The wings were nearly completed when the British army, under General Ross, in August 1814, made a sudden incursion, and after defeating the American troops at Bladensburg, gained possession of the city; he set fire to the Capitol, the President's house, and the public offices, reducing them to ashes, although unconnected with the operations of war. The foundation of the north wing was laid in the presence of General Washington, on the 16th September 1793, and that of the centre on the 24th of August 1818, being the anniversary of the destruction by the British. The building covers one and a half acres, and 1820 square feet, exclusive of its circular enclosure and the elegant area and glacis on the west front. The square contains upwards of 20 acres, embracing a circumference of more than three-fourths of a mile, enclosed by a substantial iron railing, with very neat gateways, gravel walks, and a beautiful bordering of shrubbery and flowers, forming a delightful promenade for the use of the citizens. A brick pavement encircles these beautiful grounds. The Capitol presents the most splendid and imposing architectural mass to be found in this or, probably, in any other country, for the same object. The plan was originally furnished by the late Dr. Thornton, was altered in part by Mr. Latrobe, and finally completed by Mr. Bulfinch. A magnificent portico, extending the whole length of the centre, decorates the eastern front of the building. The pediment, resting on five massive Corinthian columns, is in just proportion and fine taste. The tympanum is ornamented with an allegorical group, in alto relievo, executed by Signor Persico. The principal or central figure, elevated on a platform, represents America holding the constitution in her right hand, and directing Hope, standing on her left, to look to Justice. Near her is an eagle in a soaring attitude. All these figures are colossal, and do credit to the skill of the artist by whom they were executed. The eastern entrance to the rotunda from the floor of the portico is ornamented with two light and beautiful figures in stone, in the act of covering with laurel the bust of Washington, which is placed immediately over the door. The rotunda occupies the centre of the Capitol; is ninety-six feet in diameter, and ninety-six feet high to the ceiling of the dome. This is terminated by a cupola and balustrade, accessible by means of a stair-case passing between the roof and ceiling. From this elevation the prospect which bursts upon the eye is most splendid. Three cities are spread before you; the Potomac on one side, and the Eastern Branch of the other, uniting and rolling their waters to the ocean; a range of hills extending in a magnificent sweep around you, and displaying all the richness and verdure of woodland scenery, with here and there beautiful slopes in cultivation; the whole, when coloured by the golden beams of the setting sun, burnishing the reposing clouds, and gilding the tops of the trees, or giving light and shade to the living landscape-forms a scene which few portions of the earth can rival, and which none can surpass. The interior of the rotunda is ornamented with alto relievos, sculptured in stone; and with four historical paintings, by Col. Trumbull. Four other pannels are left to be filled up with other productions of the pencil, at some future period. The subjects of the sculptured pannels are, 1st. The landing of the Pilgrims on Plymouth Rock; 2d. The Treaty between Penn and the Indians; 3d. The preservation of Captain Smith by Pocahontas; and, 4th. The exploit of Captain Boon, the western pioneer, with two Indians. The whole of these are indifferently executed, with the exception of the third, representing the Indian princess in the act of saving the life of Smith, which is more skilfully grouped and executed than any of the others. Stone pilasters support the entablature and cornice, which are ornamented with carved flowers and wreaths, and on the latter are sculptured medallions, representing Columbus, Sir Walter Raleigh, and Cabot: the fourth has not been inserted. The floor of the rotunda, which is laid in Seneca stone, is supported by stone columns of the Tuscan order, and groined arches. Passing out of this spacious room to the west, you enter the Library of Congress, which is ninety-two feet in length, thirty-four in width, and thirty-six feet high. It consists of twelve alcoves, supporting two galleries running along the whole length of the apartment from north to south, and containing the same number of recesses as the other part of the room. The front of each alcove is ornamented with fluted pilasters, and four stone columns with caps like those in the temple of Lysacrates at Athens. end and the ceiling are richly decorated with stucco ornaments, in fine taste. Three circular openings, handsomely ornamented, admit the light from above, while five windows admit light from the west. A stair-way at each corner of the room leads to the galleries above, and a door in the centre opens into a splendid colonnade, or logea, to the west, extending the whole length of the apartment. The Senate Chamber is a semi-circle of seventy-four feet in length, and forty-two feet in height. A light and beautiful gallery projects from the upper part of the semi-circle, and is supported by iron columns and caps, bronzed. The walls are covered with lilac coloured drapery, between pilasters of marble. Columns of breccia, or Potomac marble, support the eastern gallery, and the whole is surmounted by a double dome or ceiling, richly ornamented with stucco work; above the eastern gallery, and immediately in front of the president's chair, is placed a portrait of General Washington, five feet by four. It was painted by Rembrandt Peale of Philadelphia; and is said to be the best likeness of that distinguished individual ever executed. The south wing contains the Hall of the House of of Representatives: ninety-five feet in length and sixty in height; it is a semi-circle, occupying the whole area of the wing from the second story upwards;-twenty-six massive columns and pilasters of breccia or Potomac marble, standing on a base of free stone, support a magnificent dome, painted in a very rich and splendid style, to represent that of the Pantheon of Rome, and executed by a young Italian artist, named Bonani, who died in Washington a few years ago. In the centre of this dome, to admit light from above, is erected a handsome cupola; from this is suspended a massy bronze gilt chandelier, of immense weight, which reaches within a few feet of the floor of the chamber. The speaker's chair is elevated and canopied, and on a level with the logea or promenade for the members, formed of columns and pilasters of marble and stone. Above this and under a sweeping arch near the dome, is placed a colossal figure of liberty; on the entablature beneath is sculptured an American eagle with expanded wings, and in front of the chair, and immediately over the entrance, stands a beautiful statue, in marble, representing History recording the events of the nation. She is placed on a winged car, which is in the act of rolling over the globe, on which is figured in basso relievo the signs of the zodiac; the wheel of the car forms the face of the clock and is finely designed and beautifully executed. The whole was the work of Signor Franzoni, another meritorious Italian artist, who also died in Washington. Between the columns is suspended fringed drapery of crimson morine, festooned near the gallery, to enable the auditors to see as well as hear. A magnificent portrait of Lafayette, at full length, painted by a French artist, and a most admirable likeness of that patriot, decorates a pannel on one side of the logea, and Mr Vanderlin has been employed by Congress to paint a portrait of Washington to occupy the corresponding pannel on the opposite side. Between the columns are placed sofas for the accommodation of those who are privileged to enter the hall; and within the bar, in a semi-circle fronting the speaker's chair, are seated the members of the house, each of whom is furnished with a mahogany desk. These are the principal rooms of the Capitol, with the exception of that occupied by the supreme court, which is immediately under the senate chamber, and nearly of the same form and dimensions. Near the western entrance, and a few steps from the terrace, is a monument, which formerly stood in the navy yard in this city, originally erected by some of the officers of the navy, as a token of respect to the memory of those gallant youths, Wadsworth, Israel, &c. who voluntarily yielded themselves a sacrifice rather than become the slaves of barbarians. This beautiful little monument was executed in Italy. It is a small Doric pillar with emblematical embellishments, and crowned with an eagle in the act of flying. The column rests on a base sculptured in basso-relievo, representing Tripoli, its fortresses, the Mediterranean, and the American fleet in the fore-ground. The sub-base is of American marble, and at each angle stands an appropriate marble figure spiritedly executed. One of these represents America, directing the attention of her children to History, who is recording the daring and intrepid action of the young heroes; the third represents Fame with a wreath of laurel in one hand and a pen in the other; and the fourth Mercury, or the god of commerce, with his cornucopia and caduceus. The Pennsylvania avenue, planted with Lombardy poplars, leads from the capitol to the President's house, another elegant edifice, built of freestone, according to the Ionic proportions. It is two stories high, with a lofty basement, and is 180 feet long by 85 wide. The entrance from the north is through a lofty portico, which is projected, so as to leave room for carriages to pass between the platform and the outer columns; the house stands on an elevation in the centre of a large reservation of ground; the view to the south is extremely beautiful and picturesque. According to the original design the main front of the building was to the south, which commands a very extensive and beautiful view of the Potomac; but the Pennsylvania avenue, passing on the northern side of the mansion, having become the main thoroughfare of the city, the portico abovementioned has been erected on the northern front, which is thus converted into the principal entrance. There are four buildings erected 500 feet east and west of the President's house, for the accommodation of the principal departments and subordi nate offices of the government. They are each two stories high, with freestone basements, and are covered with slate; the two, facing north, are each 160 feet long by 60 wide, with handsome porticoes of the Ionic order; the two facing south are 150 feet long, by 57 wide. The general post office, on E street north, occupies the whole of the south front of the square, being 200 feet long; it is 3 stories high, and in it are the general post office, city post office, and patent office; it is a very neat and commodious edifice, well adapted to the purposes for which it is used; it stands on high ground, about equi-distant from the Capitol and the President's house. The navy yard, on the East Branch, is enclosed on the north and east by a lofty wall, with a handsome gateway and guard-rooms, a large and commodious dwelling for the commandant, and others for different officers attached to the yard; there are extensive timber sheds, warehouses, shops for blacksmiths, coopers, turners, plumbers, joiners, sailmakers, boat builders, &c., a powerful steam engine works two sets of saws, drives a tilt hammer, turners' lathes, &c.; there are also two very large ship houses. The Columbus 64, Potomac and Brandywine frigates, of 44 guns each, and several other vessels of war, have been built at this yard; the neat and tastefully arranged armory and the vast quantity of naval stores, and cannon of every size, deposited in the yard, are objects of much interest. The marine barracks, situated north of the navy yard, occupy the whole square; the building is upwards of 700 feet in length, with a colonnade facing into the square; in the centre of the square are the officers' quarters; at the north of the square is the commandant's house, which is very large and commodious; and at the south is an armory. and workshop; the yard is neat, and kept in excellent order. A substantial navy magazine, with a house for the keeper and wharf for convenience of receiving and sending off powder, &c., is situated at the east end of the city, on the Anacostia branch of the Potomac. At the southern extremity of the city stands the extensive army arsenal, and laboratories for arms, and manufactory of military stores, with large sheds and houses for the storage of caissons, cannon, carriages, &c., and a magazine occupying a large space of ground, in a beautiful and commanding situation. The penitentiary is situated on the public ground north of the arsenal; it is a lofty building, of brick, enclosing within it the cells for the convicts, four tier high, built of freestone, and properly secured by strong iron doors; attached to it are spacious buildings for the warden and keepers; the warden's house faces the Potomac; and in front is a substantial wharf for the convenience of the establishment; the ground is enclosed by a lofty brick wall extending from near the Potomac to James' creek. Having now completed an account of the most important of the public buildings belonging to the United States in Washington, we subjoin the following summary of expenditures, together with the sources from which a part of the same was raised, and the estimated value of the remaining property, carefully prepared from the most authentic docu President's House, &c. Prior to burning in Au- 1, 1830 Prior to burning in gust 1814 333,207 04 300,072-37 1,945 63 5,405 32 5,887 73 19,009 51 665,527 60 From 1814 to Jan. 1830 927,900 00 Building sheds for workmen 4,681 23 Digging canal from James to Tiber creek 5,670 61 Interest on loans, commiss ions, &c. 165,533 93 Salaries, &c. 788,071 28 1830 1,704,250 27 Temporary committee 2,771 96 71,602 57 3,507 84 rooms Enclosing the square Alterations in capitol 5155 lots unsold, at same rate, viz. $180 each 541 acres of reserved ground, distributed in such a manner as to give the United States the possession of some of the most valuable as well as the most beautiful parts of the city, estimated at 10 cents per square foot 2,356,596 00 Deduct reservations No. 10, 11, and 12, and new squares, A, B, C, D, given up for building lots, and the proceeds applied to levelling the public ground and shifting the canal from the line of Pennsylvania Avenue, to an east and west line from the centre of the Capitol For the improvements made in the city, opening and graduating the streets and avenues, the support of the poor, and all other expenses of the city, the money has been raised by assessments upon the private property within its limits; the city lots owned by the United States, the public reservations and all other property of the government, having never been assessed, nor subject to any charge whatever. The seat of government was established in this city in 1800, during the presidency of John Adams. Legal jurisdiction over the district was assumed by congress on the 27th of February 1801, and the laws of Maryland and Virginia, then existing, declared to be in force, most of which are continued to the present time. The city was first incorporated on the 3d of May 1802, and its charter was modified and its corporate powers enlarged in 1804, 1812, 1820 and 1832. By the present charter the corporation consists of a mayor, aldermen and common council; the mayor and board of aldermen are elected by the people every two years, and the council annually. The mayor and aldermen are justices of the peace ex officio. The city is divided into six wards. Each ward elects two aldermen and three councilmen, and every free white male citizen of the United States, of lawful age, having resided in the city one year previous to the election, and who shall have been assessed on the books of the corporation for the year ending on the 31st December preceding the election, and shall have paid all taxes assessed and due on personal property, when legally required so to do, are entitled to vote for mayor and members of the two boards. The corporation have power to pass all laws for the government of the city, not inconsistent with the constitution or laws of the United States. The judges of the circuit court compose a tribunal for the trial of civil and criminal cases, and the justices of the peace, who are appointed by the president, can give judgment for all sums under fifty dollars, and perform such other duties as usually appertain to that office. There is also an orphans' court and register of wills. The sessions of the boards of aldermen and council, and also of the circuit court, are held in the City Hall, a spacious brick building, presenting a front of 251 feet. This building, commenced in August 1820, was erected by the corporation from the proceeds of a lottery privilege, granted by congress, but is yet in an unfinished state. On one side of the same square, originally selected and laid down as the judiciary square, is erected the jail of the county. To the west of the City Hall stands the Asylum, or Almshouse, erected by the corporation for the reception and accommodation of the poor, diseased, and infirm of the city, for the support of which about four thousand dollars are annually appropriated. There are four market houses, in each of which market is held tri-weekly; the centre one is large and well supplied, and when finished will form three sides of an oblong square, the south front being open to the waters of Tiber creek. VOL. XVIII.-PART II. A little to the north of the city, on a fine elevation, stands Columbia College. This institution was incorporated by congress in 1821. It has 47 acres of land, the building is 117 feet front by 47 wide, and four stories high; besides which, there are two neat dwellings, with out-houses and gardens, for the accommodation of the professors. It has occasionally been aided by congress, but from some defect in the management of its concerns it is not in so flourishing a condition as might have been anticipated from its early prospects and local advantages. Connected with this establishment is a medical school, which is rising into reputation; the faculty is composed of gentlemen of experience in their profession, and the graduates are well instructed, Nor Besides many other minor literary establishments, there are in Washington two catholic institutions under the care and direction of the Sisters of Charity, into which orphan females are admitted, supported, and educated gratuitously; pay scholars are also admitted, that the blessings of education may be as widely extended as possible. has the corporation of Washington been indifferent or inattentive to this important subject; it has established two public schools for the free instruction of orphan children, and those of poor and destitute parents, in the elementary branches of English education; these seminaries are under the direction of trustees appointed annually by the city councils, and the number of pupils who are thus gratuitously educated average from three to four hundred. There is also a general orphan asylum supported by voluntary contributions, and for the use of which a very commodious building has been erected. There are twenty places of worship in Washington, viz. three Episcopalian, four Presbyterian, one Friends, four Methodist, three Baptist, two Catholic, one Unitarian, and two African-generally well attended. There is also a City Library, incorporated by congress, containing upwards of 5000 volumes. Three banks, with an aggregate capitol of 1,230,000 dollars, and a branch of the United States Bank, a fire insurance company, a museum and gallery of paintings, a colonization society, a society for the abolition of slavery; Bible, missionary and tract societies, Columbian Institute, medical and botanical societies; a lyceum, and several charitable associations. There are two steamboats which regularly depart from Washington for Baltimore, one to Norfolk, and one to Potomac Creek. Eight stages run daily to Baltimore, one to the west, and several in other directions. The city is well supplied with good water; the Pennsylvania Avenue is supplied from copious springs, by wooden and iron pipes. West of the Navy Yard are several extensive wharves and warehouses, and others near the Potomac bridge. The canal which is to connect the two rivers is now under the management of the city, and contracts have been made to enlarge it, both in width and in depth, so as to admit four feet water at low tide; the work has been commenced, and, when com4 E pleted, will afford sufficient depth of water for a lively trade, in steamboats and small craft, through the centre of the city. The Anacostia branch has a sufficient depth of water for frigates to ascend above the Navy Yard without being lightened, and vessels drawing fourteen feet can come to the Potomac bridge, and thence to the mouth of Tiber creek, in nine feet water at ordinary high tide; the Tiber itself is shallow, with a soft, muddy bottom, which will be deepened under the canal contract, and from 17th to 14th streets will form a spacious basin of 600 or 700 feet in width by upwards of 1500 in length, to where the canal commences, which is to be 150 wide to 6th street, the whole forming a spacious outlet to the Potomac, and uniting with the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal, which is to be continued from the basin at the mouth of Rock creek. The assessments for taxes are made once in five years, and in conformity with an act of congress, are to be according to the cash valuation of the property at the time of the assessment. After the payment of its proportion of the general expenses of the city, the taxes raised in each ward are to be expended in improvements therein, and in no other. The amount of assessments in 1831 were On personal estate, Buildings, Lots, $7,507,055 The total number of dwelling houses and other buildings on the 31st December 1830 was 3560 And there were erected in 1831 186 feet, recently constructed across the mouth of Rock creek. The position of the town is remarkably salubrious, and it has at all times escaped those summer epidemics that have some years prevailed 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. 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 ornamental. Subsequently, its trade had declined, and improvement in a great measure was suspended. Within the last two years, however, there has been a considerable increase in trade, and several valuable buildings have been erected. Its principal export trade consists of tobacco, flour, leather, soap, candles, beer, &c. The annual inspection of tobacco varies from 3000 to 5000 hogsheads, and the inspection of flour has increased from 80,000 to 200,000 barrels. There is a considerable foreign trade to Europe, South America, and the West Indies, and an extensive coasting trade. The Chesapeake and Ohio Canal passes through $634,030 the heart of the town, at the level of thirty-seven 3,384,993 feet above the river, into an extensive basin formed 3,488,032 on Rock creek, the descent to which is by four detached locks. This town being the highest seaport on the Potomac, and the first reached by the canal in its descent, its situation is peculiarly favourable for enjoying the trade which will be wafted on that great highway. As a large portion of this canal is expected to be finished and open for navigation during the next season, establishing 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 expected. Total in 1831, 3746 The number of inhabitants in Washington were, at different periods, as follows: White. Slaves Free In 1800 2464 623 123 1803 3412 717 223 1807 4198 944 1810 6292 1,436 500. Total. 3210 The town and its vicinity offers peculiar advan4,352 tages for extensive manufactories: the river has a 5,652 fall nearly forty feet in four miles next above the 8,620 town, and the canal extending over this space at so 11,299 great an elevation, affords an ample water power for 13,247 numerous manufacturing establishments, without 2,319 3,139 18,837 obstruction to the navigation. The number of deaths in Washington for eleven years from 1820 to 1830 inclusive, were 3280, being an average of 298 per annum; the number in 1831 . 1830 was 380. 9606 13,379 GEORGETOWN, also within the District of Columbia, was originally laid out under an act of the colonial assembly of Maryland, passed May 15th, 1751. In 1789, the town was incorporated, and Robert Peter, Esq. appointed first mayor. The corporation is now known by the name of the Mayor, Recorder, Aldermen and Common Council of Georgetown. This town is situated on the eastern bank of the Potomac river, near the head of the tide and the natural navigation of that river, and is separated by Rock creek from Washington, with which there is a ready communication by means of two bridges crossing the creek at two principal streets of Georgetown, and by a pier of the width of 160 The public institutions and buildings consist of a Roman Catholic College, incorporated by congress-beautifully situated at the edge of the townit is in a very flourishing condition; a society of nuns, incorporated by congress under the name of the "Sisters of the Visitation," who conduct a flourishing female academy; two Roman Catholic churches, two Protestant Episcopalian, one Presbyterian, one Methodist, one Associated Methodist and one African; two banks, incorporated by congress; and a Lancasterian and several other respectable schools; immediately above the town is an extensive cannon foundry. The college has been established for 48 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 established for 30 years-only two deaths have taken place among the young ladies. There are at this time |