Qass Book Vi2 Dll Iff / \ I St.rntric StTetiTS ! .StJCatlu' 1 St.Afniy'! iSt.Joliii'i Cluist 1 Conpret^ \jsivnsi \'fpund ^\'(^sley\ \Eliene: \n\'lai, Dii GEORGE TOIOT BE7flH, ,, j I l" -^^^^ILJ^JpF^ s :m:L L _i::!_ Jfi/>.. I'iBffi )'-jr -e ID I i,,,,,„„v \e\ m ■>77, „„ " Wi^wtyu : „„.;: / W,, M. fl p^"- 0,U RIM'-' \'Y> l^'i-f-'J . '^"^Sc^aftac^r fee tIIi 1 nn-' 1" aSHHSSC QDBa00^z3PsaE]mg[Bgnnniiiii :::^' J'Unna^^3nnn<^^ % / \' A- S V 1! 1 r MAP DSIABUSHH) AS THE HStMASEyr StiVT OV THE GOTEKN^MENT TINTrED STATES AMERICA JK> i. "i'»!!\\\V\\\\Mi> «■ .J ; :iJiiiiii{ii!Si»!ijliiai!iyii!i!fiH!!5i ; I THE SEAT OF GOYEENIENT"^^ THE UNITED STATES. A REVIEW OF THE DISCUSSIONS, IN CONGRESS AND ELSEWHERE, ON THE SITE AND PLANS OF THE FEDERAL CITY; WITH A SKETCH OF ITS PRESENT POSITION AND PROSPECTS ', ALSO, HEMAEKS ON MONUMENTAL STRUCTURES AND THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION. SEAn {ly pakt) before the new yoek and Maryland historical societies. BY JOSEPH B. VARNUM, Jr. SECOND EDITION, 'WITH AN ALPH.\BETICAL INDEX, « WASHINGTON: PUBLISHED BY R. FARNHAM.. PRINTED BY J. T. & LEM. TOWERS, Washington, PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION. 1848. The following pages comprise an article which was read before the New York Historical Society in January, 1847. It was also read be- fore the Maryland Historical Society, at Baltimore, and an assembly of citizens at Washington. The interest which was manifested on these occasions induced the writer to enlarge the plan, and introduce other matter not strictly coming within the scope of an historical discourse, but believed to be important to a complete view of the subject. He has, however, for the most part, omitted all such details as would more properly belong to a guide-book; or be invested with a local, rather than a general interest. It is believed to be the first attempt which has been made to call attention to the various questions which arise in the selection of a Seat of Govetrnment for a Nation, As such, the editor of Hunt's Merchants' Magazine deemed it worthy of insertion in that well-known and valuable periodical ; and it is now issued in this form for distribution amongst those friends who have taken an interest in the subject. To Lewis H. Machen, Peter Force, John C. Brent, and Joseph Gales, Esquires, he is under obligations for valuable suggestions and facts. That he may have made some mistakes, is not unlikely; but he will have accomplished his object if he shall succeed in inducing some abler pen to develop the easiest and best way of fulfilling the design proposed in founding the city of Washington. 1854. Owing to repeated inquiiies for this pamphlet, a Second Edition is now issued, with some additions and corrections. In addition to the names mentioned in the last preface, the writer would place that of John Sessford, Esq., as of one to whom he is under obligations, and whose valuable statistical tables, it is to be hoped, may yet be printed in some convenient form for preservation. THE SEAT OF GOYERIMENT THE UNITED STATES. CHAPTER I. FALSE IMPRESSIONS PREVAILING IN RELATION TO THE CITY OF WASHINGTON MR. SOUTH- ARD'S REMARK, AND ITS APPLICATION SESSIONS OF CONGRESS, WHERE HELD PRIOR TO 1*790 ARTICLE OF THE CONSTITUTION PROVIDING FOR A SEAT OF GOVERNMENT DISCUSSIONS IN RELATION TO THE PLACE TO BE SELECTED DISADVANTAGES OF A COM- MERCIAL CITY PROPRIETY OF LAYING OUT A CITY EXPRESSLY FOR THIS PURPOSE POSITION INFLUENCE OF THE PROPOSITION FOR FUNDING STATE DEBTS THE GROWTH OF THE WEST ANTICIPATED WHEN THIS QUESTION WAS DECIDED DR. PATTERSOn's CALCULATION MILEAGE RECENT REMARKS OF SENATORS CALHOUN AND ALLEN ON "a centre OF TERRITORY," AND INFLUENCE OF COMMERCIAL CITIES CONSTRUCTION OF THE ACT. Notwithstanding the number who annually visit Washington on business or pleasure, there are few who I'ightly understand the relation in which that city stands to the General Government, or appreciate its importance as the only spot where it is practically seen that, for national purposes, we are but one people. There are, it is true, forts, arsenals, and navy-yards scattered over the country, in which all are interested equally, and which awaken our pride, as citizens of the great republic ; but each of these is limited to some one object, and a sight of one is a sight of all. It is only at Washington that one sees a whole district of country laid out expressly as a common centre of the nation, and a city planned solely with a view to the gratification of national pride, and for national convenience ; the inhabitants of which are under the entire control of Congress, and deprived of the elective franchise, for the ex- press purpose of removing them from the influence of party spirit, and enabling the Government to perform its functions without embarrass- ment or restraint. b THE SEAT OF GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES. It is tlie fashion to speak of the Seat of Government as a place of extravagant pretensions, never to he realized ; of magnificent distances, dusty streets, and poverty-stricken people, "without reference to the cir- cumstances under which this particular spot was selected for the Seat of Government, the objects contemplated in laying out a Federal city, how far those objects have been accomplished, and to what extent any failure on this score is to be ascribed to the inefiicient legislation of Congress. There are gross misstatements made every year by those who ought to know better, and the tendency of which is, not only to prejudice the interest of those who reside upon the spot, but to foster a public sentiment which works no small amount of injury to our in- stitutions and country at large. It is that spirit which undervalues every place, however sacred its associations, if not accompanied with the bustle of commerce and manufactures ; which confines itself to the present, or, if it looks into the future, only looks with business-like eyes ; and which has, in a measure, broken up that feeling of patriotism and sentiment, which gathers around certain hallowed spots, and the culti- vation of which, as in the case of popular songs and traditions, has, in every country, proved one of its greatest safeguards. In one of his reports, the late Senator Southard spoke of Washington as the "only child of the nation;" and the thoughtful visiter who stands on the terrace of the Capitol, and looks upon the scene around him, instead of dwelling with contempt upon the scattered piles of brick and mortar, will, if we mistake not, in view of the circumstances under which it was brought into being, the honored names connected with its foundation, and its identity of interest with the Union, recog- nise the full force of the expression, and feel a corresponding interest in its present and future position. The subject, too, is fraug^ht with mat- ter of grave reflection to the statesman and philosopher, as illustrative of the influence exerted by a political capital, the principles on which one should be selected, and the expediency of any future change in our own country. It is, therefore, that we propose to present, as briefly as possible, an outline of the arguments which led to the act for establishing the present Seat of Government, a sketch of the site selected, and the plans adopted for carrying that act into effect, with a view of the present po- sition and future prospects of the city. The sessions of the old Congress Avere held, according as the exigen- cies of the war, or the convenience of members from different sections required, at Philadelphia, Baltimore, Lancaster, York, Princeton, An- napolis, Trenton, and New York. During this time, there appears to have been great anxiety and rivalry amongst the different States, for THE SEAT OF GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES. 7 the honor of having this distingnished body in their midst. New York tendered the town of Kingston for the Seat of Government ; Rhode Is- land, Newport; Maryhxnd, Annapolis; Virginia, Williamsbm-gh. On the 21st Oetobery 1*783, Congress had been insulted at Phila- delphia, by a baud of mutineers, which the State authorities were not able to quell. On this occasion they adjourned to Princeton, where they held their sessions in the hall of the college ; and it was probably owing to the recent disturbance, that the subject of a permanent Seat of Government was now taken up, and continued to be, at intervals, the subject of discussion up to the formation of the Constitution. We have no register of the debates, but a large number of resolutions were offered, and votes taken. Two of the most prominent propositions will throw some light upon the views as to place and j)lan which were entertained at that time. ,,; On the 7th October, 1733, on motion of Mr. Gerry, it was resolved that buildings for the use of Congress be erected on or near the banks of the Delaware, or of the Potomac, near Georgetown ; provided, a suit- able district can be procured on one of the rivers aforesaid for a Federal town, that the right of soil, and an exclusive or such other jurisdiction as Congress may direct, shall be vested in the United States. This, afterwards, underwent various modifications, one of which was to have buildings erected both on the Potomac and Delaware, until, finally, it was repealed on the 26th April, 1784. On the 30th October following. Congress met at Trenton, and the subject was again taken up, and, after a long debate, resulted in the passage of an ordinance, appointing three commissioners with full power to lay out a district not exceeding three, nor less than two miles square, on the banks of either side of the Delaware, not more than eight miles above or below the falls thereof, for a Federal town. They were authorized to purchase soil, and enter into contracts for erecting and completing, in an elegant manner, a Federal house. President's house, and houses for the Secre- taries of Foreign Affairs, War, Marine, and Treasury ; that, in choosing the situation for the buildings, due regard be had to the accommoda- tion of the States, with lots for houses for the use of their delegates respectively. At the Congress which met at New York, January 13, 1785, great but unsuccessful efforts were made to substitute the Potomac for the Delaware. The three commissioners were here appointed, but never entered upon their duties ; for various delays occurred, and numerous efforts appear to have been made to repeal or alter it. On May 10, 1787, Mr. Lee, of Virginia, moved the following resolu- tion : O THE SEAT OF GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES. "Resolved, That the Board of Treasury take measures for erecting the neces- sary public buildings, for the accommodation of Congress, at Georgetown, on the Potomac liver, so soon as the soil and jurisdiction of the said town ai'c ob- tained, and that on the completion of the said buildings, Congress adjourn their sessions to the said federal town. "Resolved, That the States of Maryland and Virginia be allowed a credit in the requisition of 1787, or in the arrearages due on past requisitions, for such sums of money as they may respectively furnish towards the erection of said buildings." This motion was lost. Affirmative : Massachusetts, New York, Vir- ginia, and Georgia. Negative: New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, and North Carolina. In I'ZS'Z the new Constitution was adopted, leaving the resolution for establishing a Seat of the Federal Government on the banks of the Delaware unexecuted. But the discussions which had taken place on this subject, no doubt, had their influence upon the minds of those who framed that part of section 8, art. 1, of the Constitution of the United States, which declares that Congress shall have power to exer- cise exclusive legislation in all cases whatsoever, over such district (not exceeding ten miles square) as may, by cession of particular States, and the acceptance of Congress, become the Seat of Government of the United States, and to make all laws which may be necessary and pro- per for carrying into execution the foregoing powers. By Elliott's Debates, it appears that the article was assented to in the Convention without debate. In the Virginia Convention, some fears were expressed as to the influence to be exerted by a spot so ex- clusively under the control of Government, under the apprehension that it would be in some measure out of the pale of law, and an asylum for political criminals or violators of State rights ; but the clause was finally acceded to without much opposition. New York having appro- priated its public buildings to the use of the new Government, Con- gress me.t in that city on the 6th April, 1789, a quorum of both Houses appeared and proceeded to business. On the 15th May fol- lowing, Mr. White, from Virginia, presented to the House of Represen- tatives a resolve of the Legislature of that State, offering to the Federal Government ten miles square of its territory, in any part of that State which Congress may choose, as the Seat of the Federal Government. On the next day, Mr. Seney, of Maryland, submitted an act of that State, offering to the acceptance of Congress, ten miles square of its territory, for the Seat of the Federal Government. Numerous memo- rials and petitions followed, from citizens of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Maryland, for the selection of a site in their respective States. The question as to the place to be selected for the " ten miles square," THE SEAT OF GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES. 9 came up for discussion in Congress, on the introduction of a resolution by Mr. Thomas Scott, of Pennsylvania, that it would be expedient to select a gite which should be "as near as possible the centre of wealth, of population, and of territory." Mr. Lee afterwards moved that "a place as nearly central as a convenient communication with the At- lantic ocean, and an easy access to the western territory will permit, ought to be selected and established as the permanent Seat of Gov- ernment of the United States." On the 3d September, 1789, Mr. Goodhue, of Massachusetts, said in debate, that the Eastern and Northern members had made up their minds on the subject, and were of opinion that, on the eastern banks of the Susquehanna, Congress should fix its permanent residence. On the 5th September, 1789, a resolution passed the House of Rep- resentatives, " that the permanent seat of the Government of the United States ought to be at some convenient place on the banks of the Sus- quehanna, in the State of Pennsylvania." On the introduction of the bill to' carry this resolution into effect, much feeling was manifested by the Southern members, and particularly by the members from Virginia, who earnestly contended that the banks of the Potomac was the most suitable location. Mr. Madison thought if the proceeding of that day had been foreseen by Virginia, that State might not have become a party to the Constitution. The place where the Seat of Government should be fixed, was allowed by every member to be a matter of great importance. "The future tranquillity and well- being of the United States," said Mr. Scott, " depended as much on this, as on any question that ever had or could come before Congress." Mr. Fisher Ames remarked that "every principle of pride, and honor, and even of patriotism, were engaged." The bill was passed by the House by a vote of ayes thirty-one, noes nineteen. It was amended in the Senate by striking out all that part respecting the Susquehanna, and inserting a clause fixing the perma- nent Seat of Government at Germantown, Pennsylvania, and also pro- viding that the law should not be carried into eflfect until the State of. Pennsylvania, or individual citizens of the same, should give security to pay one hundred thousand dollars, to be employed in erecting the public buildings. These amendments were agreed to by the House, with an amendment providing that the laws of Pennsylvania should continue in force in said district until Congress should otherwise direct. The bill was then returned to the Senate, and the consideration of the amendment of the House was postponed until the next session. Ger- mantown, therefore, was actually agreed upon by both Houses; but the bill failed on account of a slight amendment. 10 THE SEAT OF GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES. On the 3d December, 1789, tlie Legislature of Virginia passed an act, ceding to Congress a district for the location of the Seat of Government in that State ; also a resolution directing that law to be transmitted to the General Assembly of Maryland without delay, asking the coopera- tion of that State in the effort to get the Seat of Government fixed on the banks of the Potomac. The following is the Virginia resolution : " Resolvedhy the General Assembly of Virginia, That a copy of the foregoing act of the 3d December, 1789, be transmitted to tlie General Assembly of Mary- land without delay ; and that it be proposed to said Assembly to unite with this legislature in an application to Congress, that in case Congress shall deem it ex- pedient to establish the permanent seat of the Government of the United States on the banks of the Potomac, so as to include the cession of either State, or a part of the cession of both States, this assembly vMl pass an act for advancing a sum of money, not exceeding one hundred and twenty thousand dollars, to the use of the General Government, to be applied, in such manner as Congress shall direct, towards erecting pviblic buildings, the said Assembly of Maryland, on tlieir jjart, advancing a sum not less than two-fifths of the sum advanced by this State for the like purpose." On the receipt of the Virginia resolution, the Assembly of Maryland passed a similar resolution, agreeing to cede the necessary territory, and to furnish seventy-two thousand dollars towards the erection of the public buildings. New York and Pennsylvania had gratuitously furnished "elegant and convenient accommodations" for the use of the Government, during the eleven years that it was located within their respective limits, as appears from the resolutions passed by Congress on its removal. They had offered to continue to do so. New Jersey offered accommodations at Trenton. The citizens of Baltimore, through their representative, proposed to furnish money for the erection of the necessary buildings, in that " town," for the Federal Government. On the 31st May, 1790, a bill was introduced into the Senate, to de- termine " the permanent seat of Congress, and the Government of the United States." On the 28th June, this bill being under consideration, memorials were read from citizens of Baltimore, and from inhabitants of Georgetown, for the selection of those places ; and a motion being made to insert — "on the river Potomac, at some place between the mouths of the Eastern branch and the Connogocheague, be, and the same is hereby accepted, for the permanent seat of the Government of the United States," — it passed in the affirmative. The bill was further amended, as follows : "And be it further enacted. That for defraying the expense of such purchases and buildings, the President of the United States be authorized and requested THE SEAT OF GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES. 11 to accept grants of money, and caused to be borrowed a sum not exceeding one hundred thousand dollars, at an interest not exceeding six per cent.," materials, should be collected for rendering the Institi:tion a centre of biblio- graphical knowledge, whence the student may be directed to any work which he may require. " It is believed that the collections in natural history will increase by dona- tion as rapidly as the income of the Institution can make provision for their re- ception, and, therefore, it will seldom be necessary to purchase articles of this kind. 108 THE SEAT OF GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES. "Attempts should be made to procure for the gallery of arts casts of the most celebrated articles of ancient and modern sculptiire. "The arts may be encouraged by providing a room, free of expense, for tht exhibition of the objects of the Art-Union and other similar societies. "A small appropriation should annually be made for models of antiquities, such as those of the remains of ancient temples, «fec. "The duty of the Secretary will be the general superintendence, with the advice of the Chancellor and other members of the establishment, of the literary and scientific operations of the Institution; to give to the Regents annually an account of all the transactions; of the memoirs which have been received for publication ; of the researches which have been made ; and to edit, with the assistance of the librarian, the publications of the Institution, . "The duty of the Assistant Secretary, acting as librarian, will be, for tht; present, to assist in taking charge of the collections, to select and purchase, under the direction of ^he Secretary and a committee of the board, books and catalogues, and to procure the information before mentioned ; to give informa- tion on plans of libraries, and to assist the Secretary in editing the publications of the Institution, and in the other duties of his office. "The publications to consist of, 1st, "Smithsonian Contributions," consisting of the works elicited by rewards offered to men of talents for memoirs contain- ing new truths; and the results of particular researches made by direction of" the Institution. 2d, " Smithsonian Reports," consisting of reports on the pro- gress of knowledge. The first to aid the increase, the latter, to aid the diffu- sion of knowledge. "The Secretary and his assistants, during the session' of Congress, will be required to illustrate new discoveries in science, and to exhibit new objects of art; distinguished individuals should also be invited to give lectures on subjects of general interest." The Secretary, in his recent reports, declares that an attempt has been made in good faith to carry out this arrangement for division of the in- come, soTar as that income has been applied to the general support of the Institution ; and that, if items which may be properly charged to the library and collections were added to this side of the account, the bal- ance would be in favor of the general — or, as he styles them, " active" operations. But, he declares that the plan has not been found to work well in practice ; that the income is too small to properly support more than one system of operations ; and that, therefore, the attempt to sus- tain three departments, with separate ends and separate interests, must lead to inharmonious action, and, consequently, to diminished useful- ness ; that, however p>roper such a division of the income might have been in the beginning, in order to harmonize conflicting opinions, and to submit with proper caution the several proposed schemes to a judi- cious trial, the same considerations do not exist for its continuance, changes having occurred which materially alter the conditions on which it was founded ; that the plan of general or '' active" operations was not at first fully understood, even by the literary men of the country, it THE SEAT OF GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES. 109 being considered cliimerical, and incapable of being continued for any length, of time; and hence it was thought important to provide for the means of falling back upon a library and collections ; that the experi- ence of six years has, however, established its practicability and im- portance, and it is now considered, by the gi-eat majority of intelligent persons who have studied the subject, the only direct means of real- izing the intention of the donor. That the building was.to have been finished in five years, and the income after this was to be increased by the interest on the remaining surplus fund ; but the Regents have found it necessary for the better security of the library and museum to add fifty thousand dollars to the cost of the edifice ; and ten years will have elapsed from the beginning, instead of five, before any income from the surplus fund wi'l be available. That this additional expense is not in- curred for the " active" operations, and the question may be asked, whether they ought to bear any part of this additional burden. It should here be explained, that by a resolution of the Board, the amount of accrued interest (|242,129) at the time of organization, which by the act was appropriated to the building, was drawn from the treasury and invested at interest, and by deferring the completion of the building and investing from time to time portions of the annual income, there, has been laid aside a sum of upwards of $200,000, notwithstandr ing that the edifice will have cost when completed |300,000. The amount thus laid aside it is proposed to add to tbe principal of $500,000, thus increasing the annual income proportionally. The Secretary goes on to remark, in substance, that the inquiry may be made, whether it is advisable in the present state of the funds, and the wants of the " active" operations, to expend any conside- rable portion of the income in the reproduction of a collection of objects of nature and art. Again: the active operations are procuring annually for the library, by exchange, a large number of valuable books, which, in time, of themselves will form a rare and valuable collection, and, even if the division of the income is to be continued, a sum equal in amount to the price of these books ought to be charged to the library, and an equal amount credited to the " active" operations. That, though a large library connected with the Insti- tution would be valuable in itself, and convenient to those who are ill the immediate vicinity of the Smithsonion building, yet, as has been said before, it is not essentially necessary to the active operations. It would be of comparatively little importance to the greater number of the co-laborers of the Institution, who are found in every i^art of the Uuited States, and are not confined even to these limits. But few of the authors of the Smithsonian memoirs reside in Washington. The 110 THE SEAT OF GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES. libraries, tlierefore, of the wliole country; and in some cases of otiier countries, are at tlie service of tlie Institution, and employed for its purposes. That, with regard to the museum, it is not the intention of the Institution to attempt to examine and describe within the walls of its own building all the objects which may be referred to it. To ac- complish this, a corps of naturalists, each learned in his own branch, would be reqtiired, at an expense Avhich the whole income would be in- adequate to meet. That the more feasible and far less expensive or- ganization was adopted, of referring all scientific questions of impor- tance, as well as objects of natural history, for investigation, to persons of reputation and learning in diiferent parts of the United States, and perhaps, in some cases in foreign countries. By the operation of this plan, which has been found eminently practicable, the collections, as well as the libraries of the whole country, are rendered subservient to the use of the Institution. That there can be but little doubt that, in due time, ample provision will be made for a library and museum at the capital of this Union worthy of a government whose perpetuity depends upon the virtue and intelligence of the people. It is, there- fore, unwise in his opinion, to hamper the more important objects of this Institution, by attempting to anticipate results which will be even- tually produced without the expenditure of its means. It not being any part of our plan to give more than an outline of the history of the Institution for the information of the general reader, we shall not enter into an elaborate discussion as to the correctness of this reasoning of the Secretary. It is understood that a difference of opinion exists among those who have had the best opportunities to ex- amine, as to whether the compromise has been fairly tried, and justice done, as far as the means would allow, to each department. To decide on this point, and also as to the merits of the general or " active" operations, involves the necessity of examining very carefully all the proceedings of the Board of Regents and their accounts ; and also the publications of the Institution, with the aid of superior knowledge and experience, in order to determine whether they are positive ad- ditions to knowledge, and if so, whether the results, however new or curious, are of a value proportionate to the cost ; and further, whether the substance of most, if not all of them, might not have been brought before the world through other agencies to quite as much advantage for science, if not in quite so elegant a form. Admitting, however, that the " active" operations have accomplished all that is claimed by the Secretary, are his conclusions correct as to there being necessarily any want of harmony in action between this depart- ment and the specified objects? Are the ends and interests necessarily THE SEAT OF GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES. Ill separate ? Do not the short reports of the assistants, which are embo- died in the reports to the Regents, show that those having charo-e of the library and collections of natural history, even with limited aid, have gathered valuable information from what has come to their knowledge in organizing their departments ; and is there no reason to suppose that from these quarters some of the best contributions to knoAvledge may, in time, emanate ? It may be true that the Library of Congress and the collections of Government will save the necessity of as large an expen- diture in the first instance as might have been otherwise advisable ; but this only shows the propriety of more care and discrimination in purchasing for the Institution ; and the value of the Government col- lections will be the greater in proportion' as the officers in charge of those at the Smithsonian, are intelligent and capable of distin- guishing what is new and useful, and giving the results to the world, either through their annual reports, <-r through the more imposing vo- lumes of " contributions" or " EfipaBEfcs." - ' ' _ ,.„„^.^„. The principal difiiculty adverted to by the Secretary, is tl^^ want of sufficient annual income for all. Hence he infers the necessity of con- fining the expenditures mainly to one department. Is not the alterna- tive rather a reduction of all the expenditures in each department, and thereby continuing to add every year to the income ? If the income is, say 140,000 per annum, why may not the expeditures be so limited as to add every year |10,000, to the principal, and thus add at least six hundred dollars a year to the income. The development of the Insti- tution would not in this way be perhaps quite as rapid as if the whole expenditure were confined to one department ; but, in course of time, each would become well endowed. "We confess, how-ever, that we have never been entirely satisfied that •the Regents had the power to increase their capital by this means. The act expressly appropriated |242,129 to the building, and if the Regents had the power to postpone the aj^plication of it to that pur- pose for eight years, why could they not have postponed it indefinitely i So the income of about $30,000 was expressly appropriated to the support of the Institution — and if a portion of that could be added to the capital, why not postpone any operations whatever, until the capi- tal was sufficiently large ? Had Congress thought this course best, they might have delayed the establishment of the Institution twenty years instead of ten. But, if the course pursued by the Regents is proper, surely it is right that the objects expressly named in the act should have the benefit of it. In this connection it is proper to advert to the fact that the Insti- tution has received a valuable donation of chemical and philosophical 112 THE SEAT OF GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES. apparatus from Professor Hare, of Philadelpliia, (now one of tte honorary members,) and has become the contingent legatee of the sum of $75,000, from Mr. Wynn, of Brooklyn, New York, who has left this amount to the Institution, on the death without issue of his daughter, now a child six years old. In making this bequest, the testator says in his will, "I know no benevolent Institution more useful and- appropriate than the Smithsonian Institution at "Washington." " This circumstance," says the Secretary, " is highly gratifying to the fi'iends of the Institu- tion, not because it offers a remote possibility of an increase of the funds, but on account of the evidence it aifords of the liberal views of the deceased, and of his confidence in the proper management and im- portance of the Smithsonian bequest. The will of Mr. Wynn induces us to believe that the right administration of the Smithsonian fund will cause similar examples of liberality on the part of wealthy individuals of our country ; and in this point of view the responsibility which rests on those who have the direction of the affairs of this Institution is greater than that with reference to the good which the income itself may imme- diately accomplish. Though it is scarcely to be expected that many un- conditional bequests will be made, yet the example of Smithson may induce the founding of other institutions which may serve to perpetuate other names, and increase the blessings which may flow from such judi- cious liberality. Man is a sympathetic being; and it is not impossible that Smithson himself may have caught the first idea of his benevolent design from the example of our countryman. Count Rumford, the prin- cipal founder of the Royal Institution of London. Bequests for special purposes, bearing the names of the testators, are not incongruous with the plan of this Institution. Lectureships on particular subjects, annual reports on special branches of knowledge, provision, for certain lines of research, and libraries for general use or special reference, may be found-, ed under the names of those who bestow the funds, and be placed under the direction of, and incorporated with, the Smithsonian Institution." Having the utmost confidence that, in refei'ence to the changes pro- posed by the Secretary, the intelligence and sound judgment of those having its government in charge, ivill ultimately lead to correct conclu- sions, we will only add one or two remarks. First, with reference to the benefit to be derived to the city of Washington from the location of the Institution, upon which so much stress was laid in the Senate when the object was first introduced into that body. It must be obvious, on a moment's reflection, that in pro- portion as the establishment gains a reputation throughout the country by its usefulness in the increase and difiusion of knowledge, in the same proportion will it attract visitors and students to the capital ; THE SEAT OF GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES. 113 and the question is, wliat will best accomplish this, a larger collection here of the materials for study than is to be found elsewhere, or the printing of learned contributions, or both ? Secondly, in forming an opinion on this point, it is hardly to the pur- pose to speculate upon Smithson's intentions as indicated by his habits of life, studies, and associations. It is extremely doubtful whether he had any very definite idea of what he wished to create ; if he had, there seems to be no reason why he should have not more fully explained his wishes, as the will was apparently not made when he thoiTght himself in extremis ; and he had time enough between the date of it and his death to have perfected it in this respect. He had, probably, like most great students, learned so much as to sensibly appreciate his own ignorance of the vast field yet before him, and distrusted his own power to mark out a plan which would answer for all time to come, and not embarrass the trustees in its fulfillment. Eeasoning thus, and perhaps thinking it would hardly be respectful to the nation whom he constituted trustees, to mark, and too closely, any course they were to pursue, preferred to leave the whole subject to the judgment of the men of experience who would be called to act upon the matter. And in this last connection, resuming the course of our narrative, we will state that but two or three meetings have been held of the visitorial Board, who are to constitute the Smithsonian Institution proper. At these meetings they have done little more than elect honorary members, but manifested a disposition to admit no one to that position who had not already obtained distinction and influence in the world of letters and science ; and if suitable regulations are adopted in this respect, we cannot but hope that, in course of time, an interest may be created in the Institution which would exercise a most happy influence in correcting abuses and securing the best system. The great difiiculty with most societies for the increase and diff"usion of knowledge in this country is, that the privileges of membership are too readily granted, without reference to the qualifications of the candidates, so that the mere fact of being a member of such a society is in itself no evidence of scholarship, and, consequently, of but little value as an honor. Suppose for example a plan be adopted — 1st. Limiting the number of honorary members to be elected in any one year. 2d. Fixing upon certain qualifications as essential to a nomination for membership ; such, for example, as the production of some work, the successful prosecution of some research, or great distinction as an. instructor in the higher branches. 8 114 THE SEAT OF GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES. 3d. Giving to the members tlius elected the privilege of receiving copies of all the publications of the Institution during their life time, and of attending all meetings of the Board of Regents. 4th. Recommending to Congress that, whenever vacancies shall occur in the Board of Regents, the vacancy shall, as far as practicable and consistent with the provisions of law on that behalf, be filled from the honorary members. By the first provision, the honor would be more valuable, as being more rare ; by the second, it would be made more sure evidence of merit ; and the third and fourth, would give it more intrinsic value ; the last one securing to the regents men familiar with the course of business, and amply qualified ; while the whole would tend eventually to interest in the establishment a number of learned men who would act as counsellors, and who, being familiar with the opera- tions, would always present from their ranks suitable persons to fill the ofiices. It would be establishing, a method of distinguishing men of letters hitherto almost unknown in our country. Probably this would be the means of drawing annually to "Washington large numbers of such men, and making the Smithsonian halls the place of annual meeting for the various learned societies, since they might expect, from amongst the honorary members and regents, to find many whose presence and participation in the discussions would add greatly to the interest of their deliberations. By such an arrangement as this a strong inducement will be ofiered to writers, independently of the premiums, and the distinction of having their contributions brought before the world with the stamp of author- ity which a publication in the " Contributions" would give to them ; for the position of " honorary member" of the Institution would be invested with some of those attractions which make a membership of the Academy of Science at Paris so much an object of ambition. Thus the Smithsonian Institution and the city of "Washington may be made, in course of time, to occupy the position now held by Philadelphia as the headquarters of original research ; especially if the materials of knowledge, in the shape of books, apparatus, and collections, be found there in greater perfection than elsewhere ; and from this, as a central point, rays of knowledge will be diffused to all parts of the Union — the accomplishment of which must be, in no small degree, aided by its connection with the Government, and the number of officers in the army and navy, consular agents, and intellectual travellers who will thus be brought within the immediate circle of its influence, advantages which Smithson no doubt had in view in requiring that it should be established at " "Washington." "We do not und rtake to describe what has been done either in the THE SEAT OF GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES. 115 general or local operations, as tte statements on these subjects cliange every year, and no condensed account would do justice to the reports of Professors Henry, Jewett, and Baird, contained in the Annual Reports of the Regents, which, being published by Congress, are readily obtained either at the Institution or of any member of Congress. Suffice it to say, that the library and museum already contain a very respectable collection. A large*proportion of both has been made up by donations and exchanges, and experience shows that the increase in this way, especially in the museum, will continue to be very rapid. Indeed, the Institution will soon have so many collections of its own, as to oc- cupy a large proportion of the new building. Except in the purchase of a collection of fine old engravings, there have been no investments in objects of art ; but the room intended, though not suited for that pur- pose, has been occupied for the exhibition of private collections. The lectures have been mostly of a popular kind, and the room always crowded. The building, which is now nearly completed, has been changed somewhat in its interior arrangements, since Mr. Dallas described it in his corner-stone address. His description of the exterior is probably as accurate as can be given of such a structure. " Its exterior presents a specimen of the style of architecture that pre- vailed some six centuries ago, chiefly in Germany, Normandy, and Southern Europe, which preceded the Gothic, and continues to recom- mend itself, for structures like this, to the most enlightened judgment. It is known as the Norman, or, more strictly speaking, the Lombard style. It harmonizes alike with the extent, the grave uses, and the massive strength of the edifice ; it exacts a certain variety in the forms of its parts ; and it authorizes any additions that convenience may re- quire, no matter how seemingly irregular they may be. " It extends east and west, an entire front of four hundred and twenty- six feet, having a central building of fifty by two hundred feet in the clear, inside, with two towers ; two wings of unequal fronts ; the east one forty-five by seventy-five feet in the clear, inside, with a vestibule and porch attached to it ; the west one thirty-four by sixty-five feet in the clear, inside, with a northern semi-circular projection. These wings will be connected with the central building by two ranges sixty feet in length in the clear, inside. It will have a central rear tower, and other towers of different heights, sizes, and characters, two of them placed in the wings. All these numerous towers are essential to arrangements within — as flues, stairways, ventilators, and detached rooms — and are of different heights, varying from sixty to one hundred and fifty feet." 116 THE SEAT OF GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES. The material is a freestone, of a lilac grey color, drawn from a quarry on the banks of the Chesapeake and Ohio canal, near Seneca creek, and but twenty-three miles from the spot. It is said not to be subject to the objections that exist against the Potomac freestone, of which the central building of the Capitol, the President's House, Treasury, and central Patent Office building are constructed, growing harder by time. The pictures of the edifice are becoming familiar. Portions of the north central front have been to some extent reproduced in the church of the Puritans, and St. George's church, at New York. Perhaps, a better idea may be given, by saying that it is unlike anything else in the country, and that no two parts are like each other — a variety which is rather pleasing to' the eye, and which is carried out in the in- terior, even in the furniture. It certainly has this advantage, that it may be extended in almost any direction, and in almost any style of architecture — Elizabethan, or Gothic, Saracenic, or Egyptian — without impairing its effect. Its effect has been impaired by want of sufficient depth in proportion to its length, and too prominent an exhibition of the roof. With its towers and cloisters, its chapel, (for a picture gal- lery !) its battlements, and port-holes like crosses, through which the knights templars might have shot their arquebusses, and its refectory, over which the ivy is beginning to creep, it strongly brings to mind the accounts we read of the fortified monasteries of former times. Green- ough thus playfully touches upon it, as seen in a stroll by moonlight across the mall : " Suddenly, as I walked, the dark form of the Smithsonian palace rose between me and the white Capitol, and I stopped. Tower and battlement, and all that mediaeval confusion, stamped itself on the halls of Congress, as ink upon paper ! Dark on that whiteness — comj^lica- tion on that simplicity! It scared me. Was it a spectacle, or was not I another Rip Van Winkle who had slept too long ? It seemed to threaten, it seemed to say, I bide my time ! Oh, it was indeed monas- tic at that hour ! ************ * * " On walking round to the south I was much relieved ; I could see through and through the building. This was a departure from all that I had seen in the real old turretted fortresses of theology. It was a good omen. " I am not about to criticise the edifice. I have not quite recovered from my alarm. There is still a certain mystery about those towers and steep belfries that makes me uneasy. This is a practical land. They must be for something. Is no coup d''etat lurking there I Can tliey be merely ornaments, like the tassels to a university cap ? — Perhaps they are an allopathic dose administered to that parsimony THE SEAT OF GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES. 117 Avliicli SO long denied to science where to lay lier head — contraria contrariis curantur ! They must have cost much money. " ' Bosomed high in tufted trees' the Smithsonian college must in itself be hereafter a most picturesque object; the models whence it has been imitated are both ' rich and rare' ; the connoiseurs may well ' wonder how the devil it got there!' "* No one indeed who has a particle of poetry in his soul can fail to be impressed with the picturesque appearance of the pile, as approached from Pennsylvania avenue ; but, thoujjh he may be gratified that there is one such structure to contrast with the Grecian and Roman architec- ture which prevails in all the other public buildings, some utilitarian notions will come over him as he enters the building and finds it hard to discover any special use for all these towers, cloisters, and connect- ing ranges, which only divide up the interior into inconvenient rooms, few of them adapted to any special purpose. The main building, how- ever, which was the last finished, is provided with a much more spacious lecture-room than that which was first used in the eastern wing ; also, with spacious apartments for the museum and library. As before remarked, this building will be, probably, soon filled with a museum collected by the Institution. The act of Congress authorises the transfer to it of all the collections in the Patent Ofiice building ; and, with a view to this, provided that, if the President, Heads of Departments, and Commissioner of Patents, consented, the Institution might be so constructed as to form, in appearance, a wing of that edifice ; but it was thought that the whole of that building would be ultimately re- quired for the Department of the Interior, and the present site pre- sented a decided advantage in admitting of ornamental grounds, and an enlargement in every direction. On account of the expense, and latterly, of the want of accommodations, the Regents have declined to receive the collections of the Government. It would certainly be desirable, in every point of view, that the Na- tional Museum and that of the Smithsonian be connected together, and placed under one supervision. But Congress surely would not desire that a collection, which has been made by the nation at the cost of two or three Smithsonian bequests, should all go to the credit of Smith son and pass under his name? Yet such will be the practical operation of the Set, if the National Museum is merged into the Smithsonian Museum. So strikingly did the impropriety of this appear that, when the act was under consideration in Congress, a member moved that the museum part of the building should be * Memorial of Horatio Greenougli by H. T. Tuckerman, page 90. 118 THE SEAT OF GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES. called "The National Gallery," which would probably have been carried had there not been coupled with it a proviso for placing the gallery under the direction of the " National Institution for the Promotion of Science." But even had this motion prevailed, some- thing more would be necessary. Would it be becoming the dignity and self-respect of the nation that they should be indebted to the be- quest of a liberal foreigner for a building in which to preserve the National Museum ? "Would it not be more proper that the Government should make an appropriation from the public funds for such portions of this edifice as might be used, or such additions as may be neces- sary, and for the annual support of the museum. This might be called the National Museum, and all the Smithsonian collections could be placed with those of the Government, under the appropriate classifi- cation, each being labelled with the name of Smithson. If something like this be done, and the collections of Government and the Institution placed together, there will be greater facility in examining and preserv- ing them all than when, as now, separated, with different curators and systems, and we may perhaps hope that in course of time, something like the Garden of Plants at Paris will surround it ; an object which is certainly every way desirable, having in all countries been regarded as a valuable, if not a principal means for increasing and diff"using knowl- edge.* Strictly speaking, the Smithsonian is not a National Institution ; that is to say, it is upon a private foundation, originating entirely in the be- quest of an individual, accompanied however by only one condition, that the trustees shall retain it at "Washington. But those trustees are the Congress of the United States, who may at any time make any change, except in location, they may deem advisable, better to accom- plish the testator's object ; a power which they have to some extent trans- ferred to the visitorial Board, which, with the Board of Regents, must always be composed in part of high Executive officers, and members and appointees of Congress ; they have done more, given it ground for its buildings, taken charge of its capital, vested in it the exclusive privilege of copy-right, printed its annual reports &c., and there can be no doubt that they will in due time congregate around it such other establish- ments as seem to bear upon the same general objects. All that is neces- * If the Regents do not feel called upon to take charge of the whole of the Patent Office collection, there are some things which they might place in the grounds around. Such are the copper rock from Lake Superior, the sarcopha- gus, brought out by Commodore Elliott, now in the dark basement of the Patent Office, (which we presume the National Institute would not object to their taking.) The Indian paintings might be placed in their gallery. THE SEAT OF GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES. 119 sary to bring ttis about, is that there should be a good understanding between the oflScers of the Institution and those of the Patent Office, Observatory, Agricultural Bureau, of Congress Library, and other de- partments which now are, or soon will grow up, out of the operations of the Government.* Let it be an object of the members and officers of the establishment, to promote an active co-operation between all these departments, each aiding the other, and the Smithsonian will soon form one of a group which will, unitedly, accomplish more for the increase of knowledge in a short time, than any one could do in years. But to accomplish this, there must be a faithful adherence to the requirements of law ; for we think that no one who reads the history of the Institution can fail to be impressed with the belief that the members of Congress who passed the bill, and the public at large, throughout the country, will scarcely be satisfied with any scheme which is intended to develope but one idea, through one channel, or depending for its success upon the judgment of any one individual, however eminent. *The Government libraries are. Congress Library, including the Law Library, (in another part of the Capitol,) and the document libraries attached to the two Houses of Congress, the War Department library, the Patent Office library, and that in the Executive Mansion. They are, none of them, of any great importance, except the first, which has been reestablished, with the advantage of containing nearly all the books of value destroyed by the late fire, in the latest and best editions. It will be many years, however, before, with the present annual appro- priation, (about ^5,000,) it will be anything like what it should be. It is especially defective in collections of pamphlets and journals which throw so much light on the history of the times, and which are only to be found in large libraries. The Government collections, other than those in the Capitol, consist, 1st. Of a collection, of paintings comprising portraits of Indian Chiefs who have, at different times, visited the capital, mostly painted by C. B. King, and a number of portraits of distinguished personages, by different artists, presented to Government. 2d. A variety of trinkets, swords, guns, &c., presented, at different times, to the President, and Foreign Ministers, and which were deliver- to the Department of State, Government officials not being allowed to receive presents. An amusing chapter might be made on this subject. Sometimes the presents have consisted of Arabian horses, lions, and other live animals. They have been sold, and the proceeds given to charitable institutions. A rich carpet, presented to President Van Buren, is kept rolled up, in a glass case. It had much better be spread 120 THE SEAT OF GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES. as a rug, in the President's east-room, if the motlis Lave left it in a condition to be seen. A bottle of otto of rose, said to be of immense value, and demijohns of rose water, are also carefully preserved. Their sweetness can hardly be said to be " wasted on the desert air," for it is never, publicly at least, uncorked. If it improves by age. Uncle Sam will have a treasure one of these days. 3d. A series of Indian relics, minerals, &c., belonging to a society called the National Institution for the Promotion of Science, which was incorporated by Congress, and intended to occupy a position simi- lar to the Society of Arts, at Paris, For a time there was much inter- est taken in its proceedings, honorary members were elected, a corres- pondence invited from all parts of the world ; this action, together with the names of government officers connected with it, elicited many replies from Europe ; and the principal business, at each meeting, was a recital of the donations received. But the necessity of relying upon annual subscriptions led to the. election to the privileges of membership, of all who would pay the annual fee, which lowered the value of the honor, although many of the most learned and scientific took an ac- tive part. The funds received were hardly sufficient to pay the freight on articles presented. The meetings are still kept up, with what success we are not informed ; but we put down their collec- tions among those of Government, because, we believe in case of dis- solution, they go to the United States. Mr. Woodbury and others advocated the plan of placing the Smithsonian bequest under the control of this society, and two of the Regents are required to be mem- bers of it. 4th. The collections of the South Sea Exploring Expedition, con- sisting of a large number of Indian articles, canoes, skins, implements of war, corals, shells, natural mummies, animals, birds, reptiles, and plants. It is not generally known that everything in this collection which is new, is being explained and described, with the most exquisite illustra- tions, in the works of the scientific corps of the Exploring Expedition, seven or eight volumes of which have been issued. The number of volumes will probably reach to twenty, and it will be a work worthy of the Government, and, as far as it goes, will equal, if not excel, any other work of a similar description. Unfortunately, Congress only ordered one hundred copies to be printed, out of which Foreign Gov- ernments and the States were to be supplied ; and this small number has been still further reduced by the destruction of many coj^ies at the burning of the Congress Library. The plates have, we believe, been given to the Smithsonian Institution. THE SEAT OiT GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES. 121 otli. The Pdteut Office coUectiou of models may, perhaps, be regard- ed as H specnes of museum, as it certainly illustrates the progress of iuveutiou. All these collectious, except the liviug plants, are preserved in tlur I'ateiit Office building, which, with the new wings will, probably, admit of better accommodation than heretofore. The plants are in eouser- vafories in front of the Capitol. INDEX. A. Page, An act for establishing Seat of Government passed 16 " how interpreted 44 Adams, John. His address to Congress on assembling at the Capitol. . . 44 Adams, Mrs. Her account of Washington in 1800 48 Adams, J. Q. His report on the Smithsonian Institution 97 Allen, William. His remarks on Seat of Government 21, 22 Ames, Fisher. His remarks in debate 9 Avenues and streets. Their arrangement, names, &c 33 " Expenditures by Congress on account of 55, 5*7 •9 B. Baltimore. Subscription of its citizens for public buildings 10 Brent, John C. His construction of the article relative to the " ten miles square" . . . , 44 Buildings, Public, why separated 38 C. Calhoun, John C. His remarks on centre of t'erritory, and on removal of capital 20, 25 on mileage 21 on Smithsonian bequest 95 Capitals, political, influence of 12 Capitol, Corner-stone of 81 extension. Mr. Webster's remarks 66 why at a distance from Executive offices 38 Carroll, Daniel — advocates a site on the Potomac 11 Centre of territory, population, or wealth, how far criterions in selecting site , 14, 19 sea coast line, why preferred 15 Chesapeake and Ohio Canal 51 Choate, Rufus. His plan for Smithsonian 90 Commercial seaport, why unsuited for Seat of Government 11 Congress, its sessions, where held prior to Constitution 6, 7 its relation to the District 53 Conecogeague — name given to proposed site 16 Constitution, article of, concerning "ten miles square," how regarded in Virginia Convention 8 how construed , 44 Page. Dallas, G. M. — Remarks on Smithsonian Institution 103 Debt — plan for funding — its influence in determining tlie site 1*7 Disfranchisement of political capital — reasons for 13, 2 J Distance of public buildings from each other, reasons for 38 E. Ellicott, Andrew. His plan for supplying the city with water '. 28 His method of executing the plan of the city (note) . 34 Evans, Gov., secures passage of Smithsonian bill 101 Expenditures by Congress and the corporation 55, 56, 5*7 Exploring Expedition collections 120 F. Force Peter. His derivation of names Rome and Tiber 28 G. Gerry, Elbridge. His opinion in relation to site 11 ,/ " " Monument to 11' Goodhue, Benjamin. His opinion on the same subject 9 Greenough, Horatio. On monunients {note), ^. '73 Position of those at Capitol (note) 81 Smithsonian edifice 115 H. Headley, J. T. His remarks on monuments (note) 73 Henry, Joseph, Secretary of Smithsonian, his plans 108 J. Jp.ckson, Andrew. His plan for Potomac Bridge • 59, 69 " " Monument to 60 Jefferson, Thomas. Extract from his letter on terms of purchase ....... 27 " " " " " on plan of the city 33 " " " '• " on assumption of State debts 17 Jones, G. W. Moves to return worthless stock to Smithson's heirs 100 L. Laws of District of Columbia, necessity of new code 53 Lee, Richard Bland. His motion relative to site ...:..... 9 v, L'Enfant, Pierre — architect, his plan 83 Libraries of Government {note) 99, 119 London and Westminster, their influence in Parliament 12 Lottery for completing City Hall 60 Lots belonging to the Government, how sold 54 M. Mackintosh, Sir James. His remark relative to a great metropolis ..... 13 Madison James. His remarks on the growth of the Western Territory. 18 INDEX. iii Page. Magnetic telegraph, its influence on the question of a centre of territory 20 Mall, original plan for improving it 36 Dowtiing's plan (note) , 3g (70 Materials for building, experiments on 89 Maryland, donation and loan for public buildings 41 42 Mileage, Mr. Calhoun's remarks on 21 Ministers and secretaries, plan for furnishing them with houses S7 Monroe, James — proposes to make Chesapeake and Ohio Canal a nation- al work 51 Monumental structures, their influence ■ 71 action of Continental Congress 74 in cemetery at Washington 75 to General Greene 74 to General Montgomery 75 to General Washington 7G, 77 National Monument to Washington 82 why not built by Congress 72 by whom proposed 83 * funds , , . , 84 plans 85 height, as computed with other structures 88 material 88 site 90 Winthrop's address 91 Mount Yernon, proposed purchase of 77, 79 Muir, Rev. James. His address on laying corner-stone of the District. . 29 Museum, National — what (note) 1 1 vi K Name of Tiber creek, how derived 28 Names of the City and District, by whom given SO of streets 33 National Institution — what 120 0. Owen, R. D., on the Smithsonian 100 P. Patterson, Dr. His table relative to representative population 19 Plan of city 83 Potomac. Reasons for selecting site on the 1 .5 Plan for connecting it with the Ohio river by canal 51 introducing its water into the city (note) 28, 57 Presents to government officers (riote) ft 119 R. Robbins, Senator, his plan for the Smithsonian .J 98 Rome or Room, original name of Capitol Hill 2S Rush, R. His plan for the Smithsonian 97 IV INDEX. s. Page. Scott, Thomas. His resolution relative to site 9 Seney, Joshua — states the preferences of Maryland 8, 1 1 Seacoast, advantages of having government near the ... 15 Site, description of the 27 Slavery at Washington 64 Smithsonian Institution 91 , words of bequest 91, Life of Smithson 92, 93, 94, 95 his intentions 99, 113 debate as to acceptance 99 various plans proposed 97,98 discussion on Mr. Tappan's bill 98, 99 Owen's bill 100 passage of the bill 101 synopsis of the act 101 discussions among the Regents 103 plan of dividing funds Ill Secretary Henry on the cost 110 finances of Institution 109 remarks 109 the visitorial board 113 proposed regulations 113 as to honorary members 113 building. 115 reception of government museum 117 Soil, cession of, how regarded 15 South Carolina. Objection to Philadelphia urged by members from ... 11 South Sea Exploring Expedition, collections 95 States. Plan for squares to be improved by each of the 35 Story, Mr. Justice. His opinion on the proprietor's rights 24 T. Tappan, Senator. On the Smithsonian 99 Taxes. Should the nation pay taxes ? 55 Territory, Western, its gro'Wth predicted in 1790 18 Tiber creek, name how derived 28 Treasury building, mistake in the site. • 39 Vining, John— predicts growth of Western Territory 18 Virginia. Donation for public buildings by (note) 41 Action with regard to purchase of Mount Vernon 78, 79 W. Washington city, false impressions concerning 6 description of its site • 27 INDEX. V Page. Washington city, interest excited by its establishment. 30 magnificent intentions 35 its name, by -whom given 30 plan, magnitude, the encroachments thereon,