The procession marched two abreast, in the greatest solemn dignity, with music playing, drums beating, colours flying, and spectators rejoicing from the President's square to the Capitol in the city of Washington, where the Grand Marshal ordered a halt, and directed each file in the procession to incline two steps, one to the right, and one to the left, and faced each other, which formed an hollow oblong square, through which the Grand Sword Bearer led the van, followed by the Grand Master P. T. on the left, the President of the United States in the centre, and the Worshipful Master of No. 22 Virginia on the right; all the other orders that composed the procession advanced in the reverse of their order of march from the President's square to the south-east corner of the Capitol, and the artillery filed off to a destined ground to display their manœuvres and discharge their cannon; the President of the United States, the Grand Master P. T., and Worshipful Master of No. 22 taking their stand to the east of a huge stone, and all the craft forming a circle westward, stood a short time in awful order. The artillery discharged a volley. The Grand Marshal delivered the Commissioners a large silver plate with an inscription thereon, which the Commissioners ordered to be read, and was as follows: This south-east corner-stone of the Capitol of the United States of America, in the city of Washington, was laid on the 18th day of September, 1793, in the thirteenth year of American Independence, in the first year of the second term of the Presidency of George Washington, whose virtues in the civil administration of his country have been so conspicuous and beneficial, as his military valour and prudence have been useful in establishing her liberties, and in the year of Masonry 1793, by the President of the United States, in concert with the Grand Lodge of Maryland, several Lodges under its jurisdiction, and Lodge No. 22 from Alexandria, Virginia. THOMAS JOHNSON, The artillery discharged a volley. The plate was then delivered to the President, who, attended by the Grand Master P. T. and three most Worshipful Masters, descended to the cavazion trench and deposed the plate, and laid it on the corner-stone of the Capitol of the United States of America, on which was deposed corn, wine, and oil, when the whole congregation joined in reverential prayer, which was succeeded by Masonic chaunting honors, and a volley from the artillery. The President of the United States, and his attendant brethren, ascended from the cavazion to the east of the corner-stone, and there the Grand Master P. T., elevated on a triple rostrum, delivered an oration fitting the occasion, which was received with brotherly love and commendation. At intervals, during the delivery of the Oration, several volleys were discharged by the artillery. The ceremony ended in prayer, Masonic chaunting honours, and a 15 volley from the artillery. The whole company retired to an extensive booth, where an ox of 500 lbs. weight was barbacued, of which the company generally partook, with every abundance of other recreation. The festival concluded with fifteen successive vollies from the artillery, whose military discipline and manœuvres merit every commendation. Before dark the whole company departed, with joyful hopes of the production of their labor. LETTERS OF WASHINGTON. With a view to brevity, we omitted in the third chapter some letters of Washington which may prove interesting, as showing the difficulties which he encountered at the time these referred to, and his constant efforts to surmount them. To Gustavus Scott, one of the Commissioners, on learning the action of Maryland, referred to on page 29. PHILADELPHIA, December 26, 1796. SIR-Your favor of the 15th inst. was not received until the 22d; to what the delay is to be ascribed I know not. The voice of Maryland, as expressed by its Legislature in the resolutions which you enclosed, is flattering indeed, as respects myself personally, and highly pleasing as relates to their federal sentiments. I thank you for sending them. From what you have said of the disposition of the Senate of that State, the presumption is, that the loan of $100,000, for the use of the Federal city, must, ere this, have passed through all the requisite forms. The necessity of the case jus tified the obtaining it almost on any terms; and the zeal of the commissioners (if they in their individual capacities, which they surely may do, without hazarding anything) in making themselves liable for the amount, as it could not be had without, cannot fail of approbation. At the same time, I must confess that the request has a very singular appearance, and will not, I should suppose, be very grateful to the feelings of Congress. Washington to the Commissioners of the City of Washington, relative to work on Public Buildings. February 15th, 1797. GENTLEMEN:-Several of your letters have been received within a few days; and notwithstanding the accumulation of business consequent of the near epoch for my quitting the chair of government, the receipt of them should not have remained so long unacknowledged, had I not placed such as related to the power of attorney and to some disputed points into the hands of the Law Officer of the United States for his official opinion without having received his report, owing, I believe, to his having been hurried almost as much as myself. Thus circumstanced, I shall confine the subject of this letter wholly to the expression of my sentiments relative to the public buildings, conceiving it necessary that you should be informed of them without delay. When, in the course of the Autumn, you suggested the propriety of designating sites for the executive offices, and for providing materials for their erection, I yielded a ready assent; and still think that if we had the means at command, and no doubt was entertained of the adequacy of them, these buildings ought to com mence. But when the difficulty in obtaining loans, and the disadvantageous terms on which money is borrowed has since become so apparent; when I see those whose interest it is to appreciate the credit of the city and to aid the commissioners in all their laudable exertions, brooding over their jealousies and spreading the seeds of distrust; and when I perceive (as I clearly do) that the public mind is in a state of doubt, if not despair, of having the principal buildings in readiness for Congress by the time contemplated; for these reasons I say, and for others that might be enumerated, I am now decidedly of opinion that the edifices for the executive offices ought to be suspended; that the work on the house for the President should advance no faster (at the expense or retardment of the Capitol) than is necessary to keep pace therewith and to preserve it from injury; and that all the means not essential for other purposes, and all the force, ought to be employed on the Capitol. It may relied on that it is the progress of that building that is to inspire or de5 press public confidence. Under any circumstances, this, more or less, would be the case. But when it is reported by many, and believed by some, (without foundation, I am persuaded,) that there is a bias elsewhere, it is essential, on the score of policy and for the gratification of the public wishes, that the work should be vigorously prosecuted in the manner I have suggested, and I require it accordingly. Considered in a simple point of view, the matter stands thus-are the funds sufficient to accomplish all the objects which are contemplated? If doubts arise, then which of these objects are to be preferred? On this ground, there would be but one opinion; every body would cry out-"the Capitol." Again, admit that the resources will ultimately be adequate, but cannot be drawn forth in the ratio of your general wants, will not the same answer, as it respects time, apply with equal force to the building just mentioned? This, then, appears safe ground to proceed on. It would gratify the public wishes and expectations; might possibly appease clamor; and if all the buildings cannot be completed in time, no material evil would result from the postponement of the subordinate offices until the Capitol is in such a state of forwardness as to remove all doubts of its being ready for the reception of Congress by the time appointed. Another good (mentioned in a former letter) would flow from it; which is, that in proportion as that building advanced and doubts subsided, private buildings would be erected where they are most wanted for the accommodation of the members. The public offices might shift (as they have done) a while longer. I write in much haste for this morning's post, that the letter may get to you in the course of the week. If I have expressed myself in such a manner as to be clearly understood, it is enough. TO THE COMMISSIONERS. Last words as President, relative to the seat of Federal Power. PHILADELPHIA, March 3d, 1797. GENTLEMEN:-Three things, relative to the city of Washington, call for my decision and this is the last day I have powers to give any. The first is the dispute with Mr. Law, touching the conveyances of lots; the second, my approbation of the plans of executive offices; and the third, to the instrument you transmitted to me in your letter of the 31st January. [The Attorney General, having decided in Law's favor, he advises that it should prevail. The plans for executive offices approved. The instrument, having been altered by the advice of the Attorney General, he encloses formally executed.] MR. CALHOUN ON MILEAGE. (Omitted by mistake from page 46.) Speaking of a removal of the seat of government, he said :— Our capital had been placed here, very wisely in his judgment, and he believed it would always continue here as long as there was a necessity for a seat of government. If it were ever removed, the change would proceed from some other cause than the necessity for placing it in a more central position. The attendance of members might be found inconvenient and oppressive; but he would here remark that there was a wise provision in the statute-book-a provision for the allowance of mileage to members for the expenses of travel. As long as that law prevailed, the Representatives of the most distant quarters would stand in as eligible a position as those of the nearest. They ought to be paid in a proportion equal to the square of the distance travelled. It was an error to suppose that the mere extent of the intervening distance should be paid. Greater distances should be paid a higher rate. Because distance disturbed all the social relations, broke in upon the comfort of families, and robbed them of the enjoyment of home, it should therefore be liberally compensated. He was convinced that no one here, as far as he was individually concerned, desired a removal of the seat of government. Adams, John. His address to Congress on assembling at the capitol.. Avenues and streets. Their arrangement, names, &c...... 66 Allen, William. His remarks on commercial influence at the capital... Ames, Fisher. His opinion on the importance of the question relative to the future Expenditures by Congress on account of......... 14 8 22 31 66 Report of Commissioner of Public Buildings on the improve- 38 BALTIMORE. Subscription of its citizens for public buildings....... Benton, Thomas H.-favors a public church as a monument to Washington........ 66 Private...... CALHOUN, JOHN C. His remarks on centre of territory.. Capitals, Political, influence of...................... Capitol, Corner-stone of.......... Carroll, Daniel-advocates a site on the Potomac. Centre of territory, population, or wealth, how far criterions in selecting site. 11, 13, 14 8 21 16 23 38 38 14 on removal of capital. 46,66 8, 14 22, 63 8 11 his opinion as to cession of soil.... Conogocheague—na Constitution, Article of, concerning "ten miles square," how regarded in Virginia DALLAS, GEORGE M. His remarks relative to Smithsonian Institution.. Debt,-plan for funding-its influence in determining the site....... ELLICOTT, ANDREW. His plan for supplying the city with water.. 30 15, 16 MACKINTOSH, SIR JAMES. His remark relative to a great metropolis. Madison, James. His remarks on the growth of the western territory.. 66 neglect of it..... 66 its site....... Maryland, Donation by..... 66 Loan by......... Mileage, Mr. Calhoun's remarks on Ministers and secretaries, plan for furnishing them with houses. Monroe, James-proposes to make Chesapeake and Ohio Canal a national work.. Mount Vernon, proposed purchase of......... Muir, Rev. James. His address on laying corner-stone of the District.... 66 Plan of organization- Smith, William-sets forth the advantages of Ealtimore... 66 Mr. Dallas's remarks on organization..... 1st. Under the requirements of the charter... 1st. Library........ 2d. Museum.... 31, 32 |