Evening Star Newspaper, April 27, 1889, Page 9

4 THE EVENING STAR: WASHINGTON, D.C., SATURDAY, APRIL 27, 1889-TWELVE PAGES. pointed, whi The six points are sometimes known. | proof that it really was once the prope: mullet” in heraldry is a star (generally) | the Father of his Country that he spent much five points, and is always formed of straight | time and considerable money in connecting it lines, while the “estoile” is more points, with wavy ray the center of the shield is the heraldic 1 by the second sonof the family—t Id is that of Robert. THE PARISH REGISTER e | a few weeks after astar of six or| with valuable other relics of the illustrious The crescent in | dead which are scattered all over the country. 8. A. Washington died at Watseka, IIL, in 1865, willing the seal to his son. WASHINGTON IN PHILADELPHIA. records that a child of Lawrence Washington, | some Interesting Facts About His Stay ing the XV. day of December. 1620. Mr. Philip Curtis and Miss Amy Wash- ington were married August 8. i Gregory, was baptized and buried at Brington, 1606-7, It also contains the follow- In that City. In September, 1739, Congress, after much Mr. Lawrence Washington was buried | discussion, decided to establish the national capital at Philadelphia for ten years, and after that at some place suitably situated on the Po- 1622. Mr. Robert Washington was buried tomac, The legislature of Pennsylvania voted March ye lth. Mrs. aried Ma ch ye 20th.” mily in the church at Great Brin; do not comprise the whole of Ww) interest in the neighborhood. LAWRENCE WASHINGTON'S DESCENDANTS. se constitute the records of the ee tis of expenditure of money it would necessitate on that a large and appropriate house on south hzabeth Washington, widow, was | 9th street be selected and purchased for Gen. Washington, but when the President saw it he pohtely declined the offer, owing to the large his own part in order properly to sustain it. He was finally provided with a house on High Robert Washington died childless. Lawrence | street, one door from the southeast corner of Washington left four sons and eight daughters. The sons were William, John, Robert and Law- re Robert is supposed to have died young; the surviving sons were William, Jolin anc Lawrence. William by bis marriage, as previ- 6th street. It is related that while he lived in Philadel- phi Washington gave formal receptions every two weeks, generally on Tuesday afternoon, with the unterstan g that they were given onsly stated, brought up again the fortunes of | by him as President of the United States and bis family. All three are frequently in the Althrop bonsehold books, where William | tyled Sir William. John is first entered .. Washington, and is so styled in January, 22-23, but in the following March, and ever rward, he is called Sir John Washington. He mast have been knighted in the interval by James L This Sir John Washington was the emigrant and direct ancestor of George. the “emigrant,” prior to his leaving England, not much has been discovered. He appears, Lowever, above all others of the family, to have been on intimate terms with the Spencers to ide of the king and fought for him with that Lravery of devotion which ever appears to have ington always Leen a characterestic of the family. SIB HENRY WASHINGTON is well-known to those who are acquainted with the history of the civil war; how he led the storming party to Bristol and defended Wor- cester. We have it on the contem au- thority of Lloyd that this Col. Washington was so well-known for his bravery that it became a proverb in the army when a difficulty arose, “Away with it, quoth Washington.” Sir John had a place at court, produced there by his friend, the great duke’of Buckingham, through whom he sup; he obtained his manor at South Cave in Yorkshire, where he last resided prior to departing for Virginia in 1657. Wash- ington Irving supposes that he and his brother Lawrence went to Virginia in consequence of being implicated in the royalist conspiracy in 1656. Whether all or any of Sir John’s sons went with him there are no means of knowing. ‘The South Cave estate remained in the Wash- ‘on family for some generations later, as is shown by the parish register, but the record is incomplete, part of the register having been destroyed. ‘THE STARS AND STRIPES, There is considerable testimony to sustain the ent that the armor of the Washington st American flag. An Englishman, Mr. A. T. Story, who has made a study of the subject. “It will be noticed that the points of resemblance between the shield and the tlag extend even to the number of the points of the star, itin both cases being five- pointed, and not, as is more common, six- Pointed. We have it on undoubted authority that th nia Washingtons bore, as their miliar red bars and mallets (in the rowels of a spur) to be seen in ‘so rch windows of the Northampton- Warwickshire borders; among other places, at Fawsley, the seat of the Knightleys, once famous in connection with the Puritans end the struggle for religious liberty. ‘Ed- Y 's Her ” gives the following as one rieties of the armorial bearings of the ns: ‘In Buckinghamshire; Kent, arwickshire and Northamptonshire, argent, two bars gules, in chief three mullets of the second; er a@ raven with wings indorsed proper. issuing out of a ducol coronet, or.’ This wes ariety used by Gen. Washington, » be seen attached to the commis- of the earlier officers of the army dence.” WASHINGTON’S SEAL. An Interesting Relic in the Possession nan in Chicago. od D. Washington, of Chicago, is one ndants of the Washington family. . Martha Washington, 1s a handsome with ruddy complexion and Mr. Washington has in his n a relic of the illustrious man who first occupant of the presidential This relic is a seal, the identical watch- ¢ ent with which Gen. Washington i ne death warrant of Major Andre. Several of the historical societies of the coun- t a own eyes, rapressed ¥. notably those of Chicago and Boston, are sin this memento. t more than an inch anda half e work is of gold. One of the It is said that Gen. Wash- he was enga Britain in some it in sealing Major re is proof in exist- es of that time, in mak- i his order to Gen. Lee at the time of g of the Delaware, Warrant of a soldier The general wore of the revolution. N OF RELICS. $s were distributed to various family. This seal, together f other relies, was left to Judge . the Associate Justice of Court of the United States. Telatives of t with a num Pushrod W er Nernon estates of Virginia. Judge Bushrod n died in November. 1829. On his t judge willed the seal to his son of the late Col. Wil Two liam years later the his ¢ son, Washing the father of hington, who has now posses- He willed it to his son in an i and sealed at Middleport, 1L., August 10. 1863. In this 1 is very specifically described, e can be no doubt concerning its Many years ago Bushrod D. dest 5 private business connected with Mt. Vernon. on which was an im- t ail raised place at the bottom shield, being either broken or DESCRIPTION OF THE SEAL. ‘The seal contains the coat-of-arms of the Washington family. It consists of a shield with two bars crosswise, over which there are three Stars, or, as they were termed a century ago, *pur rowels. Above and resting on the shield, is a dueal corouet surmounted by a dove with spread wings. Issuing from and underneath the coronet on either side is a wreath, while sround and over the top of the shield is a scroll bearing the motto “Exitus Acta Probat,” which, translated, is “The end justifies the means.” How or when this motto origi- Bated or was adopted in connection with the family coat-of-arms Bushrod D. Washington is not prepared to sa OTHER SEALS AND SEAL-RIXGS. One writer dates its origin as far back as A. D. 1169. President Washington had a number of seals and seal-rings and the coat-of-arms has been represented in a number of ways. Mr. Washi says that in one instance the Wreath was without the motto and in another the motto was eugraved without the wreath, While another simply had the arms without the Cove, or raven, as some claim itis. The coat- of-arms on the generai’s orate representation as regards the scroll, wreath, &c. Spotswood Augrstine Washi: 2, the father of the present owner ef the memento, Was so desirous of es! 1 leaning over a table. The | ¢ es, aud was presented to | «tai d in the | ilized the instrument, | t The | eral’s successor to the Mount | Washington, of Mt. ate | heirloom became | Spots- | not as Gen. Washington, citizen. HOW HE RECEIVED VISITORS. His place for holding receptions was a dining- room in the rear of his house, about thirty feet in length. It was his usual custom on receiv- ing visitors to have them presented by his secretary or some gentleman of his intimate Of | acquaintance. At 3 o'clock, generally, the vielen was introduced into thi even with his most intimate friends, but re- ceived the guest with a dignified bow. Wash- resented a manly figure, clad in The name of | @ black silk velvet coat, hair powdered, neatly dressed and gathered together behind in a large silk rie a visitors arrived they formed a circle around the room, and at 3:15 the door was closed and the levee of the day ended. Wash- ington began on the right of the circle and spoke to each visitor, calling each by name and exchanging a few words of greeting. When he had completed his circuit he resumed his first position and the visitors approaching him in succession bowed and retired. By 4 o'clock the ceremony was over, Mrs. Washington held her receptions, or levees as they were then called, every Friday evening, the general always being present. HIS GRAVITY OF DEMEANOR. Washington never made himself very familiar with anyone, always maintaining a dignified and grave countenance. He generally wore knee breeches and shoe buckles and a long sword. His mode of speaking was very slow and deliberate, and he very seldom made use of jocular expressions save those adapted to his pi On a certain occasion, at one of Mrs, Washington's receptions, some young belles and aspiring matrons tried very hard to win his attention familiarly, but it was to no ; he maintained his customary gravity It is related that Gouverneur Morris once made a wager that he could treat Gen. Wash- ington familiarly, and, as the story goes, while at a dinner party given by Washington, Morris went up to the general, and, patting him on the shoulder, said: ‘Old gentleman, do you be- lieve that?” Washington turned around and silently stared him in the face with an expres- —< dislike that utterly abashed his inter- ator. IN THE DINING ROOM. At meals Washington always sat half way from the head to the foot of the table, with Mrs. Wahington on his right, and if there were ladies present they sat on either side of her. Mr. Lear, his private secretary, sat at the foot of the table and was expected at all times to be especially courteous toall guests. Washington always asked a blessing before each meal, and in the event of a clergyman being present his services were cordially invoked. ‘The dishes were without covers and there was a small roll of bread enclosed in a napkin on the side of each plate. The President dinedon one dish only, and that of a plain and simple kind, He did not approve of @ variety of courses. He occasionally took a glass of wine, but never more than one, and very often of itonly a sip. First to leave the table were the ladies, then the general, who left his secretary to finish the meal and look to the comfort and entertain- ment of the other guests. Upon the table were placed as ornaments sundry alabaster statuettes padout two feet in height, and in the center were five or six large silver or silver-plated spoons, TUF. COACH AND ITS COACHMAN. A very familiar object on the streets in Phil- adelphia during Washington's sojourn here was the Washington coach. It was presented to him, it was said, by Louis XV ‘ing of France. It was cream-colored, globular in shape, very roomy and ornamented in French style, wit! cupids supporting festoons and wreaths of flowers, tastefully arranged along the panel work, and was covered with glass, It was gen. erally drawn by two fine Virginia horses, son times four, with long switch tails, and driven by a German ina cocked hat, named Fritz, who put on “great airs.” Washington attended Christ church, and ery Sunday morning this coach could be seen nding at the church gate waiting for its il- lustrious owner. Crowds, eager to get a look at the President as he emerged from worship, | waited patiently about. THE GREAT DEFERENCE SHOWN HIM. It was Geueral Washington's habit to go every day about noon to the southeast corner of 4th and High streets to set his watch, at what was then called Clark’s standard. When he arrived there, it was the custom for all the porters. and whomsoever might be near at the i | time of his appearance, instantly to take off th of Gen. Washington a large | their hats and stand uncovered until he turned away. He acknowledged this courtesy by a pleasant and kindly bow, lifting his hat in turn. For out-door dress he wore a rich Spanish cloak of blue, faced with red silk velvet, and thrown over his left shoulder. MT. VERNON OF OLD. Reminiscences of General Washington and His Home. HOW THE NEIGHBORS REGARDED THE FATHER OF HIS COUNTRY—SOCIAL CUSTOMS ON THE MT.VER- NON ESTATE--UNBOUNDED HOSPITALITY AND COR- DIAL WELCOME—HUMAN SIDE OF WASHINGTON, Correspondence of Tre Eventxa Stan. Prrrssuna, April 25.—Few people in this world every live to recall the memories of ninety years, but the recollection of Col. Jas. | D. Minroll, the oldest inhabitant of this iron ons father found an old letter relat- | city, who has recently celebrated his ninety- sixth birthday, dates back to 1797, when he was Of this seal which proved to be mena. | fUF Years of age. Though born in the rural districts of Virginia, within a few miles of that Mecca of American freemen, Mount Vernon, the greater part of his life has been spent in Washington city, where he has been intimately acquainted with almost every distinguished man who has been promment in the various phases of life at our national capital during the past seventy years, Many happy hours of his childhood were passed on the Mt. Vernon estate, and as he is as vigorous mentally and physically as any man of sixty, his personal recollections of Washington, as well as of Jno. Adams, Thos, Jefferson, Aaron Burr, Jas. Madison. Jas.’ Monroe, Jno. Quincy Adams, Andrew Jackson, Martin Van Buren, Henry Clay. Jno. C. Calhoun, Daniel Webster, Wm. Henry Harrison, Jno. Tyler, Jas. K. Polk, aad many others of our public men of by-gone days, are replete with the charm of interestand novelty, the colonel having heretofore refused to give them to the public, though several pub- lishers have offered him liberal inducements to write @ book of his reminiscences, When, in view of the fact that next Tuesday, April 30, will be the one hundredth anniversary of Washington's inauguration as President of the United States, I asked the colonel to- day for some personal reminiscences of that great patriot he talked freely, REMINISCENCES, “While I think of myself only as a boy,” said the colonel, must confess to what the clergy call a realizing sense that I am out of my teens when I remember that I am more than thirty years older than the railroad, fifty was an elab- | close to the mee the positivg vadde j years older than the telegraph and nearly one andred years older than the telephone and phonograph. Ihad hurrahed and voted for my favorite presidential candidates several ‘mes before I licked my first postage stamp, and it was not until several yeurs after I had arrived at man’s estate that some inventive genius produced a metal plow. ‘Long after I was a married man great, big ‘gals'—in ‘Ole Virginny,’ where I was born—with long waist ribbous and the sleeves of their dresses puffed out like a balloon, their shoes under their arms till they came » when they would stop to put them on. and they'd ‘holler for Ginral Jackson’ if it killed ‘em. In those days ita pair of home-made low shoes, a ‘woolsey pants, and a wool hat ity of | once a year, he bene he was playing in great luck, as you young fellows say now. FIRST VISIT TO MT. VERNON, “It was in such an outfit—for boys arrived at the dignity of bifurcated apparel ata much younger age in those days than they do now— that early in March, 1797, I first remember vis- iting Mount Vernon, being then a you: of four years. It was on the occasion of Wash- ington’s return to home and domestic life at the termination of his second presidential term. Among a vast concourse of neighbors and friends assembled to welcome him was my father, who had taken me with him. The occa- sion was made one of general rejoicing.- Peo- ple came flocking in from ali parts of the vast estate, THE MT. VERNON OF OLD. “Those who are familiar with the Mount Ver- non of to-day, with its 200 acres, can scarcely realize that in Washington’s time it numbered several thousand. It was originally known as the Hunting Creek estate, but when Lawrence Washington, George's half brothef, inherited it from their father, he rechristened it Mount Vernon, in honor of the British admiral under whom he had served in the disastrous cam- ign against Carthagena, in South America. KS Sits “death 36 dectended to his daughter Jenny, and when she died soon afterward it became the property of George Washington. It was a great domain, extending for miles down the Potomac, below Alexandria, “When the beautiful oung relict of Col. Daniel Parke Custis—a colonial belle at fifteen, abride at seventeen, and a widow with two children at twenty-four—became Mrs. Wash- ington she brought her new lord a dower of 15,000 acres of land, 800 negroes, and 30,000 invested in the best securities of those days, The large domain thus added to Mount Vernon made Washington one of the largest and wealthiest landowners of his day. A LIBERAL ENTERTAINER. “No man was ever more liberal in the enter- tainment of his friends and neighbors than George Washington. Those were the days when every well regulated plantation or farm had ite ‘still-house,’ in which the golden grain, garnered with a sickle—for the originator of that great invention, the grain cradle with its five fingers, the forerunner of the reaper and the mowing machine, was then alike to fortune and to fame unknown—was transformed into whisky which did not make men crazy, and which sold for from $3 to #5 per barrel. It was one of the staple productions of Mount Vernon, and every man on the estate that day drank ‘Welcome home and long life to General George Washington,” in a bumper of it that would excite the horror of modern advocates of constitational prohibitory amendments. DIGNITY OF PRESENCE, “Thave looked upon many mighty men. I have seen the great Napoleon in the full flush of his pride and triumph. I have seen Georgo IV—‘the First Gentleman of Europe.’ I have personally known Lord Byron, Sir Walter Scott, Daniel O'Connell, Daniel Webster, and many others of the men most famous in affairs of government, arms, literature, statesmanship, and oratory, but never have Iseen any other man who impressed me, child though I was, as possessing such massive grandeur and dignity of presence as did Gen. George Washington when he stood upon the verandah at Mount Vernon and in a few simple, well-chosen words thanked us for our demonstration of welcome. The impression that he then made upon my childish mind can never be effaced, and of ail the great men whom I have seen since none has been able to depose the Father of His Country from the pedestal of superiority over other men upon which I placed him in my heart that day. IN QUARTERS AND BANQUET HALL. “Down in the negro quarters numerous pot- pies were cooking in ten-gallon kettles and many juicy "possums were roastng before brightly blazing wood-fires. We had no coal in those days, and the winter wood-pile of rosperous planter would make a householder of the present day think that there had been a freshet in the neighborhood. Then in the grand old banquet hall of Mount Vernon, Washington and his country neighbors sat down to one of the old-fashioned rural Vir- ginia suppers of that period. When it had been despatched, the tables were quickly cleared away, and the big boys and “gala” went swinging around in a circle singing, “We are marching, marching to Quebeo While the drums are loudly beating.” “Oh, those were halcyon days indeed in ‘Ole Virgiuny’ when neighbors met together—rich and poor alike—at log rollings, barn raisings, harvestings and huskings, to’ frolic merrily when the work was done, WELCOMED HOME, “I have spoken of the banquet hall at Mount Vernon, Together with the library and the piazza overlooking the Potomac, it was one of the chief features of two new wings that were added to the old mansion in 1785. Two years reviously, on December 23, 1783, Washington ad performed the crowning act of his heroic career by giving into the hands of Congress his commission as commander-in-chief of the armies of a great country, which owed its indi- vidual national life so largely to him, “On the following night—Christmas eve. 1783 —as plain Mr, and Mrs, Washington, he and his wife were welcomed to Mount Vernon with just such another ray demonstration as I have attempted to describe above, and of which I have often heard my father tell. The fame of Washington and of the rapidlygrowing nation which he was regarded as g begotten, drew so many visitors to Mount Vernon that the enlargement of the house was necessary for their fitting entertainment. “There crowd upon me to-day with strange evidences the memories of my subsequent visit Mount Vernon, and of the many times I saw its master in the ‘nearly three remaining years before death closed his earthly career on December 14, 1799 WASHINGTON’S HUMAN SIDE. “No man ever hada more intensely human side than Washington, It was cofnmon talk among the people of our neighborhood that he had a strange weakness fog purchasing lottery tickets. There were also rumors that he had what old Tony Weller would call ‘a am’ble weakness’ for falling in love—platonically or otherwise—with pretty young women, and was greatly annoyed when the aforesaid young women refused to fall in love with him. “Many of our neighbors even went so far as to say that he always traded horses to his own ad- vantage, and ‘Never swap horses with Wash- ington,’ finally became a sort of proverbial say- ing in that section of the old dominion, Though he was unquestionably the richest and most prominent American of his day, he was an unconscionably bad speller, as every- body knows. I have often heard my father say that Washington had great passions, but held them in magnificent control; and that, though remarkably talkative to confidential friends, he was singularly taciturn when there was any likelihood of what he said being repeated or made public, He always asked a blessing at table, where he had his glass of wine or mug of beer at every meal, and was a healthy, cheerful, active man, who enjoyed life as if it were worth living. CLOSE BUSINESS SUPERVISION. No man was ever more thoroughly famil- iar with every detail of his affairs or ever gave to his estate a closer personal supervision, His natural great that he could well. afford to do, and did do, many things that were very | unusual for a planter of his condition and time. Those were the days when the women pulled the flax while the men broke, ‘swingled’ and hackelled it and then twisted it into little cues for the women to spin and weave. I have seen the immortal George stoop down and pull flax to show some green hand among the negro women how it should be done. ‘This flax raising was one of the chief in- dustries of Mount Vernon, and even now, I fancy I can see there, bleaching in the sun, the long strips—white as snow—from which sheets, pillow slips, table cloths, towels, shirts and pants were made, In my mind’s eye I see again the female slaves’ carding wool—with hand cards—into rolls ready to spin on their big wheels. In imagination I hear them singing the uaint old plantation hymns and folk songs of the south as those wheels go round, while mov- ing ubiquitously over every part of the estate. Isee once more the tall, erect figure of the master. “Then there comes to me the mem- ory of how the whole country was startled by the sudden announcement ‘of his death, on December 14, 1799, after a very brief illness, and of how the whole population was plunged into mourning for the i of a@ great oe eee and a good man.” Ga. W, ©. THE CITY OF WASHINGTON. How the First President Provided For a Splendid Capital. WASHINGTON’S PERSONAL INTEREST IN THE PLAN- ‘NING OF THE FEDEBAL CITY—THE SITE SELECTED RY HIM—A PLAN THAT WAS CRITICIZED AS EZ- TRAVAGANT—THE PUBLIC BUILDINGS. There is one achievement in the life of Gen. Washington which has never had just recogni- tion. It is, of course, known that he selected the site of this city, approved the plan upon which it was laid out,and determined the loeation of the principal public buildings and chose the designs of their tion. It is not, however, generally known that he directed rsonally the details of the work in- Veived in founding a new city. For the last! sion and dignity was 50 | nine years of his life his cor has never been fully publis! but is scattered about in various tions, a great deal of it aut on juestions portance rerpecd upin connection with the new city. es ht can be Se ee e city was planned on a scale of magnificence, providing or its wonderful expansion. ‘Wash- ington believed that a t future lay before he carried his belief dence, which the infant republic, into practical operation, LOOKING INTO THE FUTURE. As early as the year 1793, two years after the site had been selected, in writing to the com- missioners relative to the plan of the White House, he says, “I was led to this idea by con- sidering that a house which would be very proper for a President of the United States for some years might not be considered as corre- sponding with other circumstances at a more istant period.” So,when the French engineer L’Enfant presented for his approvals plan of the nev city comprising some 7,100 acres with ave- nues feet wide and four miles long, with nota single street less than 80 feet wide and with acres reserved at different points for parks and public buildings, Washington saw nothing extravagant or ridiculous in the plan. Many of his contem- poraries did. For along period after Wash- ington’s death visitors to capital city alter- nately smiled and mourned over a plan which had resulted in astraggling village, and in streets which were bordered by dreary com- mons instead of habitations, The White House, it was said, was ON A TOO EXTENSIVE SCALE, and the capitol was considered to be such an immense building that the original plan to erect a building for the judiciary was aban- doned, and the Supreme Court was given ac- commodation there. Washington issued build- ing regulations for the new city, which at first prohibited the erection of frame buildings. He was anxious that the Paulding lota should be sold to individuals who would improve them, and not in large blocks for speculative pur- poses. But before the work had reached this stage Washington had given much time and thought to the new city. For six or seven years prior to 1790, the year when the act was passed authorizing the location of the seat of government on the banks of the Potomac, Con- gress had been debating and considering the question of a location. Sites on the Delaware, on the Susquehanna, at Annapolis, Baltimore, and even in New York state, had found adyo- cates in Congress, Bill after bill was introduced and long debates were held. The north was arrayed against the south, and finally a compromise was reached and the Potomac site was chosen. As if glad to be rid of a troublesome matter Congress threw the greater part of the responsi- bility,upon President Washington. He was directed to select a site not less than ten miles square,on the eastern shore of the Potomac, between the Eastern Branch and a point eighty miles north, It is not known that Washington had taken any part in the contest which had been waged so many years in Congress over the choice of a location. INSPECTING THE COUNTRY. But as soon as the bill was passed he entered upon the discharge of his duties with alacrity. Although familiar with the country, having traversed the entire length of the Potomac in the interests of the Potomac improvement com- pany, he went over the ground again, and there is a tradition of his having visited Williamsport, Md., which is near the Conogocheaugue, pro- nounced Conogochig, the northern limit named in the bill. However, he selected the plain lying between the Eastern branch and Kock creek, and in company with L'Enfant he made acareful inspection of the ground with the view of laying out the plan of the city, He had a number of conferences with the proprietors of the land at Suter’s tavern in Georgetown. THE AGREEMENT WITH THE LANDHOLDERS, The result of these negotiations was an- nounced on the 8d of March, 1791, by Wash- ington in a letter to Jefferson, as follows: “The terms entered into by me, on the part of the United States, with the landholders of Georgetown and Carrollsburg are that all the land from Rock creek along the river to the East- ern branch, and go upward to or above the ferry, including a breadth of about a mile and a half, the whole containing from 3,000 to 5,000 acres, is ceded to the public on condition that when the whole is laid off as acity (which Major L’Enfant is directed to do) the present pro- prietors shall retain every other lot, and for such parts of the land as may be taken for pub- lic use for squares, walks, &c., they shall be allowed at the rate of £25 an acre (in Maryland money 663 doliars). Nothing is to be aliowed for the ground which may be occupied for streets and alleys,” Mr. Jefferson replied: “The acquisition of ground at Georgetown is really noble, consid- ering that only £25 an acre is to be paid for any grounds taken for the public, and the streets not to be counted, which will, in fact, reduce it to about £19 an acre. I think very ss reserves should be made for the pub- THE FIRST COMMISSIONERS, The law authorizing the location of a new city did not appropriate a penny to enable the President to carry out the provisions of the bill. The President was empowered to appoint a board of three commissioners to have charge of the work, and Congress directed that public buildings be erected for the accommodation of Congress and the executive departments, and that the seat of government should be removed to the new city in the year 1800. Washington appointed as members of the board of commis- sioners Gen, Thomas Johnson, who was an inti- mate friend and comrade during the Revolu- tionary war; Daniel Carroll, a member of the famous Maryland family of that name, and Dr. Stuart, a practicing physician residing at Alex- andria. As there was no money available ex- cept the donations of the states of Maryland and Virginia, Washington was anxious that the sale of lots, providing the only other source of revenue, should begin as soon as possible, L'Enfant was directed to hasten the prepara- tion of his map, and had made good progress when he became involved ina quarrel with the commissioners, L’Enfant had a rather quick temper, and as Washington explained in a letter to the commissioners, dated November 20, 1791, “Men who possess talents which fit them for peculiar purposes are almost invaria- bly under the influence of untoward disposi- tions, or asottish pride, or possessed of some other disqualifications by which they plague all those with whom they are concerned; but I did not expect to meet with such perverseness in hee Enfant as his late conduct exhib- ited.” THE L'ENFANT MAP. Ina letter written some years later, 1797, re- lative to the complaint of Mr. Davidson, one of the proprietors, that the ground now known as Lafayette square had been reserved for the public, alterations have been made trom L'Enfant’s plan by Major Ellicott. with the approbation of the executive, is not denied. ‘That some were deemed essential is avowed, and had it not been for the materials which he happened to possess it is probable that no engraving from L’Enfant’s drafts ever would have been exhibited to the public. For after the dis- agreement took place between him and the commissioners, his obstinacy threw every diffi- culty in the way of its accomplishment, To this summary may be added that Mr. Davidson is mistaken if he supposes that the transmission of Major L'Enfant’s plan of the city to Congr was the completion thereof. So far from it, it will appear by the message which accompanied the same that it was given asa matter of informe, tion only to show what state the business was in and the return of it requested; that neither house of Congress passed any act consequent thereupon; that it remained as before under the control of the executive; that afterward several errors were discovered and corrected, many alterations made and the appropriations, except as to the capitol and the President's house, struck out under that authority before at was sent to the engravet, intending that work and the promulgation, therefore, were to give the final and regulating stamp.” MAJOR ELLICOTT’S APPOINTMENT. After L’Enfant’s dismissal Major Ellicott was appointed surveyor of the city, and he pre- pared the first engraved map of the city, which, however, preserved the essential feat- ste peat lan. ‘0 show how Washington attended to the de- tails of the affairs of the new city, a letter to the commissioners, dated October 21, 1796, states: ‘As the business of the executive ofti- cers will be chiefly, if not altogether, the President, sites for their offices o1 mb tebe con: venient to his residence; but, Peg 4 identical et can be better chosen on the the plan of the Sy before one the ” latter alone, I sh: it eptincccy Sho Postpone my decision until hope it will not be forgotten ident [Washington], at a ting ber him- self ply the ete of thet oat the city, luced the plan of the city which he fad determined to Sion placing the for the and War b pring the }, and that this took be- Gen. Washington says, “That many.| 7; Mr. Carroll, Mr. Burns, and others in the city umstance here must remember the circ men- green Venetian blinds, and the remainder was i with black leather curtains, The lat- tioned. Nor can you have forgotten, gentle-| ter might be raised so as to make the coach men, that President Weshinglon ued'cn the quite open im fine-weather. actual for these buildi when on his way to in October, 1796.” WASHINGTON'S LAST LETTER. After Washington returned from the presi- dency he still manifested great interest in the new city. The last letter he wrote while Presi- dent on the subject of the city was dated March 8, 1797. On the next day President Adams was inaugurated. This letter is as follows: “Three things relative to the city of Washing- ton call for my decision, and this is the last day I have power to Five any. The first respects the dispute with the law tending the convey- = of lots; the second to my approbation of e in your letter of the 3ist of January. With re- gard to the a however hard and unexpected the case as it effects the public interest, whatever my private opinion om some points may be, 1 think it safest, and all things considered perhaps the best to let the opinion of the law officer of the govern- ment herewith enclosed prevail, and I advise it accordingly. The second not cose meets my approbation, but is much approved also by the heads of ents, and may, when the funds and others circumstances will permit, be carried into effect, for which purpose the plan was returned with my approving signature. On the other or third point the bill for incorporating the commissioners of the city of Washington has not been passed into ® law in consequence of the superior claim of more important matters upon be ciention of Congress in the close of the present session, The instrument you trans- mitted to me, as mentioned before, having been altered according to the advice of the Attorney-General, you will herewith receive formally executed. Another matter occurs which is necessary to apprise you of. In your letter of the 31st of January it is said we have forwarded to the Secretary of State a plat of the city under cover to Messrs. Willinck, with all the property particularly designated on the face of it, and have written to those gentlemen Leet them to forward the loan by all means in their power. Inquiring the other day of the Secretary if it was in the dispatches, he an- nounced that no such packet had been re- ceived by him. Your letter of the 27th ult. is received, andI am sorry your prospect of a loan in Holland is so bad.” RELICS OF WASHINGTON. The Coach He Rode In, the Watch He Wore, and Other Articles He Used. In and about the city of Washington are many relics of the first President. Photo- graphs of the large collection of such relics in the National museum, which include articles of of furniture used at Mount Vernon, china ware, camp utensils, clothing, and many interesting articles now of priceless value have been sent to New York, and will add interest to the relics collected there for exhibition during the cele- bration. The National museum collection was recently described in Tne Star. WASHINGTON’S COACH. Among the most important of the relics to be shown there is the coach used by Washing- ns for the executive office, and the} third, to the instrument you transmitted to me | SILVER CANDLESTICK. The bed and bedstead on which Washington died are at Arlington house. The bedstead is made of mahogany. and was manufactured in New York in 1789. It is remarkable for its size, being 6 feet square. It was in constant use in the bed-chamber of Gen. and Mrs. Washington, from the time of its manufacture until his death, The bed and bedding remain in pre- cisely the same condition as when Washington was borne from his chamber to his tomb. aes ach WATCH, BEATy A rare relic to be shown in New York is Washington’s watch. This is a flat, gold one, and manufactured by Lepine, watchmaker to the king,” and became the property of Bushrod Washington, the general's nephew who in- herited Mount Vernon. Our engraving shows the watch, ribbon, seal and key on a scale one- third less than the objects themselves, The stones of the seal and key are cornelian; the former white and the latter red, and the polygonal in form. The dial is of white enamel; the seconds figures carmine red, the case of standard gold. A memento of Washington presented after his death to the Washington Benevolent soci- ety of Philadelphia is a Masonic apron, a gift to Washington from Madame Lafayette. This ton when President, This was one of the best | apron was wrought by Madame Latayette and | WASHINGTON’S MASONIC APRON. of its kind, heavy and substantial. The body and wheels were a cream color, with giltmould- ings, and the former was suspended upon heavy leathern straps, which rested upon iron springs. Portions of the'sides of the upper part, as well'as the front and ere furnis! with neat bronght by Lafayette from France, when he visited his distinguished brother at Mount Ver- non. It is made of white satin with the various emblems of the order in rich embroidery. It was kept by Washington as a cherished memor- ial of a noble woman. FAMILY SUPPLIES. apres: "Tauror MAKER. S GUARANTEED. Ladies’ own tuaterial made facturer of the celebrated love-fitting, Ready-cut Waist Lining, copy- righted, These Linings are suaranteed to make a per- feet es sty lish fitting “oat and Sleeves. Price Je r~ Lw" GE 2. O. WHITE, 1110 F ST. « C. Warts, NEW STOCK OF SUMMER CORSETS. Every pair warranted. 5 F ST. N. W. ap10-1m CARRYING ON DR cK d like the patronag: rate prices and perfect fit, c api APANESE GK. eo fans, 5c. aud 1 8, 500.> SCROLLS, 1: materials for making’ pape flowers scrap pictures, studies for painting. “Gold paint, 10c. Toys, games, lanterns, flags, note paper, and envelopes. quh20-2m" J. JAY GOULD, 421 9th st. Lavns: Tanna News MERTZ & COMPAN ¥. LADIES’ DEPARTMENT in charge of Mr. U. ‘Wagner, late of New York. Habits, Jackets, Cloth Costumes to order at very reasonable prices, Whether you purchase your material of us oF not we will be equally pleased to take your order. Fit and workmanship first-class. Model Fitting Patterns cut to measure, 604 117H STREET ¥. W. ap10-3m ‘ADAME VALMONT WISHES TO INFORM HER patrous that she is now prepared to execute all orders. Renovating aud cleaning fine lace curtains, laces of all description, suinmuer dresses, her 7 old st st, 3 UPERKFLUOS HAIR PERMANENTLY REMOVED by electric needle without injuring the kin or lewv- ig @ mark, MS. DR, GABRIEL, aps-lin* 1321 G stu. w. Mie M. J. Prasos, 1329 F st. n.w., at Mrs. Harrison's, FINE FRENCH HAIR GOODS, Also, SELECT ORNAMENTS FOR THE HAIR. HAIR DRESSED. BANGS SHINGLED. ap2-lm* SHAMPOOING. ‘HE FEDOKA DRESS SHIELDS ARE PRO. nara, an, WSU ARD & Lata i sale everywhere, Jal ¥-co Kusrsenrs Dress Surexps, ABSOLUTELY THE BEST AND MOST RELI. LESS PURE RU} ARIOUS OTHER DRESS SHI EVERY PAIR WARRANTED. UR and name (KLEINEKT) on every mhl-3m BEWARE OF IMITATION, a aaa Ree eee oe Eee ae ARTCC SEMENTS MADE UP OF RIPPED AND tolerate : Weare, alt Bec. per Tb, She. Biickwleat! tor so. :°7 gtx . for 25c. Tb. Breakfast Ho forse Sq Beer f ibe Turkian Prunes WwW: H. COMBS, 924 9TH ST. N. W, IMPORTED and Domestic Groceries, Fine Wines and Liquors, &c. The following well-known brands of Pure Rye Whiskies constantly in stock: Old J. B, Thompson* Baker, Upper Ten, Hannis Acme, Takoma, Jackson and Grand Jury. mib1 5-2 *Bawat Ven SPRING WHEAT PATENT FLOUR is the Premier Flour of the World, ‘The only Minnesota Patent now made from all old wheat. For sale by the following well-known grocers: JOHN H. MAGRUDER, 1417 New York ava, CHAS. 1. KELLOGG Masonic Temple, thst GEO. FE. KENNEDY & SON, 1209 Fst W. E. ABBOTT, 1721 Pennsylvaniaave, R. A. WALKER, 1600 7th st. E. M. BURCHARD & BRO., Penn. ave. and 43¢st G. W. & H. W. OFFUTT, Georgetown. A. O. WRIGHT, 1632 14th st, P. F. BACON, Pennsylvaniaave, aS-wks SeQraR OF THE EAST," FANCY PATENT PRO- [> LTS See Four, 80.79 per bbl. 1.75 per 4 bbl sack: “Old Tune” Flour, 5.90 per bvL: 81.50 per % bul, sack. Perfection Tea, wledged by all who use it fo be worth double our price, which, is 0c. per Ib. 2ige. per bs. Turkish Prunes + Bgts Beans fc 2 ihe: Dried Fesc for 2. hes (peeled) for 5c. 4 Ibs. Evaporated Apples for 25c. Rumford Yeast Powder, yas — 0c 6 ibe. ~e~e a =. 9 cakes cl ud Harry Soap tor 2oc. cakes Aro- matic Soap for 25c, cakes Plymouth Rock Soap for aa teet ry 4 WOOD AND COAL COAL MERCHANT, Wholesale and Retail Anthracite Coal of all kinds constantly on hand, GEORGE'S CREEK CUMBERLAND COAL. FINEST GRADES of SPLINT AND CANNEL COAL. Sawed and Split Wood to Order. Yard and Office, 3008 Water street; Branch Offics, 2214 siet treet (apposite Fost-otice), West Washing? ‘elephone—Yard, 954-2; Branch office, 956-2. mh20 Coax: Coxe: Woon: JOHNSON BROTHERS, ‘Wharves and Rail yards, 12th & Water sta. Southwest 1202 Fst. nw. 1516 7het. aw. ‘Sdand Kst.n. w. 1940 Pa ave. n. w. 1112 0th st. nw. | Vania Kailroad, bt RATLROADS. HE GREAT oo shay PENNSYLVANTA TO THE NokIH, WEST, AN DOUBLE TRACK. SPLEN STEEL RAILS MAGNIFIC IN EPFRCT APRI CORNER OF SINTH AND B Lows: z For Pittsburg and the We Lami of Pullman Vestibuled Carat © 50e.tu, daily ; Past Line, 9:50 a.m. daily to Cincinnati and St. Louis, With Sleeping Cars from Pi and Harrisbu fo wcofatur Car Altoona to © M Proms, at 740 p.m, daily, with Sleeping mm to Chicagy and st. Louis, commect= larrnebure with through Sleepers for Pacitic Express 10 p.m. foe daily at Louisville and Memphis. Quly, for Pittsburg and the West, with throug Bleeyer to TASROre, aud Pittsburg to Chik BALTIMORE OTOMAC KRATLROAD. rie, Canandaigua and Kochester daily ; for Buf. falo and Niagara daily except Saturday, 10 DP. Diy with Sleeping Car Washington to Rochester, For Witliamsport, Lock Haven aud Elmira, at 2:50a Por Kany, gxcert Sunday. any andi New York and the Last, 7-20, ®, 1Land - 10, 4:10, 10 and ‘1126p 'm. On Sunday, 9, 11:40 a m., 230,420, 1 411-207. m. Limited Express of Pullman: Parlor Care, 8408.0, daily, except Sunday at 3:45 p.m daily, with ir. without change. 2:10 p.m. every day. For, Brooklyn, N. ¥.. ail uch trains conpert at City with boatsof Brooklyn Annex, afford- ing direct trauster to Fulton street, avoiding ie fern Y For, Philadel hia, land 1140a.m,; ‘20 p.m. “On Sun. Pirlor Care'6t ‘daily, with Dining el . Su ALEXANDRIA D. FREDERICKSBURG RAIL- WAY, AND ALEXANDRIA AND WASHINGTON KAILROAD, For Alexandria, 4:30, 6 m5 1208 mom and 6-21 p. m, daily ans leave Alexau 00, 9:10, 7209.8 x keta and inforn ner of 133th street station, where m. jon at the oftice, northeast cor d Penusyly orders can be le: tion from hot eswee Mail, daily for Warren- riottesville, Lynchburg, aud xandria and Lynchturg, Roanoke, Kome, Calera, Montgomery, ab: Sleeper Wasi to'New ville, Greensboro’, Solumbia, Aiken, Au: m, Montgomery. New ; ew Orleanm. any dor Sleepers for Birmingham,Vicksburg: port, Pulliuan Sleeper Grecusboro’ to Co- Augusta and Washington to Morristown, is Salisbury. Pullman Sleepers Charlottes- to Cincinnati. “Sunday's train runs anly to Clif- = rze ou ©. and VU. route, Sulid trains Washington to uta, m. except Sunday, for Manassas, 8t ea diate station 6:11 p.m. s kxpressduily via Lynchburg, Bristol vova. Pullman Vestibule Sleepers Washington to Memphis, counecting theuce for all Arkansas points. tern Express, daily for Manassas, Culpeper, Grange. Charlottesville, Staunton, Louis. ville, Cuncinuati. Pullman Sleepers to Louisville and Solid Trains Washington to Cincinnati, viaC. & O. te Southern Express daily for Lynchburg, Kaleigh, Asheville, Charlotte, Columbia, ta, Atlanta, Montgomery, New Orleana, Pullman Vestibule Car ‘Wash: Mout mith via Charlot! Washington 6 Bristol and L via Chesaj ‘at 5:40 p.m. and iu. Strasburg Local at 10:13 icket furnished s)lvania 7 JAS. L. Leave Washington avenue aud C stree For Chicag: orthwest, Vestibuled Limited ex- 8:55 a.m. express p.m. ineiniati, St. Louis, and Ludianapolia, express, 3:00 and 11:10 p,m. Pittsbury aud Cleveland, Vestibuled Limited ex- pres@daily S n. and express 9:05 p.1n, For Lexington and Local Stations +10:10 am, For week days, 5:00 3 8:30, 9 40, 8:30 a. m., 12:10 5 Sundays, 8:30" am. minutes 1025 am, 00. 4 7.50, 8:0) 10:05, 10: li: ry For Annapolis, 6:40 and 5 30, Pm. On Sundays, 2 4:33 p.m, Leave An- polis 6:40, S37 & 03, 4:10 pan, 8 mn, 4:10 p.m. F Stations on the Metropolitan Branch, +6:35, 10a.u,, §1:15 pan. for principal ststulis ouly #435 wud th: 30pm dg ‘in leaves Washington on Sunday at 1-15 u at all stations ou Metropolitan Brapch, For ck, 110:10 a. a, t4:30 and 15:30p. ma Sundays, 1:15 p.m, For Hagerstown, 10:10 m. and t5-30 p.m. ‘Tratus arrive from Chicazo daily 8:35". i. am 9:35 p. m.; from Cincinnati and st. Louis daily 6-2 3 Pmt krom Pittsburg “8-35 0 my p. ma, NEW YORK & PHILADELPHIA DIVISION. For New York, Trenton, N + 8:00, *9:30, 11:23 a. m. tibuled Iinnited) abd *10:30 pom! But da: Sleeping Car on on all day trains, open at 9:00 p.m. For Philadelphia, and 78:00, °9:30, *11-25 am, » “8:00 and 10 m. ‘For Atiantic Ci 25 a.m, For inter” ediate nore Philadelphia, id +430 p. mm, and Trains leave tk for aahington, 6 £21.00 amm.. “1:30, “2:30, oe cirwry be 5 rains leave Philadelphia for Washington, *4:1 “8:15, 11:40 a. m, thd, “4:15, "5:15, aud *7 2 P. Except Sunday. ‘Daily. {Sunday only. Baxiure called for and checked frou Wotels and remie deuices by Clion Trauste yrders left wt ticket wate 0. SCULL, mb22 POTOMAC KIVER BOATS, — or -- OTOMAC TRANSPURIATION LINE. For Baltimore and Rt dings, capt, Geosleran, Ieahes epee rat] Sunday at ¢0.c0ek gan Fer further information TEPHENSON & BRO, mh6-6m . ‘7th et. wharf. M¢ YeeNon: MI. VEKNON! SPY RGRDDECTSCHER LLOYD 8.8.00. Fast ‘Bi To Southampton ‘London, Havtes, Bremen. Trave, Wed, 7 atm." Fulde, "Se “ fete Sos Oc oa oh upward a ‘ecoording to location. and $60 an adult; steerage at low rales, Apply F'Dhoor, 023 boasaee HRs eae rer and 1 ree the Continent, Steamers