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 32
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The enemy from this period, never appeared in force in front of us; they pushed forward their sharp shooters; one of which shot my horse un- der me, who fell dead between two of my guns. 'The enemy, who had been kept in check by our fire for nearly half an hour, now began to out- flank us on the right: our guns were turned that way; he pushed up the hill about two or three hundred, towards the corps of Americans station.
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472
Invasion of Washington.
ed as above described, who, to my great mortifi- cation, made no resistance, giving a fire or two and retired. In this situation we had the whole army of the enemy to contend with. Our ammu- nition was expended, and unfortunately, the dri- vers of my ammunition wagons had gone off in the general panic. At this time I received a severe wound in my thigh; captain Miller was wounded; sailingmaster Warner killed; acting sailingmaster Martin killed; and sailingmaster Martin wounded; but to the honor of my officers and men, as fast as their companions and mess- mates fell at the guns, they were instantly replac- ed from the infantry.
Finding the enemy now completely in our rear, and no means of defence, I gave orders to my officers and men to retire. Three of my officers assisted me to get off a short distance, but the great loss of blood occasioned such a weakness that I was compelled to lie down. I requested, Iny officers to leave me, which they obstinately refused, but upon being ordered they obeyed, one only remained. In a short time I observed a British soldier, and had him called, and directed him to seek an officer; in a few minutes an offi- cer came, and on learning who I was brought General Ross and Admiral Cockburn to me .- Those officers behaved to me with the most mark- ed attention, respect, and politeness had a sur- geon brought, and my wound dressed immediate. ly. After a few minutes' conversation, the gene- ral informed me (after paying me a handsome compliment) that I was paroled, and at liberty to proceed to Washington or Bladensburg; as also Mir, ,
חיר?״י
475
Barney's Letter.
Huffington, who had remained with me, offering me every assistance in his power, giving orders for a litter to be brought, in which I was carried to Bladensburg; captain Wainwright, first cap- tian to admiral Cochranc, remained with me, and behaved to me as if I was a brother. During the stay of the enemy at Bladensburg, I received every marked attention possible from the officers of the navy and army.
My wound is deep, but I flatter myself not dangerous; the ball is not yet extracted. I fond- ly hope a few weeks will restore me to health, and that an exchange will take place, that I may resume my command, or any other that you and the president may think proper to honor me with. Yours respectfully, JOSHUA BARNEY.
By the President of the IJ. States of . Imcrica. . A Proclamation.
Whereas the enemy by a sudden incursion have succeeded in invading the capital of the nation, defended at the moment by troops less numerous than their own, and almost entirely of the militia: during their possession of which, though for a single day only, they wantonly destroyed the public edifices having no relation in their structure to operations of war, nor used at the time for military annoyance; some of these edifices being also costly monuments of taste and of the arts, and oth- ers depositories of the public archives, not only precious to the nation as the memorials of its origin and its early transc- tions, hut interesting to all nations, as contributions to the general stock of historical instruction and political science.
And whereas, advantage has been taken of the logs of a fort, more immediately guarding the neighbouring town of Alexan- diis, to piace the cown within the range of a navat force, too Jong and too much in the habit of abusing its superiority wherever it can be applied, to require, as the alternative of 3 general eondagration, an undisturbed plunder of private pro . perty, which has been executed in a manner peculiarly dis- tressing to the inhabitants who had, inconsiderately, cast them; gelyes upon the justice and generosity of the victor;
454
Invasion of Washington.
And whereas, it now appears, by a direct communication from the British commander on the American station, to be his avowed purpose to employ the force under his direction "in destroying and laying waste such towns and districts upon the coast as may be found assailable;" adding to this declara- tion the insulting pretext that it is in retaliation for a wanton destruction committed by the army of the United States it Upper Canada, when it is notorious, that no destruction has beencommitted, which, notwithstanding the multiplied out- rages previously committed by the enemy, was not unauthor- ised, and promptly shown to be so; and that the United States have been as constant in their endeavors to reclaim the enemy from such outrages, by the contrast of their own example, at they have been ready to terminate, on reasonable conditions, the war itself:
And whereas, these proceedings and declared purpose .. which exhibit a deliberate disregard of the principles of hu - manity, and the rules of civilized warfare, and which must give to the existing war, a character of extended devastation and barbarism, at the very moment of negociations for pesce, invited by the enemy himself, leave no prospect of safety to any thing within the reach of his predatory and incendiary op- erafions, but in manful and universal determination to chas- tise and expel the invader:
Now, therefore, I, James Madison, president of the United States, do issue this my proclamation, exhorting all the good people thereof, to unite their hearts and hands in giving effect to the ample means possessed for that purpose. I enjoin it on all officers, civil and military, to exert themselves in exe- cuting the duties with which they are respectively charged. - And more especially, I require the officers commanding the respective military districts, to be vigilant and alert in provid- ing for the defence thereof; for the more effectual accomplish- ment of which, they are authorised to call to the defence of exposed and threatened places portions of the militia most convenient thereto, whether they be or be not parts of the quotas detached for the service of the United States under re- quisitions of the general government.
On an occasion which appeals so forcibly to the proud feel- ings and patriotic devotion of the American people, none will. forget what they owe to themselves what they owe to their country and the high destinies which await it; what to the glo -- ry acquired by their fathers, in establishing the independence which is now maintained by their sons, with the augmented
Estimate of U. S. and British Forces. 475
strength and resources with which time and Heaven had bless- ed them. Dated, Sept. 1. (Signed) JAMES MADISON.
The United States forces consisted of-
Cavalry .- Cavalry of the United States
140
Maryland Militia Cavalry,. 220
Columbia District Cavalry,.
40
Virginia, Col. Minor's,.
100
Infantry and Marines-
500
36th reg't. 1 bat'n. 38th, 1 com'y. 19th 500
Marines and Seamen, 600
-- 1100
.Militia .- Stansbury's Brigade,
1200
Part of Stricker's, 800
Smith's brigade & Kramer's battalion, 1500
Young's brigade, ..
400
Beall's regiment,.
700
Minor's regiment,
600
Detachments of volunteers and militia,
200
- 5400
Total,
7000
Twenty pieces of field artillery of different calibres.
Loss in killed and wounded-Killed, 10
Wounded, .
30
Total,
.
The British forces consisted of-
Ist brigade, Col. Brooke, 4th regiment or King's own.
44th Regiment.
Ed brigade, Col. Patterson, 21st regiment.
21st Royal Scots, Fusileers.
2d battalion Roval Marines.
Detachment of Marines under Capt. Robin's,
Light brigade, Col. Thornton, 85th regiment. 85th Light Infantry.
4, 21, 44, Light Infantry companies, Maj. Jones, 4th reg't.
One company of Marine Skirmishes under Lt. Stevens.
Colonial Marines under Capt. Read.
The 3 pounder under Capt. Carmicall, Royal Artillery.
[The above list in the shape of " D. O." by Capt. Blanchard was found after the explosion at Greenleaf's Point]
The whole amounting to nearly 4,500.
476
Invasion of Washington
The following estimate of public property destroyed is nearly as accurate as can be ascertained.
The Capitol, from its foundation to its destruc- tion, including original cost, alterations, repairs, &c. -
$787,103 28
334,334 00
The President's house, including all costs, Public offices, treasury, state, war and navy, - 93,613 82
$1,215,111 10
The buildings have been examined by order of a committee of the senate. The walls of the Capitol and President's house are good, and require repairs only. The walls of the public offices are not sufficient. It is sup- posed that the sum of $460,000 will be suf- ficient to place the buildings in the situation they were in previous to their destruction, -
Loss sustained at the Navy Yard, In moveable property,
417,745 51
In buildings and fixtures, -
-
91,425 53
$969,171 01
To this sum must be added the public library, estimated at
An estimate of the expense of rebuilding, in a plain and substantial manner, the navy yard, so as to carry on all the public works with as much advantage and convenience as pre- vious to its destruction, .
62,370 00
Private property destroyed ..
Mr. Sewall's house on the Capitol Hill.
Hotel belonging to Mr. Carrol, do.
Gen. Washington's house, do.
Mr. Prost's house, do.
Several other houses were plundered by the soldiers and sailors.
.
460,000 00
457
Capture of Alexandria.
THE CAPTURE OF ALEXANDRIA.
in relation to the conduct of the corporation of Alexandria, and its capture by the enemy in his recent enterprise, the committee were fur- nished with various documents: but in justice to the town and to the public, a brief retrospect may not be deemed improper, as connecting cer. tain events with the surrender of the town on the 29th of August. - October, 1812, a volunteer company was raised in Alexandria, amounting to about 70, including officers; cloathed by vol- untary aid and donation from the citizens of Alexandria; intended for the lines, but stationed at fort Washington: remained in garrison till December: ordered to Annapolis, and there dis- charged, March, 1813, capt. Marstellar's com- pany of artillery stationed at fort Washington for upwards of three months. 21st of March, 1813, corporation, by committee, called on the secreta- ry of war for arms, &c for the defence of Alex- andria. 8th of May, corporation, by committee. waited upon the president to apprize him of the defenceless state of the town; president acknow- ledged that attention was due to the representa- tions of respectable men, and the proper attention should be given, at the same time apprized the committee of the impossibility, in the nature of things, to give complete protection to every as- sailable point of the country. 11th of May, committee of vigilance appointed to co-operate with the committee of Georgetown and city of Washington: a deputation from the three com-
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478
Capture of Alexandria.
mittees waited upon general Armstrong, and represented the necessity of additional fortifica. tions at fort Washington: colonel Wadsworth was ordered to attend the committee, examine and report upon their suggestions. The exami- nation was made, and colonel Wadsworth re- ported that the battery at fort Washington was in such a state, and it so effectually commanded the channel of the Potomac, that it was not to be apprehended that the enemy would attempt to pass it while its present defences remain entire. Its elevated situation should prevent dread of a cannonading from ships; that in case of designs against the district of Columbia, an assault by land was most probable; to guard against this some inconsiderable work on the land was recom- mended; an additional fort in the same neighbor- hood was considered unnecessary. On the 5th and 13th of August, 1814, the corporation loaned to the United States 35,000 dollars, upon condition. that it should be expended south of Alexandria. After the defeat of general Winder at Bladens- burg, the corporation by committee waited upon the British commander at this city, to know what treatment was to be expected, provided Alexan- dria should fall into his hands. Admiral Cock- burn assured the deputation that private property would be respected; that probably some fresh provisions and flour might be wanted, but they should be paid for. Without firing a gun, on the 27th, fort Washington was blown up and aban- doned by the commanding officer, captain Dyson. who has been dismissed from the service of the United States by a sentence of a court martial, in consequence of it,
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479
Capture of Alexandria.
On the 28th, after the enemy's squadron pass- ed the fort, the corporation, by deputation, pro- ceeded to the ship commanded by captain Gordon- who commanded, and requested to know his in- tentions in regard to Alexandria, which he pro- posed to communicate when he should come opposite the town, but promised that the persons, houses and furniture of the citizens should be unmolested if he met with no opposition. Next day, the 29th, the British squadron was drawn up in line of battle so as to command the whole town. There were two frigates, the Seahorse, 38 guns, Euryalus, 36 guns, 2 rocket ships of 18 guns each, 2 bomb ships of 8 guns each, and a schooner of 2 guns arranged along the town. -- 'The committee will not attempt to condense the correspondence and terms of surrender, but refer to it as a part of the report. One hour was allowed the corporation to decide. It wasstated to the British officer that the common council had no power to compel the return of inerchan- dise carried to the country, nor to compel the citizens to aid in raising the sunken vessels; these two points were yielded by the enemy. The en- emy was requested to explain what was included in the term merchandise which was to be taken, and in answer it was stated that it would embrace such as was intended for exportation, such as to- bacco, cotton, flour, bale goods, &c. The plun- der of the enemy was indiscriminate and not confined to any particular class of individuals, and included alike non-residents and inhabitants. 'The plunder of the enemy was confined princi- pally to flour, cotton and tobacco.
£
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480
Capture of Alexandria.
About ten oclock in the morning of the 29th, captain Gordon sent to the mayor the following terms:
His Majesty's ship Sea Horse, Off Alexandria, 29th August, 1814.
GENTLEMEN-In consequence of a deputation yesterday re- ceived from the city of Alexandria, requesting favorable terms for the safety of the city, the undermentioned are the only con- ditions in my power to offer.
The town of Alexandria, with the exception of public works, shall not be destroyed, unless hostilities are commenced on the part of the Americans, nor shall the inhabitants be molested in any manner whatever, or their dwelling houses entered, if the following articles are complied with:
Art. 1. All naval and ordnance stores, public or private, must be immediately delivered up.
2. Possession will be immediately taken of all the shipping, and their furniture must be sent on board by the owners with- out delay.
3. The vessels that have been sunk must be delivered up in the state they were, on the 19th 'of August, the day of the squadron passing the Kettle Bottoms.
4. Merchandize of every description must be instantly de- livered .: p, and to prevent any irregularity, that might be com- mitted in its embarkation, the merchants have it at their option to load the vessels generally employed for that purpose, wheu they shall be towed off by us.
5. All merchandize that has been removed from Alexandria, since the 19th iust. is to be included in the above articles.
2. 6. Refreshments of every description to be supplied the ships, and paid for at the market price, by bills on the British gov- ernment.
7. Officers will be appointed to see that articles No. 2, 3, 4 and 5, are strictly complied with, and any deviation on non- compliance, on the part of the inhabitants of Alexandria, will render this treaty null and void. I have the honor to be, &e JAMES A. GORDON.
Captian of H. M. shop Sea Horse,
and senior officer of H &M. ships off Alexandria To the Common Counud of the town of Alexandria.
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481
Capture of Alexandria.
The common council were obliged to yield submission to these terms, and did thereupon pass and publish the following resolution :
" Resolved, That the common council of Alexandria in ag- senting to the conditions offered by the commander of the British squa Iron now off the town, has acted from the impulse of irresistible necessity, and solely from a regard to the wel- fare of the town; that it considers the assent by it given as only formal, inasmuch as the enemy had it already in their power to enforce a compliance with their demand by a seizure of the property required from us; and believing the safety of the persons of the inhabitants, of their dwellings, and of such property as is not comprehended within the requisition, to depend entirely on the observanec of the terms of it, the com- mon council recommends to the inhabitants an acquiescence, at the same time it does expressly disclaim the power of doing any act on its part, to enforce compliance, its authority in this particular being limited to recommendation only."
In the execution of the terms imposed by the enemy, it is proper to state, that the verbal ex- planations made by the officer to the mayor, were generally adhered to. No merchandise was re- quired to be brought back to the town; no as- sistance was required of, or offered by the citi- zens in getting up the sunken vessels. The depredations of the enemy, with a few exceptions, were confined to flour, cotton, and tobacco, which they carried off in some of the vessels then at the town; only one vessel was burnt; no pri- vate dwelling was visited or entered in a rude or hostile manner, nor were citizens personally ex- posed to insult.
On the 29th of August, the British squadron commenced taking off' from the warehouses the flour and tobacco. They continued until Friday morning, the 2d of September, when the last loaded vessel was sent down the river. The
482
Capture of Alexandria.
post office in Alexandria had, during the time the fieet lay opposite the town, been removed into the country some miles. On Friday, the 2d of September, the postmaster found in the letter box of the house which had been used as the post office, the following letter, to wit:
" Iphigenia, 28th August, 1814.
"The object of the expedition being accomplished, and the inhabitants of the country, upon the banks of the Potomac, being alarmed for their property, on account of the presence of the British squadron on that river, the commander-in-chief has directed me to forward openly, by the hands of one of the inhabitants, this order, for the ships in the Potomac to retire and rejoin his flag.
EDWD. CODRINGTON, Rear admiral, and captain of the fleet." 'This letter is directed as follows:
"On H. B. M. service, to the commanding officer of Hf. B. M. ships in the river Potomac."
Estimate of the loss: 3 ships, 3 brigs, several bay and river craft, some vessels burnt, 16,000 barrels flour taken, 1,000 hogsheads of tobacco,. 150 bales cotton, 5,000 dollars worth of wines, sugar, &c.
[NOTE .- The preceding accounts were, as sta- ted at page 450, compiled from public documents, by which it appears there is a great discrepancy, in relation to the numerical force of the contend- ing armies, American as well as British; and that Mr. Madison's proclamation, on this point, is at variance with the official report of Congress. The compiler has put the reader in possession of all the material facts of the narrative, and left him to form his own conclusions as to their accu- racy.]
1
483
Improving Pennsylvania Avenue.
PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE AND PUBLIC LOTS.
Extracts from a Report of the Committee for the District of
Columbia, "inquiring into the expediency of making pro- vision by act of Congress, or othervise, for the repair and improvement of the street in Washington City, called the Pennsylvania .Avenue, from the President's House to the Capitol, on the MMc. Idum plan or other permanent manner." February 10. 1830.
'That your committee, upon due consideration of the subject referred to them, have come to the conclusion, that it is just and expedient for Congress to provide by law for the repair and improvement of said street in a permanent manner. This rs deemed necessary, not merely for the convenience of the citizens of the District of Columbia, but for members of Con- gress, the various and numerous officers of the General Gov- ernment residing in this District, and the citizens of the States who may have business to transact with Congress and those officers.
It will be observed that the Capitol, in which both houses of Congress and all its committees, and the Supreme Court of the United States, hold their sessions, and which contains all their archives and records, and also the public library, is near- ly a mile and three quarters from the President's House, con- tiguous to which are all the Executive Departments of the Government, except that of the General Post Office, which is nearly central between those points. Hence will be seen, at a glance, the great extent of intercourse which becomes indis pensable between these points, by such persons as are direct" Is or indirectly connected with the Government: and also- the importance of a convenient and safe road of communica, tion. It is scarcely necessary to add, that, at certain season- of the year, the present communication is neither conveniens or safe.
Your committee, after having taken as much pains as other duties would allow, to ascertain the best mode of improving said Avenue, have thought proper to recommend, that the centre thereof, between the two middle rows of trees, which are forty-five feet distant from each other, be either paved with sizeable round stone iu a superior manner, or that a road of the same width be constructed of pounded stone upon the Mc Adam plan.
It would be desirable that the distance of thirty-four and an half feet, between the proposed improvement and the skle
31
484
Sale of Public Lots,
walks, should be covered at least six inches deep, with clean coarse gravel, and that there should be suitable drains and passages for carriages, from the gravel way on the side, to the centre of the Avenue. The gravel way thus made would form an excellent road at all times, when not affected by frosts or extreme wet weather; and then, the centre could be resorted to, as well for the convenience of travelling, as the protection of the gravel way, from being cut up when exposed to the ac- tion of rain and frost. But inasmuch as the cost of improving the centre of the street, will be very considerable, your com- mittee do not recommend that any thing should be done at this time, with the side ways, except so far as their improve- meht will be necessarily connected with the proposed improve- ment of the centre.
The distance from the Navy Office to the East front of the Capitol, (including the circular roads around it) is three thon- sand nine hundred and nine yards, which makes the whole area proposed to be improved, 58,635 square yards; this at 7C cents per yard, will amount to $42,208 20 It is estimated that the expense of preparing the ground will amount to 5,863 50
Making in the whole $48,171 70 and your committee recommend an appropriation of that sum.
Believing that there has been some misapprehension in the public mind, in regard to the amount of Government expen- ditures for the benefit of this District, compared with the a- mount of moneys received for the sales of land therein, her- ond their cost, and the value of lands still unsold, your com- mittee have thought proper to procure a statement of facts re- lating to this subject, which is hereto annexed.
From this statement it appears that there has already beer. received, from the sale of public lands in the District, beyond the cost of all the lands purchased by the Government, the sum of $696,618 68. That the estimated cash value of lands still unsold amounts to $1,091,174 02, making in the whole $1,787,792 77.
All the appropriations of money by Congress for the benefit of this District, independent of public buildings for the Gene- ral Government, amount to $186,800 48; of this sum has been appropriated for a Penitentiary, a Court House, and Jails, $144,205 79. There are many other considerations which might be presented, to show that the General Government ought to exercise a liberal spirit towards this District.
Cost of Public Buildings. 485
CAPITOL, U. S. Feb. 6, 1830.
' SIn: In reply to your inquiries, I have the honor to state, that the public grounds in the city of Washington consist of two descriptions: Firstly, building lots, assigned to the United States, upon a division with the original proprietors, agreeably to the terms and conditions of the deeds of trust, by which the proprietors of the soil, within the limits of the city, ceded to the United States one moiety of the building lots, without any pecuniary equivalent. Secondly, " Reservations" of entire squares, or larger sections of grounds, reserved for the use of the United States, but for which the proprietors received pay- ment at the rate of 66 2 3 dollars per sere. The number of building fots assigned to the United States, was 10,136, of which number 6,852 have been sold for the sum of $732,717 68 cents, leaving 3,28+ for sale; which, if estimated at the sainc rate, would amount to $351,174 9, making together, a sum total of $1,083,891 77 for building lots. The reservations con- stained the quantity of 541 acres 1 rod 29 perches. In a report made to Congress, by the Secretary of the Treasury, in 1816, this property is estimated at $740,000, and if the cost of the ground, say $36,099, be deducted, it leaves for the nett value of the reservations, .. $ 703,900 00
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