thorities of this and neighboring cities; many associations, civil and military and
HISTORY. 117
Masonic; officers of the Smithsonian Institution and National Institute; professor*
of colleges and teachers of schools of the District of Columbia, with their students
and pupils, and a vast concourse of people from places near and remote, including
a few surviving gentlemen who witnessed the laying of the corner-stone of the
Capitol by President Washington, on the eighteenth day of September, seventeen
hundred and ninety-three.
" If, therefore, it shall be hereafter the will of God thet this structure shall fall
from its base, that its foundation be up-turned, and this deposit brought to the eye
of men, be it known that, on this day, the Union of the United States of America
stands firm ; that their Constitution still exists unimpaired, and with all its original
usefulness and glory, growing every day stroflger and stronger in the affections of
the great body of the American people, and attracting more and more the admira-
tion of the world. And all here assembled, whether belonging to public life or to
private life, with hearts devoutly thankful to Almighty God for the preservation of
the liberty and happiness of the country, unite in sincere and fervent prayers that
this deposit, and the walls and arches, the domes and towers, the columns and en-
tablatures, now to be erected over it, may endure forever!
*' God save the United States of America ! Daniel Webster,
'â– 'â– Secretary of State of the United Stattsy
Daniel Webster, the orator of the day, concluded the cere-
monies in an eloquent address.
Ill 1855 Congress authorized tlie removal of the Dome over
the centre of the Capitol, and the construction of a new one
of iron, according to the plans of Mr. Walter. Tlie fii-st Dome
was built of wood. In the fire of 1851, wliich consumed the
interior of the Library of the United States, this Dome was
In imminent danger. Though it escaped destruction, the
lesson suggested its removal, which was done in 1856. In its
place the erection of the present Dome of iron, finished in
1865, was undertaken. The inner shell of the first Dome was
ornamented with panels or caissons, and modeled after that
of the Pantheon of Agrippa at Rome. It was smaller in size,
the Dome of the Capitol being 96 ft. in height and diameter,
and 122^ ft. to the skylight. "The Dome of the Pantheon was
142 ft. in diameter, which was about the same as the height,
one half being the height of the Dome and the circular open-
ing for light 23 ft. in diameter. Tlie outer shell of the Dome
of the Capitol was higher in iDroportion than its original in
Rome. The circular aperture at the apex was also covered
by a cupola, around which there was a balustrade, reached by
a stairway between the inner and outer shells. The access,
however, was inconvenient and dangerous. On one occasion
a lady slipped and fell upon the sash, breaking the glass, but
was prevented from precipitation to the pavement of the Ro-
tunda below by the strength of the frame.
The work on the Capitol was continued through the war of
tlie rebellion, 1861-'65. On December 12, 1863, at noon, the
statue of Freedom which surmounts the Dome was placed in
position. The flag of the United States was unfiu'led from
its crest, and was greeted by the shouts of thousands of citi-
zens and soldiers. A national salute of 35 guns was fired by
118 HISTORY OF CONGRESS.
a field battery in the E. Park, and was responded to by the
great guns of the chain of forts constituting the defenses of
the threatened Capital of tlie Nation.
The new Hall of the S. Extension was occupied by the
House of Kepresentatives Dec. 16, 1857, and that of the N.
by the Senate Jan. 4, 1859. The Capitol to date cost : main
Building, $3,000,000; Dome, $1,000,000; Extensions N. and
S., $8,000,000 ; misceUaneous, $1,000,000.
HISTORY OF CONGRESS.
The establishment of a General Union of the British Colo-
nies in N. America was early suggested as necessary to the
maintenance of English supremacy on the American conti-
nent, as well as to secure safety at home. In 1643 a Confed-
eracy of the Colonies of New England was formed, which
answered admirably as a means of defense and offense in the
affairs pertaining to that particular section.
On February 8, 1697, William Penn presented to the Board
of Commissioners in London '''A brief e and plaine scheam
how the English colonies on the north parts of America,
namely, Boston, Connecticut, Road Island, New York, New
Jerseys, Pennsilvania, Maryland, Virginia, and Carolina,
may be made more usef ull to the crown and one another's
peace and safety with an universal concurrence." This was
the first suggestion of a complete union of all the colonies for
purposes of external defense, or to act in matters exclusively
intercolonial. It was sixty-nine years after Penn made his
proposition to the Lords Commissioners that the First Amer-
ican Congress^ on Oct. 7, 1765, met in New York, in opposi-
tion to several measures of the British Parliament, chiefly
the stamp act.
The First Continental Congress, Peyton Randolph, of Va.,
President, met at Philadelphia in Sept., 1774, all the colonies
except Georgia being represented. The British king and
ministry were highly incensed at these "persons, styling
themselves delegates of his majesty's colonies in America,
having presumed, without his majesty's consent, to assemble
together at Philadelphia." A circular was sent to all the
colonial governors, and every effort was made, by threat or
intimidation, to frustrate the assembling of the proposed
Congress of 1775. The royal disapprobation of the proceed-
RATIFICATION OF CONSTITUTION. 119
ing had no effect whatever. The Congress met at the ap-
pomted time and place, and Peyton Kandolph, of Va., was
agahi chosen President. Since this gathering the American
Congress, Continental or General, as it was variously styled,
has liad an unbroken line of succession.
Sessions of the Continental Congress. — Commenced 1774,
Sept. 5, Philadelphia, Penn. ; 1775, May 10, Philadelphia,
Penn. ; 1776, Dec. 20, Baltimore, Md. ; 1777, March 4, Phil-
adelphia, Penn. ; 1777, Sept. 27, Lancaster, Penn. ; 1777,
Sept. 30, York, Penn. ; 1778. July 2, Philadelphia, Penn. ;
1783, June 50, Princeton, N". J. ; 1783, J^ov. 26,- Annapolis,
Md.; 1784, lS[ov. 1, Trenton, N". J.; 1785, Jan. 11, :N'ew
York City, N". Y., until the adoption of the Constitution of
the United States.
Presidents of the Continental Congress. 1774-1788.— Pey-
ton Randolph, Va., elected Sept. 5, 1774 ; Henry Middleton,
S. C, Oct. 22, 1774; Peyton Randolph, Va., May 10, 1775;
John Hancock, Mass., May 24, 1775; Henry Laurens, S. C,
]S"ov. 1, 1777; John Jay, N". Y., Dec. 10, 1778; Samuel
Huntingdon, Conn., Sept. 28, 1779; Thomas McKean, Del.,
July 10, 1781 ; John Hanson, Md., JS'ov. 5, 1781 ; Elias Bou-
dinot, I^. J., N'ov. 4, 1782 ; Tliomas Mifflin, Penn., Nov. 3,
1783; Richard Henry Lee, Va., j^ov. 30, 1784; ]N"athaniel
Gorliam, Mass., June 6, 1786; Arthur St. Clair, Penn., Feb.
2, 1787 ; Cyrus Griffin, Va., Jan. 22, 1788.
Under the Articles of Cojifederation, executed at Phila-
delphia July 9, 1778, Congress met annually on the first
Monday in N'ovember, till the Constitution of the United
States went into operation, in 1789.
Ratification of the Constitution. — The Constitution of the
United States of America was adopted September 17, 1787,
pursuant to a resolution dated February 21, 1787, of the Con-
gress assembled under the provisions of the Articles of Con-
federation. The ratification, in convention, by the thirteen
original States, was as follows: 1787, Dec. 7, Delaware; 1787,
Dec. 12, Pennsylvania ; 1787, Dec. 18, jS'ew Jersey ; 1788, Jan.
2, Georgia; 1788, Jan. 9, Connecticut; 1788, Feb. 6, Massa-
chusetts; 1788, April 28, Maryland; 1788, May 23, South Car-
olina ; 1788, June 21, New Hampshire ; 1788, June 26, Vir-
ginia; 1788, Julv26, New York; 1789, Nov. 21, North Carolina;
1790, May 29, Rhode Island.
The first Congress under the Constitution commenced March
4, 1789, held two sessions in New York City, and subsequent-
ly met in Philadelphia, Dec. 6, 1790. For the next ten years
the national capital found a resting place on the very spot
120 PRESIDENTS OF THE SENATE.
where the Continental Con^^ress of 1776 had given to the world
that great instrument of American freedom tlie Declaration
of Independence. The next step was to plant itself upon the
broad waters of the Potomac.
In June, 1800, the executive branch of the Government
was transferred from Philadelphia to the Permanent Seat
of Government^ and future Capital of the Republic establish-
ed, by the act of 1790. The 36th Congress, 2d Session, the
first which met in the City of Washington, assembled here
on Nov. 17, 1800, the third Monday of l!fov., but failed of a
quorum of the Senate till Nov. 21, on which day the Presi-
dent of the United States and House of Representatives
were notified of the organization of that body. On the next
day the President of the United States, John Adams, in
person, delivered an appropriate address to the two Houses
of Congress assembled in the Senate Chamber of the Capitol.
The Constitution requires that '•'•Congress shall assemble at
least once in every year, and such meeting shall be on tlie
first Monday m December, unless they siiall by law appoint
a different day." Article I section 1 of the Constitution
provides that all legislative powers therein granted shall be
vested in a Congress of the United States, which sliall consist
of a Senate and House of Hepresentatives. The Senate is
composed of two Senators from each State, chosen by the
Legislature tliereof for six years ; and each Senator has one
vote. The Senate is divided equally into three classes, so
that one third may be cliosen every second year, the senato-
rial term of a class always beginning with a new Congress.
The Senate has advisory as well as legislative powers. Pres-
ent number 74.
Presidents of the Seiiate. — (Vice Presidents of the United
States.)— 178d^ 1-4 Congress, John Adams, Mass. ; 1797, 5-6,
Thomas Jefterson, Va. ; 1801, 7-8, Aaron Bm-r, N. Y. ; 1805,
9-12, George Clinton, N. Y. ; 1813, 13-14, Elbridge Gerry,
Mass. ; 1817, 13-18, D. D. Tompkins, IST. Y. ; 1825, 19-22, J.
C. Calhoun, S. C; 1833, 23-24, Martin Van Buren, N. Y. ;
1837, 25-26, R. M. Johnson, Kv. ; 1841, 27, Jolm Tyler, Va. ;
1843, 28, vacant ; 1845, 29-30, G. M. Dallas, Penn. ; 1849,
31, Millard Fillmore, N. Y.; 1851, 32, vacant; 1853, 33-34,
W. R. King, 1 mo., Ala, ; 1853, 33-34, vacant; 1857, 35-36,
John C. Breckinridge, Ky. ; 1861, 37-38, H. Hamlin, Me. ;
1865, 39-40, A. Johnson, Tenn. ; 1867, 40, vacant; 1869, 41-42,
Schuyler Colfax, Ind. ; 1873, 43, Henry Wilson, Mass.
The House of Represeiitatives is composed of members
chosen every second year b}^ the people of the several States,
and are apportioned according to then- respective population.
president's house. 121
Representation, 292 members, 10 delegates, viz : Alabama,
8 ; Arkansas, 4 ; California, 4 ; Connecticut 4 ; Delaware, 1 ;
Florida, 2 ; Georgia, 9 ; Illinois, 19 ; Indiana, 13 ; Iowa, 9 ;
Kansas, 3 ; Kentucky 10 ; Louisiana, 6 ; Maine, 5 ; Marjdand,
6 ; Massachusetts, 11 ; Michigan, 9 ; Minnesota, 3 ; Mississip-
pi, 6 ; Missouri, 13 ; Nebrasl^a, 1 ; Nevada, 1 ; JSTew Hamp-
shh-e 3 ; New Jersey, 7 ; New York, 33 ; North Carolina, 8 ;
Oliio, 20 ; Oregon, 1 ; Pennsjdvania, 27 ; Kliode Island, 2 ;
South Carolina, o; Tennessee, 10; Texas, 6; Vermont, 3;
Virginia,' 9 ; West Virginia, 3 ; Wisconsin, 8 ; and one dele-
gate from each of the Territories of Arizona, Colorada, Dako-
ta, District of Columbia, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Utah,
Washington, and Wyoming. Delegates maj'" propose mea-
sures relating to their own Territory, but have no vote.
Speakers of the House of Representatives. — 1789, 1st Con-
gress, F. A. Muhlenberg, Penn.; 1791, 2, Jonathan Trum-
bull, Conn. ; 1793, 3, F. A. Muhlenberg, Penn. ; 1795, 4-5,
Jonathan Dayton, N. J. ; 1799, 6, Tiieodore Sedgwick, Mass. ;
1801, 7-9, Nathaniel Macon, N. C. ; 1807, lO-ll, Joseph B.
Varnum, Mass.; 1811, 12-13, Henry Clay, Ky. ; 1813, 13,
Langdon Cheves, S. C. ; 1815, 14-16, Henry Clay, Ky. ; 1819,
16, John W. Taylor, N. Y. ; 1821, 17, Philip B. Barbour, Va. ;
1823, 18, Henry Clay, Ky. ; 1825, 19, John W. Taylor, N.
Y.; 1827, 20-23, Andrew Stevenson, Va.; 1835, 24, John
Bell., Tenn. ; 1837, 25-26, James K. Polk, Tenn. ; 1841, 27,
R. M. T. Hunter, Va. ; 27, John White, Ky. ; 1843, 28, John
W. Jones, Va. ; 1845, 29, J. W. Davis, Ind. ; 1847, 30, R. C.
Winthrop, Mass. ; 1849, 31, Howell Cobb, Ga, ; 1851, 32-33,
Linn Boyd, Ky. ; 1855, 34, N. P. Banks, Mass. ; 1857, 35
James L. Orr, S. C. ; 1859, 36, W. Pennington, N. J. ; 1861,
37, Galusha A. Grow, Penn. ; 1863, 38-40, Schuyler Colfax,
Ind. ; 18G9, 41-43, J. G. Blaine, Me.
PRESIDENT'S HOUSE.
On the E. portion of the W. plateau of the city, 1^ m. from
the Capitol, stands the President's House, so designated in
the early official plans and documents relating to the city, but
since styled tlie Executive Mansion, and popularly the " White
House." The Pennsylvania-av. street cars, running E., pass
in front.
1 oo
J. <_I_J
PRESIDENT S HOUSE.
Grounds. — The otll(Mal resiiUMieo of the President of the
United States is situated in tlie eentre, near tlie N". limit of
lleservation No. 1 of the city, known as tlie President's
Grounds, and, revised nieasnrenient, eoniprisin.u: 80J a. The
ij;ronnds immediately eonneeted with the bnildini; consist of
about 20a. On the E"., about -i'A) ft. distant, is the Treasury De-
partment, antl the same distance on the W. are tliose of War,
Navy, and State, tlie latter now buildinij:. On either side,
between these buildiiii!:s and tlie President's House, is Exe-
cutive ail. In front a broad av., eonneethiji^ l^th and 17th sts.
W., sei>arates the N. Parlc from Ldfai/etfc Square, in which
is the Equestrian Statue of Oenenil'Jackson. Two i^ateways.
PBESIDKNT'S HOrSK — NOKTH FRONT.
connected by a semi-circular drive and footwalk, constitute
the entrances to tlic N. Park, and lead to the N. portico of
the buildiiiij^. This portion of tlie i^^rounds is laid out in walks
and parterres, with a fountain in the centre. On tlie E. and
W. the walks leave the tci'ounds by jj^ranite steps, and lead to
the executive ofHces. In 1841, on tiie E. of the N. Park was
a rustic o^-ateway of freestone, on either side of which stood a
lar«i^e wet^pinof willow. The wife of one of the Presidents,
upon boino; conij^ratulated upon her elevation, replied: "I
don't know that there is much cause for eonji^ratulation ; the
President of the United States ij;enerally comes in at the iron
gate (N.) and i::oes out at the weepino; willows." On the E.
is the bronze statue of Thomas Jcjl^'en^ony holding* in his 1. hand
the scroll of the Declaration of Independences and in the r.
a pen, just havinoj linished sij^ninoj the document. On the
base, r. side, is an insciiptiou, ''Presented by Uriah Phillips
president's house. 123
Levy, of tho United States Navy, to his fellow-citizens, 18.'J3."
On the 1. "P. T. David D'An<(ers, senlptor, }H'.i'.i. Fondre a
Paris par Honors (Jonon et ses deux lils." Captain Levy was
an ardent admirer of the suhject, and tlie purehaser of Mon-
tieello, the home of Jefferson. It iirst .stood in the Jlotiinda
of tlie Capitol, from w^hence it was removed to the sit(;of the
fountain JSJ". of the President's House, and in 187li to its pres-
ent position. The f^roiuids S. of the President's House; are
divided into twoi)arts hy the semi-f;ireular extension of Ex-
ecutive av. That part within the enclosure is private^ and is
adonnid with lawns, walks, trees, flowers, and a fountain.
'J'he Conservatories adjoinin;^ lie on the W. From a stand at
the fla;^-staff in front of the; S. portico, on every Saturday
afternoon during the sunmicr, the Marine Band discourses
music for the enjoyment of the President's family and the
puhlic. The same band plays on Wednesdays, during the
season, in the E. Park of the Capitol. The j^rounds S. of
Executive av. are sometimes designated hy the meanin;i:less
title of " White Lot."" On the W. are the PresidenVs Htables.
In the centre, runnini^ S., is a broad avenue, which connects
with the drive on the ^lall.
Description. — The President's House {E. Room open to vis-
itors every daij^ except Huaday^ from 10 a. m, to .^ p. m.) faces
N. and S., and is 170 ft. front by 8G ft. deep, two stories hi^^h,
broken by pilast<;rs of the order, and crowmid with a balus-
trade. The entire structure is built of freestone, painted
white. On the N. front projects a grand portico^ support<;d
on 8 Ionic columns, 2 on either side and 4 in front, and 4
corresponding^ pilasters in the rear. The outer intercolumni-
ation affords a shelter for carriages, from which steps ascend
to a broad platform in front of the main door. The centre
is for pedestrians. The S. front is adorned with a lofty semi-
circular colonnade of 6 columns, of the same style as th<j N".,
restin<^ on a rustic basement, and reached by 2 fli^^fits of
steps. On the W. are the Conservatories. The general style
Is a modification of Lienster House, Dublin, the residence
of the Duk(; of Lienster. The main door on the N. opens
into a spujcious vestibule or entrance hall^ 40 ft. front by 50
ft. deep. A sash screen, remov(;d on public occasions, di-
vides the entrance hall into two vmequal x^arts, securing
greater privacy for the suite of parlors on the S. The en-
trance hall is frescoed overhead. The medallions on either
side of the beautiful crystal chandelier are canvas. On the
walls of the hall and cori-idor, within the screen, are portraits
of Presidents John Adams, Van Buren, Tyler, Polk, Fill-
more, and Pierce, by Ilealy, purchased under the act of 1857.
124 president's house.
Tlic Wiulmiffton is by Stuart. Dnriiii;- the invasion of the
British one of the colored servants of President Madison cut
tliis picture from the frames, and in the tli;^ht of tlie Presi-
dent's household carried it to Tennall^'^tovvn, thus savin^j; it
from destruction. Tlie ])ortrait of Lincoln, by Cogswell,
was purchased in ISO!). Tlie small door on the r. opens into
the Waitini^ lloom, and the correspondin<>^ door on the 1.
into a passa<i^e a,t the foot of the pu])lic stairwiiy to the Ante
Koom. This passa_i>\! is also used for tlie Marine Band, when
performinu^ at receptions. AcrosH the passaj:^e is the East^
orii»,'inally desiij^ned for the liaiiqnetin.g Room^ and still so
used since 18;}7 — a beautiful apartment, 80 ft. by 40 ft., and
22 ft. hi,'i;h. 'i'he style of decoration is i)ure Greek, done in
187.-L iMie ceiliui^ is divided into three ])an(?ls, the centre
varied in ])attern, and all painted in oil. The walls are
raised ]iapei-, i>il(kul, and painted a drab ^ray. The wood-
work tiu'oui>iiout, inclndina; d:ulo, columns, pilasters, gir-
ders, cornice, and carved mantel-])ieces, are in white and
gold. Tliere are four mirrors on the side walls, and two at
eitlu^r end. IMie furniture and hangin<;'s of the Avindows are
in keeping. The rc^st of the lirst llooi" is ])rlvate.
Th(; centre door within the screini opens into the Oval^ or
Blue-Room,^ 40 by IJO ft., a brilliant ai)artment, beautifully
liuished in bhie and gold. Tlie ciiandelier is crystal, fitted
with a reflector. On t!ie mantel are a })air of French vases
of suy)erior design and workmanship. In this room the Pres-
ident receives (liplomalic ministers accredited to the United
States and presented for the (irst time. The President and
wife also recc^ive th{^ peoi)le liert^ on public occasions.
On tluOO., through a door, is the Green Room^ opening into
E. lioom, and on tiie VV. the Red Room, opening into the
State Dining Room, 40 by 30 ft., with a dining table for 36
covers, and suitable table ornaments. Tlu^ Green and Red
Rooms are 30 by 20 ft., and tastefully furnished. The Red
Room is also the family parlor. On the mantel-piece is a fine
gilt clock and i)air of FrcMich vases, one with a representa-
tion of the residence of Franklin at Passy, and the other
showing the environs of l*assy. At th(^ W. end of the corri-
dor are the Billiard Room and large Conservatory. In the
NW. corner, across tlu^ co!"i-idor, are the private dining room,
butler's pantry, and i)rivate stairs.
On the second floor, the E. part of the building is occu-
pied by the Executive Office and Ante Room,, the latter reached
by the public staircase through the door on the r. The Pres-
idenVs Office^ or Cabinet Room, is a fine apartment on the S.
side, opi)osite the S. door of the i)assage, at the head of the
public stairway, and looks out upon the S. portico. Adjoin-
president's house.
125
ing is the library, nsod also as a family sittini^ room, and
cnterod by a private door. The privatij portions of the sec-
ond floor are on the W. side, shut oil' from tlie E., and con-
sist of seven sleeping apartments.
In the basement are the servants' quarters, kitchens, store-
rooms, and vaults for fuel.
For formalities and receptions^ see General Information —
Etiquette.
'History, — Tlie President's House, or President's "Palace,"
as it is occasionally styled in the earli(;r documents, was the
first of tlie pu1)lic buildings erected af t.er the act of 1790. On
iSIarcli 14, 1792, the Commissioners of the city advertised for
plans of a Prcisident's House and Capitol. On July 16 fol-
lowing thes(5 plans were examined at G-eorgetown. The first
premium of $.>00 was awarded to .lames Hoban, of Charleston,
S. C, for the plan of a President's House. No selection was
made at that time for the Capitol. On Oct. 13, the same year,
the Commissioners, accompanied by the Freemasons, archi-
tects, and tlie inhabitants of Washington and Georgetown,
marched in procession to the President's House, and there,
with appropriate and solemn ceremonies, laid the corner-
stone of tliat structure.
president's house — SOUTH mONT.
The work was conducted under the direction of Mr. Hoban,
and was prosecuted under the same difficulties which sur-
rounded the Capitol. Mr. Weld, an English traveler, writ-
ing in 1795, alludes to the building as the finest in the coun-
126 president's house.
try, and much extolled by the people ; statinj^ that persons
found fault with it as being too large and too splendid for
the residence of any person in a republican country ; and to
use his own words, "certainly it is a ridiculous habitation
for a man who receives a salary that amounts to no more
than £5,625 per annum, and in a country where the ex-
penses of living are far greater than they are even in
London.'*
The first President to occupy the building was John Ad-
ams, who took possession in Nov., 1800, after the removal'
of the public offices to the permanent Seat of Government.
Previous to that time the Executive of the United States was
without a home owned by the nation. In I^ew York and
Philadelphia rented houses were occupied. The building up
to 1814 had cost $333,207. Mrs. Adams, in a letter to her
daughter, Nov. 21, 1800, thus alludes to some of the early
inconveniences attending a residence in this commodious
dwelling :
"The house is upon a grand and superb scale, requiring
about thirty servants to attend and keep the apartments in
proper order and perform the ordinary business of the house
and stables — an establishment very well proportioned to the
President's salary. The lighting of the apartments from
the kitchen to parlor and chambers is a tax indeed ; and the
fires we are obliged to keep to secure us from daily agues
is another very cheering comfort. To assist us in this great
castle, and render less attendance necessary, bells are whoUy
wanting — not one single one being hung tlirougli the whole
house, and promises are all you can obtain. Tliis is so great
an inconvenience, that I know not what to do or how to do,
* * * If tliey will put up some bells, and let me have
wood enough to keep fires, I design to be pleased. Sur-
rounded with forests, can you believe that wood is not to be
had, because people cannot be hired to cut and cord *t."
The President's House was destroyed by the British in
1814. After the evacuation the President occupied a fine
residence on the corner of New York av. and 18th st. NW.,
known as the "Octagon," and now used by the hydrographic
office of the Navy Department. In 1815 Congress authorized
the restoration of the President's House, which was done by-.