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De B. Randolph (De Benneville Randolph) Keim.

Washington and its environs: an illustrated descriptive and historical hand-book to the capital of the United States of America

. (page 14 of 28)

rear of the outer row of desks wa s a bronzed iron railing with
curtains, constituting the bar of the House. Outside of this
vi^as the lobby, 'i'lie panels on either side of the ladies' gal-
lery contained full-length portraits of Washington by Van-
derlyn, and Lafayette hj Aiy Scheffer, a present from the
distinguished Frenchman upon his last visit to the United
States. These are now in the House of Representatives.
Under these were copies of the Declaration of Independence,
in frames emblematically ornamented. At night the Hall was
lighted by ''solar gas" from a cliandelier at the apex of the
dome. This Hall was occupied by Congress for 32 years.
During the first days of the Rebellion, 1861-'65, troops were
quartered in it. In 1862 it was used as a hospital for the sick
and wounded of the army ; and in 1864, by act of Congress,
was set apart for its present appropriate purpose.

Soutli or " House " Extension.— The S. door of the N'ational
Statuary Hall opens into a broad corridor, which constitutes
the beginning of the S. Extension of the Capitol, devoted en-
tirely to the uses of the House of Representatives, the lower
branch of the Congress of the United States. This portion
of the building corresponds, in its general features, with the
Senate Extension, the larger size of the Hall of the Repre-



HOUSE EXTENSION. 109

sentatives constituting the only difference. The E. staircase^
the same as the Senate, leads to the galleries for diplomatic
representatives and families of members of Cono-ress. At the
foot, is the Statue of Jefferson^ by Powers, 1863, $10,000, ex-
ecuted in Italy, very superior. Opposite, over tiie first land-
ing, is an equestrian portrait of General Winfield Scott^ by
Troye, (not owned by the Government,) painted for the Vir-
ginia legislature, the rebellion breaking out before it was de-
livered." The main entrance into the vestibule beyond will be
fitted with a bronze door, the designs of which were prepared
by Crawford, sculptor of the Senate door, previous to his
death, and executed, in model, by Khinehart, $9,000, and are
now stored in the building. The door will represent scenes
in the life of Washington. The vestibule consists of 8 fluted
columns in coujjles, with capitals enriched with acanthus, to-
bacco, and corn leaves. In the walls are niches. On the 1.
of the S. corridor is the Members^ Retiring Boom, now used by
the Official Reporters. The lobby beyond and the floor of the
Hall are open to tlie public diu-ing a recess or adjournment.
At other times a member of the House can pass visitors into
the former. The rules of the House designate those privi-
leged to tlie floor. The lobby has an iron-paneled ceiling,
decorated in oil, after the style of the 15th century. On the
r. the doors open into the Hall, and on the 1. is the Sergeani-
at-Arms'' Room, in which the 3Iace is kept when the House ol
Representatives is not in session. The Speaker'' s Room, next
on the 1., is entirely finished in h^on, enriched with gilt. The
furniture and fittings are extpjsmely fine. On the walls are
engravings or photographs of the Speakers. On the 1. of the
W. corridor are the Offices of the House. On the same cor-
ridor is the W. staircase, the same as on the E. At the foot
is the head of Bee-she-kee, The Bulialo, a Chippewa loarrior
from the sources of the Mssissippi, from nature by F. Vin-
ccnti, 1854 ; copied in bronze by Joseph Lassalle, 1858. Op-
posite, over the first landing, is Westward Ho, a chromo-silica,
by Emanuel Leutze, 1862, $20,000. The best view is from
the balustrade at the top of the staircase. The painting rep-
resents an emigrant train crossing the Rocky Moimtains. The
figures are excellent, and the face of nature in those high al-
titudes is faitlifuUy portrayed. A guide to these wild regions
leads the way. The faces of the travel-worn emigrants beam
with hope. In tlie distant valley in the rear is an emigrant
camp. The snow-clad peaks and rugged rocks all appear in
their wild sublimity. Above ar^ the words "Westward the
Course of Empire takes it w^ay," and below is the "Golden
Gate," the entrance to the harbor of San Francisco. The
entu*e picture is surrounded by an appropriate border. In



no



HALL OF TEE HOTTp-R.




MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE.



Ill



REPRESENTATIVES.



East Side.



1 A. R. Cotton

2 J. W. Begole

3 W. H. I-amport

4 J. G. Schumaker
6 A. H. Willie

6 M. Sayler

7 W. P. McLean

8 T. Swann

9 H. W. Parker
10 S. 8. Coi,

il R. M. Speer

12 A. H. Stephens

13 H. B. Smith
'14 J. Coburn

lb I. W. Scudder

16 J. B. Storm,

17 J. B. Clarke, Jr.

18 A. H. Buckiier

19 R. B. Vance

20 A. White

21 DeW. C. Giddings

22 W. S. Herndon

23 J. D. C. Atkina

24 G. M. Adami

25 J. Hancoc'c

26 J. M. Pendleton

27 J. W. Killiager

28 D. A. Nunn

29 C. St John

30 C. L. Cobb

31 H. Maynard
82 L. B. (.iunckel

33 A. H. Smith

34 T. Whitehead

35 W. M. Robbins

36 J. M. I^ach

37 L. Q. C. Lamar
33 J. B. Beck



Towal

Mich

N. Y.

N. Y.

Tex

0.

Tei

Md

N. H.

N.Y.
Pa
Ga

N. T.
Ind

N J.
Pa.
Mo
Mo'

N. c!

Ala

Tex

Tex

Tenu

Ky

Tex

R. L

Pa

Tenn

N. Y.

N. C.

Tenn

0.

Pa

Va

N. C.

X. C.

Mia3

Ky



39 C. A. Eldredge

40 W. R. Roberts

41 P. Cook

42 W. J. O'Brien

43 W. S. Holman

44 S. Archer

45 C. Pelham

40 D. M. De Witt

47 J. R. Lofland

48 T. J. Creamer

49 J. R. Eden

50 G. Barrere

51 J. Q. Smith

52 D. W. Goooh

53 S. Hooper

54 M. Rawls

55 H. P. Bell
5i) H. K. Harris

57 A. Comingo

58 J. M. Glover

59 M. J. Durham

60 A. Mitchell

61 W. li. Head
02 L. T. Neal
63 R. Hamilton
04 M. I. Southard
65 F. Wood

60 R. P. Bland

67 J. Wilson

68 E. R. Hoar

69 S. W. Kello;rg

70 C. C. Sheats

71 S. F. Hereey,

72 E. K. Wilson

73 M. W. Field

74 J. Berry

75 J. McNuIta

76 A. M. WaddeU



Wis

N. Y.

Ga

Md

Ind

Md

Ala

N. Y.

Del

N. Y.

Ill

111

0.

Mass

Mass

Ga

Gal

Gal

Mo

Mo

Wis

Ky

0.

N.J.

0.

N. Y.

Mo

Iowa

Mass

Conn

Ala

Me.

Md

Mich

0.

Ill

N. C.



T. S. Ashe

J. H. 81033

T. T. Crittenden
J. T. Brown.
W. E. Niblack
R. M. Enapp
J. T. Harris
J. C. Robinson

E. Perry
Hiester Clymer
C. N. Lamison

F. Hereford
E. Wells
H. L. I'ierce
C: Hays
J. H.l-latt, Jr
J. K. Hawley
J. M. Hagans

G. WiUara
H. W. Barry
J. H. Blount

E. D. Standeford
C. W. Milliken
C. W. Kendall
S. S. Marshall
R. Q. MUl3
J. A. Magee
P. M. B. Young
R. A. Hatcher
E.CrosBland
W.C.Whitthome Tenn
J.O.Whitehouse N.
W. R. Morrison

F. Morey
C. B. Farwell
W. H. Stone
C. N. Potter
H. 0. Jewett



Ala

Mo

Ky

Ind

111

Va

HI

N. Y.

Pa

0.

W. V.

Mo

Ma>3

Ala

Va

Com

W. Va

Mich

Miss

Ga

Ky
Nov
111
Tex
I'a
Ga
Mo
Ky



115 J. A. Smith

116 W. Townsend

117 L. K. Bass

118 A. F. Pike

119 1. R. Sherwood

120 W. H. Barnum

121 A. Hodges
122

123 W. S. Moore



V»
Pa

N. Y.
N. H.
0.
Conn
Ark.

Pa



124 M. K. .Armstrong Dak
"' W. Vo



III
La
111
Mo
N. Y.
0.



125 J. J. Dayis
126

127 N. P. Chipman

128 W.E.Arthur

129 J. H. Caldwell
loO S. J. Randall
Vi\ J. W. Nesmith
132 H. B. Banning
laa S. K. AVolfe

134 J. D. Young

135 J. K. Luttrell

136 J. M. Bright

137 L. Todd

138 E. Hun ton

139 A. M. Davis

140 R. T. Bowen

141 A. R. Howe

142 J. Hailey

143 L. A. f^heldon

144 F. G. Bromberg

145 R. C. McCormick Ar.T

146 W. R. Steele Wg.T.

147 0. B. McFadden Wa.T.

148 n. O. Cannan U. T.
14y Sf.Majinnis. M. T.

150 F, CUrk. N. i.

151 J. B. Sener A"a



D. C.

Ky

Ala

Pa

Ore

0.

Ind

Ky

Cal

Tenn

la

Va

Va

Va

Mi^s

Id.T.

La

Ala



West Side.



Wis
Mass
N. Y.
N. Y.
0.
N. Y.
Pa
Mich



0. P. Snyder Ark

C. Clayton Cal
A. S. Wallace S. C.
H.n. starkweather Conn
J. Cessna Pa
G. W. Hazelton
.\. Crocker
P. 8. Crooke
S. L. Woodford
J. Monroe,

D. B. :\;ellish
J. S. Nerley
W. B. Williama
W. H. Ray
N. B. Bradley
J. N. Tvnpr
W. P. Sprague
W. P. Frve

1. C. Parker
L. D. Shoemaker
G. L. Fort
S. Ross
L. P. Poland
G. W. Seofield
C. B. Curtis
J. D. Lawson
R. H. Duell
A. C. Havmer
L. D. Woolworth
M. L. Ward
G. S. Orth
R. R. Butler
C. R. Th.Mn!i3
H. WaldTon
J. W. Hazelton
J. C. Burrows
C. Albricht
J. A. HubbeU



Mich ! 53

Ind 1 54

55

Me 50

Mo ' 57

Pa ; 58

111159

Pa! 00

Vt I 01

PajC2

Pa 03

N. Y. 04

N. Y. 65

Pa'eg

0. ,07

N. J. :68

Ind 69

Tenn 70

N. 0.171

Mich 1 72

N. J. i73

Mich ' 74

Pa 75

Mich 76



G. W. Hendee
J. M. Wilson
G. W. McCrary
H. L. Dawes

B. T. Eames
G. F. Hoar
H. S. Bundy,
J. Niles

P. Sawyer

C. G. Williams
E. 0. Stanard
H. 0. Pratt

D. Wilber

J. H. Burleigh
W. E. Lansing
W. J, Albert
H. L. Richmond
J. B- Packer
J. T. Averill
C. W. Willard

B. W. Harris
H. H. Hathom
W. A. Smith

C. L. Mcrriam
c. Foster

W. Williams
JI. H. Dunnell
H. B. Strait,
H E. Havens
J. A. Kasson
I. Clements
W. G. Donnan
J. W. McDill
W. W. Phelps
C. D. MacDougall
H. F. Page
S. A. Dobbins
A. Claxk, Jr.



Ind

Iowa '

Mass,

R. 1. 1

Mass!

0.1

Miss

Wis

Wis

Mo'

Iowa

N. Y.

Me

N. Y.

Md

Pa

Pa

Minn

Vt

Mass

N. Y.

N. C.

N. Y.

0.

Ind

Minn

Minn

Mo

Iowa

III

Iowa

Iowa

N.J.

N. Y.

Cal

N.J.

N.J.



W. Loughridce
W. Crutchfieid

D. P. Lowe
H. B. Sayler
J.D. Strawbridge
J. D. Ward

W. D. Kelley
J. M. Rusk
M. C. Hunter

E. H. Roberta
L. Myers

H. C" Burchard
S. A. Hurlburt
J. S. Martin
J. B. Hawley
G. C. McKee

A. J. Ransier
K. H. Whiteley,
,T. R. Lynch

J. S. Smart
J. H. Rainey
J. T. Walls

B. F. Butler
L. Lowndes, Jr
S. B. Elkins

S. 0. Houffhton
J. B. Chaffee
J. W. Robinson

B. Lewis
J.M.Thomburgh
H. J. Scudder

C. O'Neill

J. C. Freeman
J. B. Rice

F. Corwin

W. L. Sessions
W. A. Phillips
W. A. Wheeler



Iowa 115

Tenn 1 110

Kan 117

Ind 118

Pa 119

111 120

Pa i 121

Wis 1 122

Ind 1 123

N. Y. i 124

Pa 125

111 1 120

111:127

111-128

111 ' 129

Miss: 130

S. C. 1 131

Ra. 1 132

M MS 133

K. Y. ,134

S. C. ' V&

Fla 136

Mass 137

Md,138

N. M. !l39

Cal 1 140

C. T. 1141

0ll42

Tenn ; 143

Tenn i 144

N. Y. '145

Pa 146

Ga 147

111 148

111 149

N. Y. 1150

Kan ! 151

N. Y.l



E. Hale
R. S. Hale
J. A. Gaifield
R. C. Parsons
C. B. Darrall
W. J. Hvnes
G. L. Smith
R. H. Cain
J. P. C. Shanks
W. J. Purman
J. H. Sypher
A. S. McDill
J. Orr
I. B. Hyde
J. Buffinton
T. J. Cason
L. Danford
A. W. Taylor
H. H. llarribcn
L. Crounie
W. H. H. Stowell



Me
N.Y.

0.

0.

La

Atk

La

S. C.

Ind

Fla

La

Wig

Iowa

Mo

Mass

Ind

0.

Pa

Tenn

Neb

Va



J. M. S. Williams Mass



J. T. Kapier
0. D. Conger
G. Willard
L. Tremain
G. G. lloskins
T. C. Piatt
J. G. Cannon
W. B. Small
J. A. Barber
J. Packard
R. B. Elliott
W. Lawrence
S. A. Cobb,
J. S. Biery
E. McJunkin



Ala

Mich

Jlich

N. Y.

N. Y.

N. Y.

lU

N. H.

Wis

Ind

S. C.



Kan

Pa

P«



112 HALL OF REPRESENTATIVES.

that on the IST. is a portrait of Daniel Boone, and below the
words —

*' The spirit grows with its allotted space.
The mind is narrowed in a narrow sphere."

Opposite is a portrait of Capt. William Clarice, and beneath
the words —

*' No pent-up Utica contracts our powers.
But the whole boundless continent is ours.'"

Second Floor. — The visitor has now reached the second
story, or gallery floor. The corridors on the W., where he
stands, and on the l!^. and E., are open to the public. That
on the S. is devoted to the Press Telegraph Offices^ and Re-
porters Retiring Room in the W. half, and Ladies^ Retiring
Room on the E". The latter is reached by the IST. and E. cor-
ridors, the entrance being at the S. end of the latter, riglit-
hand side. The House Document Library, containing about
60,000 vols., is on the ^. corridor centre, IST. side. Commit-
tee rooms open from the outside upon the E. and W. corri-
dors. The corridors are neatly but plainly finished, in stucco
ornamentations, on tinted and plain background.

G-alleries. — The galleries entered from the W. doors are
for ladies or gentlemen accompanied by ladies ; on tlie ZsT.
for gentlemen; on E. families of members and diplomatic
representatives and ladies ; and on the S., in centre, mem-
bers of tlie press and ladies on either side. The entrances
to all these galleries, during the sessions of Congress, are
guarded by doorkeepers, whose duty it is to seat the people,
and to see that proper decorum is observed.

The Hall of the Eepresentatives— or the "House of Rep-
resentatives," occupies the centre of the main floor of the S.
Extension of the Capitol. The dimensions of this superb
legislative hall, the finest in tlie world, are : length, 139 ft. ;
width, 93 ft. ; height, 36 ft. The measurement of the floor
is 115 ft. by 67 ft. The form of the hall is a parallelogram,
with a range of galleries on the four sides, and capable of
seating about 2, 500 persons . Beneatli these galleries, against
the N., E., and W. w^alls, are cloak and retiring rooms.
Under the galleries, over the back of the Speaker's chair, is
the lobby.

Upon the floor of the Hall are oak desks for 302 members
and delegates, arranged in 7 concentric semi-circles, facing
the S. The aisles diverge from the Speaker's "desk." The
latter is raised about 3 ft. from the floor. In front are desks
for the clerks of the House, and still in front desks for the
official reporters. These are made of white marble, with a



BASEMENT. 113

base of Tennessee, and are extremely beautiful. The clock
marks the mornmg hour and limit of debate. E. of the
Speaker is a circular pedestal of Vermont marble, upon which
tlie mace or ijisignia of authority is placed when the House is
in session. When not in use, this may be seen in the room of
the Sergeant-at-Arms in the SE. end of the lobby. It con-
sists of a bundle of lictor's rods, bound together by silver liga-
tures, and surmounted by a silver terrestial globe, cro\\'ned by
the American eagle. Against the wall on the same side is a
full-length portrait of Washington, by Vanderlyn, 1834, and
in the corresponding position on tlie W. a similar portrait of
the Marquis de Lafayette,by Ary Scheffer,1822, the celebrated
Frencli artist. The latter was presented to Congress by La-
fayette upon liis last visit to tlie United States. In the W.
panel of the S. wall, under the gallery, is a fresco by Bru-
midi, representing Washington at Yorktown receiving the
officer sent by Cornwallis to ask a two days' cessation of hos-
tilities, and in place of which two hours were granted. The
fresco was necessarily finished in great haste. The location
is also unsuitable. Over the IS", door is a clock, surmounted
by an eagle, and supported on either side by figiu-es of an In-
dian and hunter.

The ceiling of the Hall is of cast iron, paneled, and highly
enriched with gilt moldings, and supported on a decorated
cornice. There are 45 panels, filled with glass of appropriate
design, 37 Avith stained centre pieces, representing the coats
of arms of the States. There are two outer rows of panels,
that nearest the walls consisting of open work with massive
pendants in the centre. The iron frame-work of the panels
is beautifully painted and gilded. Between the ceiling and
the roof of the building is the illuminating loft, which also
accommodates the truss-work connectmg the frame of the
ceiling with the roof, in order to secure increased .strength.
Inside the panels are gas jets, numbering about 1,500, lighted
by electricity, and which, during night sessions, shed a mel-
low light upon the Hall beneath. Tlie Hall is heated and
ventilated by the same means as devised for the Senate.

Basement. — The basement, reached beneath the E. or W.
staircase, is entirely without decoration. The central cor-
ridor, 25 ft. wide from N". to S., consists of a fine colonnade
of 14 fluted marble columns on each side, with capitals
formed of acanthus, tobacco, and corn leaves. The walls
are scagliola, imitating Sienna marble, the ceiling h'on, and
the floor of encaustic tiles. On the 1. is the "House" Re-
fectory. The central corridor on the left passes the bath
rooms, and terminates in the E. vestibule. The narrow
8



114 HISTORY.

passage on the 1. leads to the steps to the vaults and sub-
basement, in which are the kitchens, heating and ventilat-
ing apparatus, and coal vaults. These are materially the
same as beneath the Senate.

Committee Rooms, — The only committee room of special
interest is that on Agriculture, in the basement, on the W.
side of the W. corridor S., and near the foot of the W. stair-
case. This room was decorated by Brumidi in 1855, tlie tirst
work of the kind done on the Capitol, and, with the excep-
tion of the panels, is frescoed throughout. On the ceilings
are representations of the four seasons, symbolized in Flora,
Ceres, Bacchus, and Boreas. On the E. wall is a fresco
representing Cincinnatus called from the plow to be Dictator
of Rome. On the opposite wall is a corresponding scene, rep-
resenting Putnam called from the plow to join in the battles
of the Revolution. On the S. is a medallion of Washington,
and beneath a Harvest in the Olden Time. Opposite Jefferson,
and beneath, a Harvest Scene with Moderji Improvements.
This room may be seen by rapping at the door or making
inquiry of one of the Capitol Police.

The visitor has now seen the gi-ander features of the Capi-
tol. Those portions having no special interest have been
purposely omitted, it being considered unnecessary to burden
him with useless and unimportant details.

Capitol Police.— The Capitol is patrolled by a special police
corps, organized in 1862, and under the exclusive control of
Congress. The oflScers and privates are invariably courteous,
and will take pleasure at all times in dh-ecting or escorting
strangers to various parts of the building.

Architects of the Capitol.— 1793, Dr. William Thornton, of
Penn., an amateur, designer of the Capitol; 1793, Stephen
Hallet, France; 1794, James Hoban, S. C; 1795, George
Hadfield, England ; 1796, James Hoban, S. C. ; 1797, George
Hadfleld, England ; 1803, R. H. Latrobe, Md. ; 1817. Charles
Bulflnch, Mass. ; 1851, Thomas U. Walter, Penn. ; 1865, Ed-
ward Clark, Penn.

History. — The site of the Capitol, if not chosen, was ap-
proved by Washington, in the original plans of the city, sub-
mitted to him by L'Enfant, and in the summer of 1791 was
located by the commissioners. On this occasion Mr. EUicott
drew the mer-idian and the E. and W. lines, at the intersection
of whicli the Capitol was to stand. This having been accom-
plished, in March, 1792, the commissioners prepared adver-
tisements, which were published in the principal towns and



HISTORY. 115

cities of the United States, oflferin^ a premium of $500, or a
medal, for a plan of a President's House and Capitol. In this
matter Jefferson took an active interest. During his resi-
dence in Europe he had collected drawings of the fronts of
celebrated public buildings. These were now produced for
examination. He suggested, in the present instance, that
the style of architecture of the Capitol should be taken from
some model of antiquity, and that the President's House
should be modern. In response to the advertisements, a
number of plans were submitted, but in the selection of one
for the Capitol there was a variety of opinions.

A plan by Dr. Wm. Thornton, of Penn., but materially al-
tered and improved by others, was approved by Washington
and submitted to Stephen Hallet, a French architect, who was
intrusted with its execution. On Sept. 18, 1793, the corner-
stone of the edifice, SE. corner, was laid by Brother George
Washington, assisted by the Worshipful Masters and Free
Masons of the surrounding cities, the military, and a large
number of people. The silver plate deposited in the cavity
of the stone bore the following inscription :

*'This southeast corner-stone of the Capitol of the United States of America, in
the City of Washington, was laid on the i8th day of September, 179J, in the thir-
teenth year of American Independence, in the first year of the second term of the
Presidency of George Washington, whose virtues in the civil administration of his
country have been as conspicuous and beneficial, as his military valor and prudence
have been useful in establishing her liberties, and in the year of Masonry, S79J, by
the President of the United States, in concert with the Grand Lodge of Maryland,
•everal Lodges under its jurisdiction, and Lodge No. Z2 from Alexandria, Virginia.

*' Thomas Johnson, David Stewart, and Daniel Carroll, Commissioners ; Joseph
Clarke, R. W. G. M. P. T. ; James Hoban and Stephen Hallate, Architects ; Collin
Williamson, M. Mason."

After ascending from the cavazion, the Grand Master, P. T.,
Joseph Clarke^ delivered an oration, during which, at inter-
vals, volleys were fired by the artillery. The ceremony closed
in prayer, Masonic chanting honors, and a national salute of
15 guns.

The President wore the apron and full regalia of a Mason.
The gavel used on the occasion was of ivory, and is still pre-
served as a treasured relic by Lodge N'o. 9 of Georgetown.

After the dedicatory ceremonies the entire assemblage
took part in a barbecue arranged for the occasion in the E.
Park.

The N". Wing was ready for occupation in 1800. In the
completed wing the Senate on the W. side. House of Repre-
sentatives on E., and Supreme Court in the basement, first
held their sessions. In 1801 the House occupied a temporary
structure called the " Oven," erected on the site of the pres-
ent S. Extension. In 1805 it returned to its first apartment
in the N. Wing. In 1803 President Jefferson appointed R . H.



116 HISTORY.

Latrobe Architect of the Capitol. This gentleman made rad-
ical changes in the elevation and ground-plan of the building,
raising the floor from the ground story to the principal order
over the casement. The S. Wing was in readiness for the
occupation of Congress in 1811. The central portions were
still miiinished. An unsightly wooden passage connected
the two wings. During the war of 1812 work on the build-
ing was suspended. In 1814 the interior of both wings was
destroyed bj'^ the British, after which Congress, on Sept. 19,
1814, met temporarily in the structure known as Blodgett's
Hotel, situated on the E-st. front of the square now occupied
by the General Post Office. The session of Congress com-
mencing Dec. 18, 1815, assembled in a building on the SE.
corner of A and 1st sts. KE., erected by the citizens of
Washington for the pm-pose, and was occupied till the res-
toration of the S. Wing of the original Capitol.

In 1815, after an obstinate discussion, for a time threatening
the most serious consequences to the harmony of the Union,
Congress determined to restore the Capitol. The work of res-
toration was commenced by Mr. Latrobe, who resigned in
1817. President Monroe appointed Charles Bulfinch, of Bos-
ton, as his successor. That architect commenced the central
portions of the building, including the Kotunda and Library,
in 1818, which were completed in 1827. In 1818 a temporary
building was erected near the Capitol for the use of commit-
tees of' Congress. The plans of Latrobe, with a few slight
modifications, were carried out, and the entire structure, with
terraces and grounds, was completed in 13 years, at a cost, in-
cluding alterations, repairs, &c., and improvement of grounds
to 1851, when the Extensions were added, of $2,690,459 21. In
Sept., 1850, Congress passed an act authorizing the extension
of the Capitol. Thomas U. Walter, the architect of Girard
College, at Philadelphia, in June, 1851, submitted a plan of
extension to President Fillmore. This was accepted, and Mr.
Walter was designated to carry it into execution. The corner-
stone of the S. extension was laid on July 4, 1851. The fol-
lowing is a copy of the record deposited beneath the corner-
stone :

"On the morning of the first day of the seventy-sixth year of the Independence
of the United States of America, in the City of Washington, being the 4th day of
July, 1851, this stone, designed as the corner-stone of the Extension of the Capitol,
according to a plan approved by the President, in pursuance of an act of Congress,
was laid by

MILLARD FILLMORE,

President of the United States,

ssistcd by the Grand Master of the Masonic Lodges, in the presence of many
members of Congress; of officers of the Executive and Judiciary departments.
National, State, and District j of officers of the Army and Navy; the corporate au-


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