USA > Virginia > Historical collections of Virginia : containing a collection of the most interesting facts, traditions, biographical sketches, anecdotes, &c. relating to its history and antiquities ; together with geographical and statistical descriptions ; to which is appended, an historical and descriptive sketch of the District of Columbia. > Part 83
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The President's house, a mile and a half Nw. from the Capitol, is an elegant edifice of freestone, 2 stories high, with a lofty base. ment. and is 170 feet long, and so wide, the v. front of which is ornamented with a fine portico of + lofty Ionic columns, projecting with 3 columns. The outer intercolumniation is for carriages to drive under, to place company under shelter. It stands in the cen- tre of a plat of ground of 20 acres, beautifully laid out and bighly
WASHINGTON, , s'il is seen from the Presidents House looking down Pennsylvania Avenue towards the Capital in the distance
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ornamented. It is elevated 44 feet above tide-water, and the southern front presents a grand and beautiful prospect. The apart- ments within are admirably fitted to their purpose, and splendidly
U. S. Treasury, Washington.
furnished, On the E. side of the President's house are two large buildings, and on the w. side two large buildings for the depart- ments of State, of the Treasury, of War, and of the Navy. The General Post-Office and the Patent-Office are also extensive build-
The General Post-Office, Washington.
ings. These, with the new Treasury building, have been recently erected, to supply the place of those which were burned a few years since. The new Treasury building contains !50 rooms, and when completed, will contain 250. It has a splendid colonnade, 457 feet in length. The General Post-Office contains about 80
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rooms, and is of the Corinthian order, with columns and pilasters, on a rustic base. The Patent-Office, in addition to other spacious apartments, has one room in the upper story 275 feet by 65, and when completed by wings, according to the original design, will
TEY 1
The Patent-Office, Washington.
be upwards of 400 feet in length. It is considered one of the most splendid rooms in America, and is devoted to the grand and in- creasing collections of the national institution. The portico of this building is of the same extent as that of the Parthenon, at Athens, consisting of 16 columns, in double rows, 50 feet high. In the war-office was formerly kept the fine collection of Indian por- traits, painted from the original heads by King. These valuable pictures are now in the custody, and adorn the collections of the national institution, in the patent-office.
The Navy Yard is on the Eastern branch, about three-fourths of a mile se. of the Capitol, and contains 27 acres. It has houses for the officers, and shops and warehouses, and 2 large ship-houses, a neat armory, and every kind of navai stores. Several ships of war, some of which were of the largest class, have been built at this yard. There are also in the city an Arsenal, a City Hall, an Hospital, a Penitentiary, a Theatre, &c.
Washington is separated from Georgetown by Rock creek, over which are 2 bridges. A substantial pile bridge, over a mile in length, crosses the Potomac, and leads to Alexandria. There is a bridge, also, over the Anacostia, or Eastern branch. This river has water of sufficient depth for frigates to ascend to the navy yard, without being lightened. Vessels requiring 14 feet of water can come up to the Potomac bridge. By means of the Chesapeake . and Ohio caval, a communication is opened with a rich back coun- try; and it may be expected that the commerce of Washington will increase. The Washington canal is a continuation ci this canal through the city. It extends from the Chesapeake and Ohio
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canal, at 17th street, west, to which it is connected by a lock at that street, to the Eastern branch. The canal and all the basins are walled with stone on both sides. From 17th to 14th street, is a spacious basin, 500 feet wide : from 14th to 6th street, where there is another ample basin, its width is 150 feet ; and from 6th street to its termination in the Eastern branch. its width varies from 45 to 80 feet ; and its depth is 4 feet below tide throughout. At its eastern termination is another spacious basin and wharf, which extends to the channel. This canal has been greatly neglected. and is much out of repair. The expense of this canal has been over $230,000.
There were in the city in 1840, 106 stores, cap. 8926,040 ; 6 lum- ber yards, cap. 857,000; precious metals manufactured to the amount of $13,000; various other metals $17,300; 2 tanneries, cap. $2,000 ; 1 brewery, cap. $63,000 ; 2 potteries, cap. $3,250 ; 1 ropewalk, 1 grist m., 11 printing offices, 9 binderies, 3 daily, 5 weekly, 5 semi-weekly newspapers, and 3 periodicals, cap. 8149,500 ; 30 brick and stone, and 23 wooden houses built, cost $86,910. To- tal cap. in manufac. 8336,275.
The Columbian College was incorporated by an act of Congress in 1821. It is delightfully situated on elevated ground N. of the President's house, about two and a half miles from the Capitol. The buildings are a college edifice, 5 stories high, including the basement and the attic, having 48 rooms for students, with 2 dor- mitories attached to each, 2 dwelling-houses for professors, and a philosophical hall, all of brick. It has a medical department at- tached. The Medical College is situated at the corner of 10th and E streets, at equal distances from the Capitol and the President's house. In the several departments are a president, 10 professors, and in the college proper, about 25 students. There are about 4.200 books in its libraries. The commencement is on the first Wednesday of October. The whole number of alumni is 97. I: is under the direction of the Baptists.
There were in the city in 1840, 12 academies, with 609 students. 9 primary and common schools, with 380 scholars.
The National Institution for the Promotion of Science, was or- ganized in May, 1840. The President of the United States is patron ; the heads of' departments constitute 6 directors on the part of the government, and 6 literary and scientific gentlemen are di- rectors on the part of the institution. Its stated monthly meetings are held in the patent-office building. Hs collections are deposited in the grand ball of this building. 275 feet long, and 65 feet wide. and constitute a rapidly increasing scientific museum. The United States exploring expedition has added largely to its curiosities. The Historical Society and the Columbian Institute have united with it, with their libraries and collections. They have a valuable mineralogical cabinet. It is proposed to bring out regulares vi- umes of transactions. If properly fostered, it may beconie au honor to the nation. The Union Literary Society has been in exist-
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ence for many years, and holds a weekly discussion in the lecture room of the medical college, and is well attended. Sectarian re- ligion and party politics are excluded from its discussions. The City Library contains about 6,000 volumes.
The city contains 25 places of worship, of which the Presby- terians have 4, the Episcopalians 5, the Baptists 3, the Methodisis 3, Protestant do. 1, Roman Catholics 3. the Africans 2, and the Unitarians and Friends 1 each and the Luthrans 2.
There are 2 orphan asylums. There are 3 banks, with an ag- gregate capital of 81,500.000; and 2 insurance companies, with an aggregate capital of $450,000.
This city was fixed on as the future seat of the government in accordance with the suggestion of the great man whose name it bears, and the ground on which it stands was ceded to the United States in December, 1788. The owners of the land gave one half of it, after deducting streets and public squares, to the United States to defray the expenses of the public buildings. Such grounds as should be wanted by the United States was to be paid for at the rate of $66 06 cents per acre. It was laid out by ? commissioners, in 1791, and surveyed under the direction of An- drew Ellicot. The seat of the federal government was removed to this place in 1800. The north wing of the Capitol was com- menced in 1793, and finished in 1800, at an expense of 8480.202. The south wing was commenced in 1803, and finished in Iso8, at au expense of 8308,808. The centre building was commenced in 1818, and finished iu 1827, at an expense of $957,647. In August, 1814, Washington was captured by the British, under Gen. Ross, who set fire to the Capitol, the President's house, and the public offices, with the exception of the patent-office, which was saved by the solicitation of its superintendent. The library of Congress was burned, and was afterwards replaced by the purchase of that of Mr. Jefferson, consisting of 7,000 volumes, for $23,000, ir 1815.
The congressional burial-ground is in the eastern section of Washington, about a mile and a half from the Capitol, and con- tains about 10 acres of ground, near the Eastern branch. The grounds are tastefully laid out and neatly kept. It has already received a number of distinguished men, and has some fine monu- ments, and a vault in which bodies are placed that are awaiting a removal.
The following are inscriptions from monuments in this yard. Those in columns are members of Congress, and include those interred up to the year 1841 :
Sacred to the memory of PHILIP PENDLETON PARAOUR, associate-justice of the Supreme Court of the I'nited States, who was born in Orange county, Virginia, on the 25th of May, 1783, intermarried with Frances Todd Johnson, on the 4th of October, 1804, and died at Washington city on the 24th of Fecru ary, 1811.
"has monument is created by andder of his majesty Fredemet Wideand If king of Prussia, to the Best ory of his resident minister in the United States, the Chevalier FREDERICK GRACHM, who de parted ih:$ life on the Ist of December, 1823, in the 53d year of his age.
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.
541
Sacred to the memory of Gen. JACOB BROWN. He was born in Bucks co., Pennsylvania, co the 9th of May, 1775, and died at the city of Washington, commanding general of the army, Jat the 24th of February, 1828,
Let him who e'er in after days Shall view this monument of praise, For honor heave the patriot sigh, And for his country learn to die.
JOSEPH LOVELL, late surgeon-general of the army of the United States, born in Boston, Massachu setts, Dec. 22, 1783 ; died in the city of Washington, October 17, 1836,
PUSH-MA-TA-HA, & Choctaw chief, lies here. This monument to his memory is erected by his brother chiefs, who were associated with him in a delegation from their nation, in the year 1824, to the general government of the United States. He died in Washington, on the 24th of December, 1824, of the croup, in the 60th year of his age. Push-ma-ta-ba was a warrior of great distinction. He was wiso in coun- cil, eloquent in an extraordinary degres, and on all occasions, and under all circumstances the white man's friend. Among his last words were the following : " When I am gone let the big guns be fired over me."
Beneath this monument rest the mortal remains of HUGH GEORGE CAMPBELL, late a captain in the navy of the United States. He was a native of the state of South Carolina. In the year 1775, he en- tered as a volunteer on board the first vessel of war commissioned by the council of his native state. He served his country upwards of 22 years as a commander, and died in this city on the 11th day cf November, 1820, aged about 60 years.
Here lie the remains of TOBIAS LEAR. He was early distinguished as the private secretary and familiar friend of the illustrious Washington ; and after having served his country with dignity, zeal, and fidelity, in many honorable stations, died accountant of the war department, 11th October, 1816, aged 54. His deenlate within and mourning som have erected this monument to mark the place of his abode in the city of silence.
Name. Where from. Date of dec. Age. N. J., Jan. 28, 1808, 38.
Name. Where from. Date of are. Age. Rich'd J. Manning, rep. S. C., May 1, 1830. Zalmon Wildman, rep. Ct., Dec. 10, 1-35, 60.
Uriah Tracy, sen.
Conn., July 19, 1807, 52.
Francis Malbone, sen.
R. I., June 4, 1:09. 50.
Flas K. Kane, sen. Ili.,
Decor 1933.
Thomas Blount, rep.
N. C., Feb. 7, 1812. 52.
Md., R. W. Habersham, rep. Ga., Dec. 2, 1:42. 67. Dec. 2, 1842.
Richard Stanford, rep. George Mamtord, rep. David Walker, top. Ky., R. I.,
N. C., April 9, 1216, 48. Dec. 31, Inlò. March 1, 1820. Dec. 17, 1820, 47.
Jas. W. Williams, rep. Alb. G. Harrison, rep. Wm. Lowndes, rep. Wm. W. Porter, rep. Davis Dimock, Jr., rep. 66 Nathan F. Dixon, sen. Sum'l L. Southard, sen. N. J., Joseph Lawrence, rep. Wm. S. Kamsey, rep. Lewis WViliams. rep. Charles Ogle, rep. Henry Bbek, rep. .. John Coffee, rep. Benj. F. Deming, rep.
Mo., S. C., Pa.,
Sept. 7. 1:30, 38. Dec. 12, 1-22. 47, Oct. 29, 1:34, 47.
Nathaniel Hazard, rep.
Jesse Slocumb, rep- N. C., Dec. 20, 1820, 40.
James Burrill, Jr., sen. R. I., Dec. 26, 18:0, 48.
Wm. A. Trimble, sen. O., Dec. 12, 1821, 35. Feb. 25, 1822, 58.
Pa., April 17. Je, EL Oct. 13, 1884, 24. Feb. 23, 1M.
Wni. L. Bad, rep. John Gaillard, sen. S. C., Feb. 26, 1826, 60.
Mar. 14, 1826, 38.
April 17, 1830.
Ga., VL., Pa.,
1634.
Md., June 23, 1832.
Jan. 1,
S. C., Va ..
Nov. 19. 1639, 50.
Feb, IG,
N. Y.,
Feb. 11, 1834, 53.
April 1, 183-4.
April 14, 1834, 50. 41.
April,
June 4,
ir 13. 1793, 49. 1:30.
Feb. 24, 1838.
April 1, 1838.
March 14, 1830.
Ia., Nov.,
Dec., 1833.
July 23, Jord, 49.
June 13, 1.00.
Dec. 4. 1828.
May 8, 1828, 42.
March 1, 1809.
Jan. 10, 1305.
March 19, 1837, 71.
Thaddeus Beits, sen. Nathan Bryan, rep. David Dickson, rep. Robert P. Henry, rep. Gec. L Kinnard, rep. James Johnson, rep. Herr Nilsen, rep. Wmn. S Hastings, sep Sim. H. Anderson, rep. Anson Brown. rep. Jas. C. Alvord, rep. John Sinilie, rep. John Dawson, rep.
Va .. Pa., N. J.,
Jan. 19, April 15. Feb. 81.
1908.
Warren R. Unvis, rep. Nathan Smith, sen. Jonathan Cilley, rep. Me., Isaac Mckim, rep. Md.,
Va., S. C., Md., S. C., Conn.,
Feb. 3. 1807, 54.
Md., March 8, 1/04.
Alexander Smyth, rep. James Noble, sen: Chas, C. Johnion, rep. Jonathan Hunt, rep. Geo. E. Mitchell, rep. James Jones, rep. Levi Casey, rep. Philip Duddridge, rep. James Lent, rep. 'Thos. T. Bouldin, rep. James Blair, rep. Lite'n P Doonnis, rep.
Chris. Rankin, rep. Miss., Va., Ia., Va., May 15, 1832.
Win. Pinkney, sen. Md., Va., Feb. 29. 1824, 43.
N. C., Pa., May 10, 1841, 43. Nov. 28, 1841, 59. 1-36. ic34.
Feb. 26, 1831, 48. 37. N. C .. Henry Wiisou, rep. Charles Slade, rep. Gabriel Holmes, rep. Thomas Hartley, rep. Daniel Hiester, rep. W. A. Hurweil, rep. Feb. 2%, 1833, 50. Patrick Farrell, rep. John Linn, rep. J. Crowninshield, rep. Mass., P. Goodwin, rep.
CL, N. C., Miss., Ky.,
Timothy J Curler, rep. Th. D. Singleton, rep. S. C., Hedge The Apron mop. N. J .. Thodonck Plant, wap. Va., George Builcomh, sop. N. J., Joab Lawler, rep. Alu .. Nais'thy Hunter, del. Miss., James Gillespie, rep. N. C. Teremleb MeLene, rep. O.,
Ky., Pa .. Masz . . June 17, Ang. 11 Ky., N. Y., Dass., June 14. Sept. - 20, Dec. 30. 1912. 71 March 13, 1914, 58.
7840, 38. 1-40, 40. 3520. 31.
The coma of FABRIDGE Cerkv, Vice-Pieddont of the United states, who died suddenly in this city. on his way to the capitol as president of the senate, Nowendher S feld, aged 70; tax itur? lo own relatable legten " it is the duty of every duizend though be may have botones dev drive, to davate thes day to the good of his country."
(46)
--
... .
Ezra Darby, rep.
Elijah Pr.cham. rep. MASS., Feb. 22, 1816. 64.
Jan, 13, 1×42, 38
R. I., Jan, 29, 7-42. 37. June 25, 1-42. 55
G&., Jan. 11, 1:u1, 32.
Dec. 6, 1835.
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DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.
To the memory of GEORGE CLINTON. He was born in the state of New York, on the 20th July, 1:59, and died at the city of Washington on the 20th April, 1811, in the 73d year of his age. He was a Sommer and statesman of the revolution. Eminent in council, distinguished in war, he filled with unexampled usefulness, purity, and ability, among many other high offices, those of governor of his native state, and Vice President of the United States. While he lived, his virtue, wisdom, and valor, were the pride, the ornament, and security of his country ; and when he died, he left an illustrious example of a well-spe it life, worthy of all inutation.
Georgetown is in Washington county, on the NE. bank of the Potomac, 2 miles from Washington city. from which it is separated by Rock creek, over which are two bridges. It was originally laid out under an act of the colonial assembly of Maryland, passed May 15th, 1751. In 1789, the town was incorporated.
The situation is pleasant, commanding a fine view of the Poto- mac River, the city of Washington, and of the adjacent country ; and it contains many elegant buildings and country seats. It has 4 banks. a market-house. 7 churches-2 Episcopal, 2 Methodist, 1 Presbyterian, 1 Roman Catholic, and I colored Methodist-and a Roman Catholic college, with 2 spacious brick edificos, finely situ- ated, founded in 1789, which has a president and 16 professors. or other instructors, 90 alumni, 135 students, and 22,000 volumes in its libraries. The commencement is near the last of July. It was authorized by Congress, in 1815, to conter degrees. There is also a nunnery, called the Convent of Visitation, founded ia 1798, which contains from 50 to 70 nuns, attached to which is a farce female academy, which generally contains 100 young ladies, in- structed by the nuns. The Chesapeake and Chio canal com- mences at this place, which is designed to be extended to the Oito River, and which has been recently continued to Alexandrie. The. aqueduct which connects the canal with Alexandria is a most stu- pendous work. The piers, nine in number, are built of granite, and imbedded 17 feet in the bottom of the river, with a foundation upon solid rock, so as to withstand the shock of the spring ice, which, rush- ing furiously from the stormy regions of the fails and narrows aboy, passes with almost resistless force against the bridges of the Potc- mac, sweeping every thing before it. These piers, built in the most masterly manner, will bear up against any force that may be brought against them. There were in 1840, 7 commercial and 2 commission houses, capital 8310,000 ; 23 retail stores, capital $247.400 ; 2 lumber yards, capital $20,000; 2 tanneries I print ing-office. I semi-weekly newspaper, I flouring-mill, pro front. 10,500 barrels annually ; I saw-mill. Capital in manufe. 817 1,200. Six academies, 484 students ; 9 schools, 435 scholars. Pop. it. 1810, 4,948: 1820, 7,360 ; 1830, 8,441 ; 1840, 7,312. Tonnage of the port, 9,964.
Alexandria, originally called Belhaven, is on the western bank of the Potomac, near the head of tide-water, 6 miles south of Washington. The town lies principally in the District of Colum- bia, but a small part of it is in Virginia. It was incorporated it 1770. by the state of Virginia, and that part of it within ho Dis- trict ceded to the general government in 1801. The laws of Vir- ginia, previously ceded, remain in force in the town and county.
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DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.
Alexandria is very handsomely situated. The streets are laid out on the plan of Philadelphia, crossing each other at night an- gles, and are generally well paved. It is considered remarkably healthy, and the view from the city is very fine. The town is situated in the bottom of a valley, which to the eye of an observer is terminated in every direction by lofty and verdant hills. To the north he sees the city of Washington, --- the capitol with its beau- tiful columns, white walls, and towering dome, forming a most conspicuous object ; to the south, the broad translucent expanse of the Potomac opens upon him, with Fort Washington, lying like a white line on its distant margin, opposite to Mount Vernon.
The river opposite to the town is a mile in breadth, and varies from 34 to 52 feet in depth, in the ship channel, which here washes the shore, -- of course the harbor is naturally very fine, and it has been much improved by the erection of large and commodious wharves.
The population in 1800, was 4,196; in 1810, 7,227; in 1820, 8,218 ; in 1840, 8,459. The public buildings are a court-house, and 10 churches -- 2 Presbyterian, 2 Episcopal, 2 Methodist, 1 Bap- tist, 1 Friends, 1 colored Methodist, and I Roman Catholic. The city has considerable shipping, and exports wheat, Indian corn, and tobacco, to a considerable amount. The tonnage of the port in 1840, was 14,470. The Chesapeake and Ohio conal extents to this place, and may be expected to add to its prosperity. It has 2 banks, with an aggregate capital of 81,000,000 ; and I fire, and 1 marine insurance company. It is governed by a mayor, and a common council of 16 members.
About three miles from Alexandria, in Fairfax county, is the Virginia Theological Seminary, an institution founded in 1599. br the Protestant Episcopal Church of the diocese of Virginia. The bishop of the diocese, the Right Rev. William Meade, D. D., is president of the faculty. It has 4 professors, 53 students, and a library of about 4,000 volumes.
An interesting incident occurred at Alexandria in the life of' Washington. It is given below, as it has often been published :
When Col. Washington was stationed at Alexandria, in 1754, there was an election for members of the Assombis, when Me. W. Payne opposed the candidate supported by Washington. la the course of the contest, Washington grew warm. and said some. thing offensive to Mr. Payne, who, at one blow, extended bim en the ground. The regiment heard that their colonel was mothered by the mob, and they were soon under aims, and in rapid vierien to the town to inflict punishment on the supposed murderers. l'o their great joy he came out to meet them, thanking them per dea a proof of attachment, but conjuring them by their love Be tom and their duty, to return peaceably to their barrocks. Feeling himself to be the aggressor, he resolved to make honorable repa- ration. Early next morning he wrote a polite note to Fir. Parde. requesting to see him at the tavern. Payne repaired to the plana
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DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.
appointed, in expectation of a duel; but what was his surprise to see wine and glasses in lieu of pistols. Washington rose to meet him, and smiling as he offered his hand, began, "Mr. Payne, to err is nature ; to rectify error is glory. I believe I was wrong yester- day ; you have already had some satisfaction. and if you deem that sufficient, here is my hand-let us be friends." : An act of such sublime virtue produced its proper effect, and Mr. Payne was from that moment an enthusiastic admirer of Washington.
THE END.
ERRATA ... On page 108, it is stated that Lord Dunmore removed the powder from the max. azine at Williamsburg on the 19th of Apni, 1735. li should read, co the night of the 19 % of April.
On page 146, the age and date of the decease of Gor. Thomas Nelson is stated ervence.liv. They are accurately siven in the biographical sketch, on page 592.
On page 282, evidence is presented to prove that Shelley. in Gloucester county, was the spot where Pocahontas rescued Capt, Smith, Since that fona was printed we have received & letter from the author of the article alluded to, in which be says : " From a description of Worowocomoco, the scene of Smith's reseve, in . Newes from Virginia,' (by Smith) republished in the last [January 1810] number of the Southern Literary Messenger, and from other cir. curustances, I am now satisfied that I was mistaken in supposing the scene of the resope wa: at Eboliv, and that it was some vilva lower down York riser, at or near what is sult Anoner as . Fowhatan's Chimaev y which, I take it, was attached to the house built for the Emperor by the English."
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