, and the rents urising therefrom.
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