A manual on the origin and development of Washington

When the seat of government was moved from Philadelphia to Washington in the year 1800 there had been erected for the purposes of the Government a small rectangular building, familiarly known to-day as the Supreme Court section of the Capitol, and in this building were housed the Senate, the House of Representatives, the Supreme Court, the courts of the District of Columbia, and the library, now known as the Library of Congress. South of this building was a large vacant space, practically the extension of East Capitol Street. Through this area people from the western and eastern parts of the city passed to and fro. Conveniently located in that section now occupied by the central portion were two wells, which for many years furnished water to citizens residing in that vicinity, for the Capitol Grounds were then occupied by residences. South of this vacant space were the foundations of another building, equal in area and intended to compare in cubic contents with the portion already erected and occupied. For some time after the inauguration of President Jefferson but little was done toward the erection of the southern building, now known as the Statuary Hall section, except that the foundation walls progressed slowly, and within the area of these walls there was built a 1-story elliptical-shaped building of brick construction, known to the people of that period as “The Oven,” designed for the accommodation of the House of Representatives and occupied until 1807, when the Hall of the House of Representatives was completed. In 1800 there were 32 Senators and 106 Members of the House.

Thomas Jefferson sought the assistance of the best talent of the country to complete the Capitol, and on March 6, 1803, appointed Benjamin H. Latrobe, whose fame as an architect had caused his services to be in such great demand in several cities that he could not immediately take up his residence in Washington. But he arranged to assume the duties of Architect of the Capitol by personal visits to the city and made a thorough study of the plans for the Capitol. The plans for the Hall of the House of Representatives as developed by Mr. Latrobe required sculptural decoration, and this was made the subject of an interesting letter on March 6, 1805, addressed to Philip Mazzei, an Italian physician, asking for assistance in selecting a sculptor:

The principal sculpture required was 24 Corinthian capitals, 2 feet 4 inches in diameter at their feet and open enriched entablatures of 147 feet (both English measure) in length. Also five panels (tavole) enriched with foliage and an eagle of colossal size in the frieze, the distance between the tips of the extended wings to be 12 feet 6 inches. As to material, yellowish sandstone of fine grain was to be used.

The later history of the Capitol will be found on page 219.

THE WHITE HOUSE

The most definite description of the White House as it existed during its earlier days is to be found in American Scenery, published in London in 1840 and edited by Nathaniel Parker Willis, who writes as follows:

The White House as it is at present is described on page 261.

OCTAGON HOUSE

Octagon House is a beautiful example of early American architecture. It is situated at the corner of Eighteenth Street and New York Avenue NW., two blocks west of the White House, and was built in the year 1800 by Col. John Tayloe from designs by the Architect of the United States Capitol, Dr. William Thornton. It is said President Washington himself selected the site for his friend.

The building is a fine, octagonal brick structure, Georgian in design, with a central circular hall and a noteworthy staircase. The materials used in its construction, including beautiful sculptured mantels, were brought from England. Gardens surrounded it, and the old brick stables and smokehouse still close the vista from the stair landing.

The house was the center of official and social life as the home of the Tayloe family. It achieved particular distinction when used as the Executive Mansion by President Madison for more than a year after the burning of the White House by the British in 1814.

The building was later used at various times as a Government office building. The Government Hydrographic Office, with its drafting rooms, was located there, and the building was also used for storage. During the 139 years it appears to have suffered little from damage and deterioration.

The Octagon House became the home of the American Institute of Architects on January 1, 1899, through the particular efforts of Charles F. McKim, Cass Gilbert, and Frank Miles Day, former presidents of the institute, and complete ownership of the property was acquired in the year 1902.

One of its present treasures is the table on which the treaty of Ghent was signed by President Madison.

DOLLY MADISON HOUSE

The Dolly Madison House, at the corner of H Street and Madison Place NW., adjacent to Lafayette Square, was built by Dolly Madison’s brother-in-law in 1818.

After the death of President Madison in 1833 Mrs. Madison returned to Washington and resided in the house until her death in 1849. In her day it was a little gray residence, but a place where she presided as a charming hostess for many years. The purchase by Congress of the Madison Papers for $30,000 made it possible for her to live there. Born in the year 1768, she became intimately acquainted with many who took part in the Revolutionary War, and through her long life linked her generation with that of the present day.

Among the men and women of importance who were frequent visitors in her home, who exerted an influence to strengthen the seat of government and became noted characters in American history, were Mr. and Mrs. John Quincy Adams, Henry Clay, Daniel Webster, Mrs. Alexander Hamilton, Mrs. Stephen Decatur, Mrs. William Thornton, Mrs. Tobias Lear, and Gen. John Peter Van Ness.

During the Civil War the house was occupied by Gen. George B. McClellan, at that time in command of the Army of the Potomac, and about the year 1885 the house was purchased by the Cosmos Club, which now occupies it.

DECATUR HOUSE

The Decatur House, located at the corner of H Street and Jackson Place NW., was designed by Benjamin Latrobe and built about 1819 by Commodore Stephen Decatur, it is said, from Barbary pirates’ prize money.

Scarcely had the house been completed and through the trophies of the naval hero made a place of great interest when, on March 22, 1820, Decatur was mortally wounded in a duel with Commodore James Barron which took place at Bladensburg, Md. Decatur died in his home that night and was buried at Kalorama, a prominent estate in those days in northwest Washington.

Thereupon Henry Clay, who was then a Member of the House of Representatives and subsequently Secretary of State in the Cabinet of John Quincy Adams, occupied the Decatur House. After the Civil War the house was bought by Gen. Edward H. Beale, a friend of General Grant. It was inherited by Truxton Beale, who resided there many years.

OTHER HISTORICAL HOUSES

Other houses adjacent to Lafayette Square and the White House grounds which became historically important were:

The Cameron House, adjacent to the Dolly Madison House, was built in 1828 by Benjamin Ogle Tayloe. Later it was altered somewhat to suit the fine taste of Mrs. Cameron, wife of James Donald Cameron, who served as a Senator from the State of Pennsylvania from 1877 to 1897. The Cameron House to-day is occupied by the Cosmos Club, which, as has been stated, also occupies the Dolly Madison House. The beautiful gardens surrounding it are a source of much pleasure.

The Van Ness Mansion formerly stood on the site now occupied by the Pan American Building, near Seventeenth Street and Constitution Avenue.

The Rodgers House was occupied by Secretary of State Seward at the time he and his son were nearly fatally stabbed on the night President Lincoln was assassinated. In 1895 the house was torn down to make way for an opera house, called the Lafayette Square Opera House, and later the Belasco Theater.

John Hay, Secretary of State under Presidents McKinley and Roosevelt, lived at Sixteenth and H Streets.

The home of George Bancroft was at No. 1623 H Street. Here he completed his History of the United States.

The historian Henry Adams, grandson of President John Quincy Adams, lived at 1605 H Street.

Lord Ashburton lived in the large square house next to the old Arlington Hotel, at H Street and Vermont Avenue. Charles Sumner also lived near by.

The Corcoran House stood at the corner of H Street and Connecticut Avenue, where now stands the Chamber of Commerce of the United States. In that house Daniel Webster lived while Secretary of State under Presidents William Henry Harrison and Zachary Taylor.

The original Corcoran Gallery of Art Building stands at the corner of Pennsylvania Avenue and Seventeenth Street.

No. 22 Jackson Place, now the home of the Women’s City Club, was the house of President Polk’s Secretary of War, William L. Marcy. The house was occupied by President and Mrs. Roosevelt for a few months while the White House was being restored in 1901.

GEORGETOWN

Georgetown was laid out pursuant to an act of the Province of Maryland dated June 8, 1751, passed in response to a petition of a number of inhabitants, who stated that “there was a convenient place for a town on the Potomac River above the mouth of Rock Creek,” and recommended that 60 acres be there laid out for a town. The town was never incorporated as a city, but was commonly called the city of Georgetown as a consequence of the casual reference to it by that title in numerous acts of Congress.

The general supposition is that Georgetown was so named in honor of George II, then the reigning sovereign of Great Britain, but it is also contended that it was named as a compliment to George Gordon and George Beall, the owners of the 60-acre tract, and from whom the site was obtained. The town was subsequently surveyed and divided into 80 lots. On December 25, 1789, the town was incorporated by an act of the General Assembly of Maryland, with a mayor, recorder, aldermen, and common council. The first mayor was appointed for a term of one year, to commence January 1, 1790.

The streets in the part of Georgetown laid out under the act of June 8, 1751, were acquired by the public in practically the same manner in which the title to the original streets of the city of Washington was derived.

Georgetown was enlarged by numerous additions, until, as calculated by the surveyor of the District of Columbia, it embraced about 543 acres. Its charter was revoked by the act of Congress of February 21, 1871, by which its name was retained as a topographical designation until its consolidation with Washington by the act of February 11, 1895, which stated it “shall be known as and shall constitute a part of the city of Washington.” By this act the Commissioners of the District of Columbia were authorized to change the names of the streets and avenues of Georgetown to conform to those of Washington as far as practicable. At the time of the consolidation the population of Georgetown was about 15,000.

Soon after its establishment Georgetown became a prominent port, and one of the interesting places there to-day is the old customhouse. A number of mills, the ruins of which can still be seen, were there. It is said that flour shipped in colonial times from Georgetown to Europe was so good that consignees did not think it necessary to open the barrels for inspection. Tobacco and corn were the two other chief exports. Georgetown University was established in 1789, the year George Washington was inaugurated as the first President of the Republic. The Chesapeake and Ohio Canal, 182 miles long, commenced in 1828, had its beginning in Georgetown. It cost $13,000,000. Georgetown’s exports in 1792 amounted to $348,539. Much coal was also shipped to Alexandria for towns on the Atlantic coast.

Georgetown also became noted for the many fine houses which were built there, such as Tudor Place, Woodley, the Oaks, Montrose, the Bowie Mansion, and Bellevue, later known as the Rittenhouse Mansion. In the early days, while houses in the new Federal City were being built, many Members of Congress preferred to travel the dusty road from the Capitol to Georgetown because of the suitable residences there in which they could live.

Among the mansions near Georgetown, to be mentioned here, is Arlington Mansion (described fully on page 309), built in 1802 by George Washington Parke Custis, the adopted son of President Washington. The original Arlington estate comprised 6,000 acres. The design of the portico of the house resembles that of the Temple of Theseus at Athens, which stands to-day one of the best-preserved buildings of antiquity. Mr. Custis lived there till his death in 1857. He entertained Lafayette at Arlington during his visit to the United States in 1824.

FRANCIS SCOTT KEY MANSION

The Francis Scott Key Mansion, at Georgetown, stands remodeled as a store building on old Bridge Street, now M Street, one-half block from the Francis Scott Key Bridge. Originally it was a 3-story “colonial” brick building, which stood there as such until about the year 1917, when the Francis Scott Key Bridge was built to replace the old Aqueduct Bridge.

Entering the front door at the left of the building, there was a spacious hall extending through the entire house. At the right of the hall were two large parlors. In the basement was the dining room, kitchen, and “cold room,” a room bricked up and used as a refrigerator and pantry. In the second story were two large bedrooms and a large hall. The third story contained four bedrooms. The window frames were small, 4 by 6 inches, supported in heavy sashes, as was the custom in building such houses.

In the rear of the house was a beautiful garden, which sloped gracefully to the river. The Chesapeake & Ohio Canal was later built through it. This area is now occupied by factories, warehouses, and store buildings.

Mr. Key, an attorney and poet, lived here with his family many years, and resided here at the time of the bombardment of Fort McHenry. Near by was his law office, a little brick building.

In 1814, while the British fleet was in Chesapeake Bay, Mr. Key attempted to secure the release of his friend Dr. William Beane, of Marlboro, Md., who had been captured. He was held on shipboard during the shelling of Fort McHenry on the night of September 13. Key’s anxiety became intense. With the first approach of dawn Mr. Key turned his eyes in the direction of the fort and its flag, but darkness had given place to a heavy fog. Finally, through a vista in the smoke and vapor he could dimly see the flag of his country. Overjoyed and inspired by the sight, he composed The Star-Spangled Banner. This is now our national anthem by an act of Congress approved March 3, 1931, as follows:

The historic flag that flew over Fort McHenry is on exhibition at the Historical Museum of the Smithsonian Institution.

TUDOR PLACE

Tudor Place, located at Thirty-first and Q Streets NW., is one of the fine examples of the architecture of the early days of the Republic in Washington. It was designed by Dr. William Thornton, Architect of the Capitol, and built about 1805 by Thomas Peter, who was one of the original landowners of the District of Columbia. Mr. Peter married Martha Parke Custis, Mrs. Washington’s granddaughter. Tudor Place is still the residence of lineal descendants of Martha Washington and contains many heirlooms of the family. General Lafayette and other distinguished visitors were entertained here.

Tudor Place to-day is well preserved, and its gardens give it added beauty.

ROCK CREEK CHURCH (ST. PAUL’S) IN ROCK CREEK CEMETERY

Rock Creek Church is to the north of the Soldiers’ Home. The original building was erected by the people of the Eastern Branch and Rock Creek in 1719 in what was then St. Paul’s Parish, and was for many years the oldest parish church in the District of Columbia. It was rebuilt in 1775 and remodeled in 1868. It burned on April 6, 1921, but was again rebuilt.

In 1726 the separation of this parish from St. John’s (Georgetown) marked a religious era in the future National Capital. Of the seven men appointed to establish the town of Georgetown, five were officers of this parish.

In the cemetery surrounding the church is the famous Adams Memorial by Saint-Gaudens.

CHRIST CHURCH

Although Washington had been planned as a city in 1791, it did not become the actual seat of government until 1800. It was necessary, therefore, for those desiring a Protestant Episcopal Church in Washington to apply to the Maryland Assembly. This application was made and an act passed to form a new parish to be known as Washington Parish.

On May 25, 1795, a meeting was held, and the parish of Christ Church, Washington Parish, was incorporated and vestrymen elected. At this meeting Rev. George Ralph was appointed the first rector.

The first services were held in an old building, originally used as a tobacco barn, located on New Jersey Avenue near D Street SE.

On May 6, 1806, two offers of sites for a new church were made. The one by William Prout—the present site—was accepted, and in 1807 the present building was erected. Three free pews were set aside—one for the use of the President of the United States; one for Mr. Prout, the donor of the land; and the third for the rector. The church stands on G Street, near Seventh SE.

For many years each incoming President was notified that a pew had been reserved for his use. During their terms of office Presidents Jefferson, Madison, and Monroe worshiped in Christ Church. During all these years the fame of the church has grown, from its antiquity as the mother church of the Capital and from its spiritual work and ministrations.

A history of the parish would not be complete without some notice of its burying ground (illustrated on page 44).

On March 30, 1812, Henry Ingle deeded to Christ Church vestry a square of ground known as square 1115, and the name of Washington Parish Burial Ground was given it. On May 30, 1849, the vestry changed it to Washington Cemetery. Yet in popular nomenclature it is known as Congressional Cemetery. Title can be traced back to its early connection with the National Legislature.

On April 15, 1816, the vestry assigned 100 sites for the interment of deceased Members of Congress. On December 15, 1823, 300 more sites were donated for the same purpose. Congress afterwards bought more sites and erected small freestone cenotaphs, which form a conspicuous feature, made sundry appropriations for improvements, and began to add its name to the cemetery. Many Congressmen and Government officials are buried there, including Tobias Lear, private secretary and friend of George Washington, who died in 1816; Dr. William Thornton, who drew the original plans of the Capitol, and died March 28, 1828; George Hadfield, an assistant architect of the Capitol; George Clinton, of New York, and Elbridge Gerry, of Massachusetts, Vice Presidents of the United States. The cemetery, located at Eighteenth Street and Pennsylvania Avenue SE., is adjacent to the Anacostia River and comprises 30 acres.

ST. JOHN’S CHURCH

St. John’s Church, sometimes called the President’s Church, while not the oldest in the city, has a history which is unique. Probably no other church of any denomination in the United States has had throughout its history such a distinguished roster of communicants as has St. John’s, located at Sixteenth and H Streets NW.

The title, the “President’s Church,” was derived in this way: In 1816, before the church was consecrated or any pews sold, a committee from the vestry was instructed to make the offer of a pew to President Madison. He accepted and thereafter occupied pew No. 28 even more frequently than his pew in Christ Church. The custom of preserving a pew for the President has been continued, and a number have regularly worshiped there.

Situated in the heart of official Washington, for a century it has been the place of worship of Presidents, Cabinet officers, distinguished soldiers and diplomats, and leaders in the professional life of the city. In the year 1812 there were two Episcopal churches within the present city limits—Christ Church, Navy Yard, and St. John’s, Georgetown. There was need for a third, caused by the fact that the White House and departmental buildings were erected at a point almost midway between these two. Washington in those days undoubtedly seemed a city of magnificent distances. So, on April 6, 1812, a committee was appointed by the vestry of the mother parish of Christ Church to meet the situation. Then came the War of 1812, when both the city and the public buildings suffered, and it was not until September 14, 1815, that the corner stone of St. John’s, Washington, was laid.

Jonathan Elliott, in his history of the District published in 1831, said of St. John’s Church:

The most notable changes were made in 1863, when a sanctuary was added, the interior remodeled, and many fine additions put in place. Since that time there have been few changes of importance save in the interior decorations and sanctuary beautification. The eye can not glance in any direction without seeing some memorial. Over the altar is a brass cross, commemorating President Arthur. In the west wall is a window commemorating Presidents Madison, Monroe, and Van Buren. A window in the east wall commemorates Presidents Tyler, Harrison, and Taylor. Over the south gallery is a memorial window to Gen. Winfield Scott. The atmosphere of the old church is vibrant of memories. But St. John’s is far from being entirely a church of memories. It has made possible several undertakings of institutional character in the diocese.

THE COURTS OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

The District of Columbia Courthouse is situated in Judiciary Square, along Indiana Avenue, facing south, with John Marshall Place immediately in front of it, leading down a slope of 30 feet to Pennsylvania Avenue. It is the old city hall, now used for the Supreme Court of the District of Columbia, and is one of the oldest buildings in the city. Designed by the English architect, George Hadfield, the corner stone was laid August 22, 1820. The building is 250 feet long, 47 feet high, and 166 feet deep. Each of the wings is 50 feet wide. Its style resembles the classical type of architecture which received an impetus during the period from 1830 to 1840, when the Patent Office, the old Post Office, and the Department of the Treasury Buildings were erected. It was remodeled by the Architect of the Capitol, and in 1920, a century after the corner stone was laid, was officially rededicated as the United States Courthouse. It will be at the head of the new municipal center which has been authorized by Congress to occupy four squares, two on each side of John Marshall Place.

The District of Columbia as the seat of the Federal Government of the United States of America was without a court from 1791 until February 9, 1801. In the latter year the Circuit Court of the District of Columbia was organized under the provisions of the act of Congress providing a judiciary for the said District. From 1790 until the year 1801 all litigation arising within the District was disposed of by the Maryland courts, at Annapolis.

The first session of the circuit court was held in Market Square, Alexandria, situated in the territory ceded by Virginia. The first session on the Maryland side was held in Washington on March 23, 1801, in the old brick Capitol, occupying a room adjoining the Senate Chamber which had been assigned to the Supreme Court of the United States. The circuit court was rather nomadic, occupying a number of sites before the city hall was finally built in 1820 as its permanent home. It was in the Capitol at the time of the War of 1812 and was removed to “Mr. Carroll’s house” near the Capitol. After the war the court returned to the Capitol and sat continuously until 1819. After passing through many heartbreaking annoyances, the court finally settled in the building erected for municipal affairs and for the local courts, located in what is now known as Judiciary Square.

As time progressed the judicial system expanded, the local government underwent radical changes, and the edifice erected to house a dual tenancy was acquired by the United States and assigned to the circuit court as a permanent home. It remained there until the court was abolished by Congress on March 3, 1863.

When President Lincoln entered the White House just before the rupture between the North and South, he was not satisfied with the personnel of the circuit court. He prevailed upon Congress to abolish the circuit court and provide for its successor—history hints this was a political move—and also that the President be supported by a judicial system upon which he could rely for complete loyalty to his administration. He believed that at least two of the justices were in sympathy with the South and would use means to embarrass his administration. The thought in his mind was that more satisfaction could be derived by the abolition of the court and the enactment of a new judicial system entirely friendly to his ideas of personal liberty and justice than through the suspension of the writ of habeas corpus.

Congress complied with President Lincoln’s wishes, and on March 3, 1863, created the Supreme Court of the District of Columbia, giving him the appointment of the new justices and the clerk. This court was to have all the jurisdiction of its predecessor—which by statute and decisions of the Supreme Court of the United States had greater powers than any of the United States circuit courts—not only a court of local jurisdiction, but also a court of admiralty, equity between residents and nonresidents, common-law jurisdiction, and the right of mandamus and common-law certiorari over all Government officials, with an appellate branch to be composed of three of the five justices to review the decisions of its special terms.

On May 4, 1863, the court organized and promulgated rules of practice. From that date until February 9, 1893, it held its appellate jurisdiction. The members of the bar previous to that date had interceded with Congress for a separate court of appeals in order to circumvent any comment against the supreme court owing to the close association of its justices sitting as an appellate tribunal to review the decisions of their brothers holding the special terms. This was accomplished. On February 9,1893, the court of appeals was created. It is now composed of five justices, as against three provided for in the organic act.

With its probate court—district court, embracing admiralty, condemnation of adulterated articles under the pure-food act; the widening of streets, and the condemnation of alleys and privately owned property for carrying out the enlargement and beautification of Washington; its purely local jurisdiction to settle disputes in equity and law; the jurisdiction over Government officials and inferior courts of the District—it is taxed to the limit of human endeavor to keep up with the tide of modern requirements and hold all who come within its jurisdiction to an orderly and legal course of conduct. Its opinions have always received wide notice and are continually quoted in State and Federal courts.

Many noted cases have been disposed of, as disclosed by its records. President Grant was sued for damages for false arrest of an individual. When the case was tried the verdict of the jury was in favor of the President. The trial of Charles J. Guiteau for the assassination of President Garfield was held here, and after a long-drawn-out and stormy session covering many weeks the assassin was convicted. The famous oil-scandal cases against Doheny and Sinclair, involving the bribery of Albert B. Fall, a former Secretary of the Interior, were tried by this court. Many other cases of note could be mentioned, but space will not permit.

Under the various acts of Congress, the number of justices has gradually increased until at the present time the destiny of this court is in the control of ten justices. The bench as constituted to-day is composed of a chief justice, the Hon. Alfred A. Wheat, and the following associate justices, the Hon. Jennings Bailey, the Hon. Peyton Gordon, the Hon. Jesse Corcoran Adkins, the Hon. Oscar R. Luhring, the Hon. Joseph W. Cox, the Hon. James M. Proctor, the Hon. F. Dickinson Letts, the Hon. Daniel W. O’Donoghue, and the Hon. Bolitha J. Laws.

The orphans’ court in the District of Columbia, as constituted by the act of 1801, continued until 1870, when its functions were transferred to one of the justices of the Supreme Court of the District of Columbia holding a special term for probate business; the register of wills is also clerk of the probate court.

Justice-of-the-peace courts continued until 1912, when they were superseded by the present municipal court, with a jurisdiction in debt and landlord and tenant cases, replevin and tort actions not exceeding $1,000, and the right of litigants to apply to the court of appeals for a writ of error if they feel aggrieved.

A police court, divided into two branches—municipal and Federal—with appeal to the Court of Appeals of the District of Columbia, is presided over by judges.

OLD LAND OFFICE BUILDING

One of the interesting historic landmarks in the National Capital is the old Land Office Building at Seventh and Eighth and E and F Streets NW., where it occupies an entire square. It was designed by Robert Mills in 1830 and constructed of marble from New York and Maryland under the supervision of Thomas U. Walter, Architect of the Capitol, at a cost exceeding $2,000,000. It was built during that decade when the Patent Office and the Department of the Treasury Buildings, similar in their classical type of architecture, were authorized by Congress and placed under way during the administration of President Jackson.

This building was erected as the first permanent building for the Post Office Department and of the city post office.

Here, in 1844, the first telegraph office in the United States and of the world was opened and operated by S. F. B. Morse, the site being marked by a bronze plaque in the wall on the east side of the building.

The first attempt to determine longitude by telegraph also was made in this building in 1846. Earlier in the century a building stood here in which the first theatrical performance in the National Capital was given. The site, too, was at one time considered for the Botanic Garden. Until 1880 this section was the residential district of the city.

During the World War the building was occupied by Gen. Enoch Crowder, in charge of the National Selective Draft Board. On his return from France, General Pershing made it his headquarters. Since his retirement the building has been occupied in part by the United States Tariff Commission.

OLD PATENT OFFICE BUILDING

The original two buildings burned, whereupon Congress authorized the erection of a new Patent Office Building according to the designs of Robert Mills, architect. The present building was begun in 1837 and completed in 1867. Doctor Thornton was the first Commissioner. It occupies two squares, at Seventh and Ninth and F and G Streets NW., at the site where L’Enfant had indicated in his plan there should be a great national church. It is a monumental marble building, Doric in its style of architecture, and with its large pediments and columns—in design and size like those of the Parthenon—creates the impression of simple dignity and beauty that is eternal. Models of American inventions to the number of 200,000 were kept in this building until the new National Museum was built. The Patent Office has been moved into the new Department of Commerce Building. It is one of the large bureaus of the Department of Commerce.

THE WASHINGTON MONUMENT

On August 7, 1783, the year that witnessed the treaty of peace at Paris, Congress ordered—

But no action was taken to carry out this legislation. The monument was to have been executed by Ceracchi, a Roman sculptor, and paid for by contributions of individuals. As has been mentioned, a site for it was marked on the L’Enfant map of the city of Washington at the intersection on the Mall of the axis of the Capitol and the White House.

As President, by his wise administration of the affairs of the new Republic, General Washington so added to his fame and so won the gratitude of his countrymen that on his death a select joint committee of both Houses of Congress was appointed to consider a suitable manner of paying honor to his memory. Thus, on December 23, 1799, on motion of John Marshall in the House of Representatives, it was resolved by Congress—