" 1820,
4.940,
894,
1,526,
7,360
« 1830,
6,057,
1,209,
1,175,
8,441
Annalostan Island. — Opposite'
to Georgetown is Mason's Island pro-
perly called Annalostan Island.
It is the seat of Gen. John Mason.
It has a highly cultivated surface of
about 70 acres, — the natural soil,
light and sandy. A causway on the
Virginia side, and a horse boat ferry
from Georgetown, facilitates commu-
nication with this beautiful spot from
the shores. The hio-hest ground
above the level of the river is elevated
about 50 feet, and upon this eminence.
the dwelling is situated. The usual
tides rise about 3 feet. In disrsfino-
for water, it is procured at the depth
of 20 or 30 feet from the surface. Aga-
tized wood has been discovered in
well digging. The house which is
approached through a fine avenue of
trees, is extensive, with a number of
convenient buildings attached: from it
the public buildings in Washington
are seen to advantage. On the N.
side of the Island an alluvial mea-
dow is rapidly forming. The S. side
is substantially walled, and dotted
with neat white cottages for servants
buildings.
Warden justly remarks, that "the
view from this spot is delightful. It
embraces the picturesque banks of the
Potomac a portion of the city, and a
noble expanse of water. Numerous
vessels ply backwards and forwards
to animate the scene.
Georgetown College. — This
C(
on the northern bank of the Potomac,
commands a full view of Georgetown,
Washington, the Potomac, and a great
part of the District. Its situation is
peculiarly healthy. It is under the
direction of the incorporated Catholic
clergy of Maryland, and is the oldest
Catholic seminary in the United
States: it was first incorporated in
1799: and in 1815, it received an ex-
tension of its privileges from Con-
gress, and was authorized to confer
degrees. The college library con-
tains 12,000 volumes. The academic
or college year commences on the
15th of September, and ends on the
31st of July; and commencement is
near the last of July. The number of
students is usually about 140 or 150;
a considerable part of them being daj^
scholars. The number of graduates
is not great. The number graduated
at the commencement of July 25, 1833
was 7. — There are 19 professors and
tutors, of whom 3 are professors of
theology.
The course of ordinary studies is
completed in 7 years, at the end of
which, if the student has made suffi-
cient progress, he may receive the de-
gree of Bachelor of Arts. When a
scholar presents himself to be receiv-
ed into the College, he is examined
by the prefect of studies, and placed
in that class, for which his prior ac-
quirements may have fitted him, he
chen passes on in regular succession
ollege which is pleasantly situated [to the final class of Logic and Moral
GEORGETOWN.
495
Philosophy. If he remain longer,
and study the higher branches of
Mathematics and Natural Philoso-
phy, he may take the degree of Mas-
ter of Arts.
Rules,Regulations and Course
of Instruction. — 1st. In the lowest
school or class of Rudiments, the
scholars study the English and
French Grammars, Caligraphy, A-
rithmetic, &c. — and at the conclusion
of this year (for each class, unless
some student by their particular ap-
plication and talents, should merit
promotion, occupies one year) they
are supposed to be able to read and
write English correctly.
2d. During the next year, (third
class of Humanities,) the scholars
continue to study the English and
French Grammars, and begin to com-
pose in those languages — Arithmetic
is continued and towards the end of
the year they commence the Latin
Grammar.
3d. In the second class of Humani-
ties, they continue English and
French composition, (these studies are
continued till the end of Rhetoric,)
and Arithmetic : they begin Latin ex-
ercises and read some easy Latin au-
thors — as Nepos, Csesar, &c. During
this year a course of Geography is
studied, and Greek is begun.
4th. In the first class of Humani-
ties, they read portions of Sallust, Ci-
cero's minor works, and some of
Ovid's Elegies, Prosody — and com-
mence History. They study portions
of the Greek Scripture, Xenophon,
and Lucian's dialogues. Algebra is
begun.
5th. In Poetry, Cicero's minor
works, Virgil, Efcprace, Livy and Ho-
mer, are read. History is continued
and a treatise of Mythology learned.
Mathematics continued.
6th. In Rethoric — The scholars
study Rhetoric, Cicero's Orations,
Homer, Virgil, Horace, History and
Mathematics.
7th. This year a course of Logic
and Moral Philosophy is studied-
Mathematics continued.
During the whole course, great at-
tention is paid to Composition, par-
ticularly English. There will always
be a class of Book-keeping; for the
convenience of those who wish to
learn it. The Italian, Spanish and
German languages will be also taught
if required. Music, Drawing, Dan-
cing, &c. will form additional char-
ges.
The College possesses a select Li-
brary of about 12,000 volumes, the
use of which is granted to the se-
nior students without any additional
charge.
There are two examinations in the
year. The minor one in February
or March, and the other immediately
before the commencement, which will
always be a day of public exercises,
towards the end of July.
No student is admitted, who cannot
read and has not a good moral cha-
racter.
As the members of the College pro-
fess the Catholic Religion, the exer-
cises of Religious worship are Cath-
olic, but members of other Religious
denominations are received, of whom
it is only required, that they respect-
fully assist at the public duties of re-
ligion with their companions. Were
not this enforced, no proper order,
such as should be found in large lite-
rary institutions, could exist in the
College.
No student \xi\\ be permitted to
leave the College on visits of any
length oftener than once a year, viz : ;
at the great vacation. If his parents
live in the District, he Avill be allowed
to visit them once a month, but not
oftener — and he must then always re-
turn to the College before night.
Terms. — Every student shall pay
on entering the College, ten dollars.
He shall bring a mattrass, a pillow,
two pillow cases, two pair of sheets,
four blankets and a counterpane, or
pay $6 per annum for the use of bed
496 DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, WASHINGTON CITY.
and bedding. Me must also bring
with him one suit of clothes, as a uni-
form — which is in winter, a blue cloth
coat and pantaloons with a black vel-
vet waistcoat; in summer, white pan-
taloons with a black silk waistcoat
are used.
He must likewise bring with him
two suits for daily wear, for which
no particular color is prescribed; six
shirts, six pair of stockings, six pock-
et handkerchiefs, three pair of shoes,
a hat and a cloak or great coat, also
a silver spoon. These articles if not
brought by the student will be furnish-
ed by the College and included in the
first bill.
The pension for board, washing,
mending and mending materials —
use of books, (philosophical and math-
ematical excepted,) pens, ink and
.writing paper, slates and pencils is
$150. Medical aid and medicine,
unless parents choose to run the risk
of a Doctor's bill in case of sickness,
$3 per annum. All chargest must
be paid half yearly in advance.
For the convenience of parents,
particularly those at a distance, the
College will undertake to supply the
Students with clothing. The annual
expense cannot be specified, as it de-
pends upon the age and wearing of
the student : all that can be said, is
the strictest economy and simplicity
will be observed. If parents wish
the College to supply their children
>vith clothes,- a deposit is required by
the College equivalent to the probable
expense^ of clothing for six months.
With regard to pocket money, it is
desired that all the students should
be placed on an equality, and that it
should not exceed 12^- cents per
week; and whatever is allowed must
be deposited in the hands of the di-
rectors of the College. Half-board-
l 'ers are received on the usual terms,
viz. $5 entrance, and $65 for board
per annum.
Day scholars, $5 for fuel and ser-
vants, as no charge is made for tuition.
Convent. — The Convent of the
Sisters of Visitation, is a plain, sub-
stantial, but gloomy-looking, monas-
tic institution, which must recall,
amidst its solitudes, to the recollection
of the contemplative mind, the touch-
ing story of Abelard and Eloisa. —
IThe solemnity of the scene is in strict
'keeping with the object of the edifice.
The visiter is admitted into the
speaking room, as it is called, which
is separated from. the sanctum-sancto-
rum, by substantial wooden bars, re-
sembling the grates of a prison. The
Sisters are clad in sable garments,
with deep black hoods, and white
veils descending to the waist. The
Nuns are from various States of the
Union, and generally number about
50. The process of initiation is the
same as the other nunneries, the no-
vitiate being two years, the first for
the white veil, and the second for the
black, after which, there can be no
retreat.
WASHINGTON CITY,
Washington City, the seat of
the General Government of the U.
S. of America, and capital of the Dis-
trict of Columbia, is situated on the
left or Maryland side of the Potomac,
near the head of tide water, and by the
river and Chesapeake bay, 290" ms.
from the Atlantic. It is 38 ms. S.
W. from Baltimore, 136 from Phiia-,
delphia, 225 from New York, 432 1
from Boston, 595 "from Augusta,
Maine, 546 from Detroit, Michigan,
1,068 from Little Rock, Arkansas,
856 from St. Louis, 1,203 from New
Orleans, 662 from Savannah, Georgia,
and 544 from Charleston, S. C. The
capitol stands in lat. 38° 52' 45"; long.
W. from the observatory at Green-
wich 76° 55' 30", and is located at
the junction of the rivers Potomac
WASHINGTON CITY,
497
and Eastern branch, extending nearly jritory, probably the richest, and com
4 ms. up each, and including a tract
of territory, exceeded in point of con-
venience, salubrity and beauty by
none in America. For although the
land in general appears level, yet by
gentle and gradual swellings, a varie-
ty of elegant prospects are produced,
and sufficient descent formed for con-
manding the most extensive internal
resources of any in America, to re*
commend it as an eligible place for
ike permanent seat of the General
Government; and it has grown up
with an extraordinary degree of ra-
pidity. But its growth is rather to
be attributed to the vast amount ex«
veying off the water occasioned by pended in it by the Federal Govern-
rain. Within the limits of the city ment, and the numerous strangers
are a great number of excellent 'brought thither, than to its commer*
springs,— water of the best quality cial advantages, great as they are.=
may readily be had, and the never ! The cuy of Baltimore being so near
failing streams that run through that jit, and having such immense advan-
territory, are also collected for the use tages in the greater capital enterprise
of the city. The waters of Reedy and skill of her merchants, in conti«
branch and of Tiber creek, may be guity to the ocean, and greater faciii-
conveyed to the President's house
The source of Tiber creek is elevated
236 ft. above the level of its tide wa-
ter. The perpendicular height of the
ty of approach, in her greater age
and established commercial character
and intercourse, — and lastly in being
a city of a state with a much more ex-
ground on which the Capitol stands t tended territory, all the advantages of
is 78 ft. above the level of the tide in
Tiber creek, — the waters of Tiber
creek may therefore be conveyed to
which that state naturally desires to
pour into her lap, — and that identical
territory too, being the very source
the Capitol, and after watering that from which the materials of com-
part of the city may be destined to jmerce would have to be drawn by
other useful purposes. The Eastern | Washington,— the latter can never
branch is one of the safest and most 'hope to rival the former in her corn-
commodious harbors in America, and jmercial prosperity.
is sufficiently deep for the largest I The city of Washington has also to
Ships, for about 4 ms. above its mouth, 'compete with the town of George-
while the channel lies close along the jtown, Alexandria and Fredericks-
bank adjoining the city, and affords a burg, much of the commerce of which
large and convenient harbor. The! would flow to her if those towns did
Potomac although only navigable for [not exist.
small craft for a considerable distance I The fact, however, that Washing*
from its banks, next to the city, (ex- ton is not likely ever to be an over*
cepting about half a mile above the grown commercial city, is not at all
junction of the river,) will, neverthe- to be regretted by the statesman. The
less afford a capacious summer har= 'legislation of the Union would not be
bor, as an immense number of Ships 'at all benefitted by the presence of a
may ride in the great channel oppo^
site and below the city. The situa-
tion of this metropolis, is upon the
great line of communication, about
noisy, disorderly mob.-— which is al-
most sure to exist in a *
cial city.
Tile plan of this city appears to
large commer-
equi-distant from the northern and contain some important improvements
southern extremities of the Union, upon that of the best planned cities in
and nearly so from the Atlantic and jthe world, combining m a remarks*
Pittsburg; upon the best navigation, loie degree, convenience, regularity,
and in the midst of a commercial ter 'elegance of prospect, and a free circu-
63
498
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA,
lation of air. The position for the'
different public edifices, and for the
several squares, and areas of differ-
ent shapes, as they are laid down,
were first .fixed on the most advanta-
geous ground commanding the most
extensive prospect, and from their sit-
uation susceptible of such improve-
ment as either use or ornament might
at any time require. The soil is
generally sterile, mixed with pebbles
and sand, the length of the city from
S. E. to N. W. is 4£ ms. ;
4-i
width 2|, containing a fraction less
than 8^ sq. ms. The city was laid
out under the supervision, of Gene-
ral Washington (then President
of the United States) in 1791. The
principal streets, are called avenues,
and named after the different states of
the Union. These diverge from the
Capital and President's house, and a
direct line of communication between
these two edifices is formed by Penn-
sylvania avenue, the principal and
finest street of the city. The avenues
are crossed by streets running N.
and S. alphabetically arranged, and
others running E. and W. numerical-
ly arranged. Many of these are
shaded, and all of them very broad,-"-
the former being from £20 to 160 feet
in width, and the latter from 70 to
110.
The City is divided into six wards»
the following table gives a correct
statement of the census, assessments*
and valuations of each, up to Decem-
ber 31, 1830. Agreeably to the last
census.
WARDS. CENSUS. BUILDINGS. LOTS.
First
Second
Third
Fourth
Fifth
Sixth
3,678
4,049
5,751
1,861
1,357
2,131
657,833 760,494
724,705 752,538
1,105,855 1,132,336
253,100 290,603
174,410 334,986
209,139* 217,075-
ERSONAL.
TOTAL.
TAx-5(>cfs;
ON $100.
153,150
1,571,477
8,800 27
139,890
1,617,133
9,055 94
200,420
2,438,611
13,656 22
45,120
588,823
3,297 40
24,475
533,871
2,989 67
37,225
463,435
2,59S 2$
Total, 18,82-7 3,125,038 3,488,032 600,280 7,213,350 40,394 76
The Number of buildings erected
in the City in 1830 was, 178,-86 of
which were of brick and 92 of wood.
The total number of buildings in 1831
was, 3,560, — of these there were pub-
lic ' 65— dwellings, 3,2-33, and 262
-shops and warehouses.
In the stores, and particularly on
the Pennsylvania avenue, there is a
great variety, well supplied, contain-
ing every description of dry goods,
groceries, hardware, china, glass,
drugs, millinery, confectionery, fruit,
clothing, hats, shoes, boots, books, sta-
tionery, leather, chairs, plate, jewel-
lery, in short, every article of neces-
sity or ornament.
The Mechanic Arts. — The print-
ing business, by the agency of steam
and hand labor, alone employs during
the winter season about 300 hands,
There are four daily papers exten-
sively circulated ; also 4 weekly, cir-
culated extensively. Book-binding r
engraving, cabinet making, tobacco-
manufacturing, hatting, saddlery, shoe
and boot making, tailoring, coach-
making, blacksmith's work, gun-
smiths, &c. are extensively carried
on and employ a number of work-
men. Not less than 8 or 9 millions
of bricks are made annually, employ-
ing nearly 200 hands in the warm
weather. Bricklayers, carpenters^
painters, glaziers, and in short, every
mechanic connected with the erection
of buildings, are extensively engaged
in the summer season.
The population of Washington has
increased rapidly, and from its being
WASHINGTON CITY.
499
the seat of the government of the
county, and its salubrious and healthy
loeation, it must continue to augment
in number.
Ca 1800 its population was 3,210;
in 1803, 4,352; in 1807, 5,652; in
1810, 8,208; in 1817, 11,299; in
1820, 13,246; and in 1830, 18,827,
consisting of
Males,
Females,
Total,
White Persons.
6,581
6,798
Free Colored.
1,342
1,787
Slaves.
1,010
1,309
Total
8
13,379
3,129
2,319
,933
9,894
18,827
The public buildings in Wash-
ington are numerous and many of
them elegant. Among these the first
%n rank is the Capitol, — it stands on
a most beautiful eminence, command-
ing a complete view of every part of
the City, and a considerable part of
the country around, with the Poto
mac, as far as Alexandria. — It is of
the Corinthian order, and the most
magnificent edifice in the U. States.
It is situated near the western extremi-
ty of the Capitol square; it is built of
free stone, and composed of a central
edifice and two wings, and is of the
following dimensions, viz :
Length <ff front, -
Depth of wings, ....
Eastern projection, -
Western do.
Height of wings to top of balustrade,
Central Dome, -
Length of Representatives' Hall,
Height of do. do.
Length of Senate Chamber,
Height of do. do. -
Height of Rotunda,
Diameter of do. -
Feet.
Inches
350
5
121
6
65
85
70
120
96
60
74
42
96
96
The Representatives' Hall is
in the second story of the south wings
and is semicircular in form. The
dome and galleries of the Hall, are
supported by pillars of variegated
marble from the banks of the Poto-
mac. This apartment is truly mag-
mficent. In front of the Speaker's
chair, and over the entrance into the
Chamber, stands an allegorical figure,
— formed of Italian marble, repre-
senting History in the act of re-
cording the proceedings of the nation.
She stands on a winged car, which
seems to roll over a section of the
terrestrial globe, exhibiting in basso
relievo the signs of the zodiac. The
wheel of the car is intended as the
face of a clock, which is to be placed
behind, and the front contains in bas-
so relievo a figure of Fame, and a
profile bust of Washington. Above
the Speaker's chair, is a colossal fi-
gure of Liberty, in plaster, pointing
to the Hall below, and supported on
the right by an American Eagle—
and on the left by the Roman fasces,
which are partially enveloped in the
folds of a serpent. Immediately un-
der this figure, on the frize is carved
in alto relievo another Eagle in the
attitude of flying.
The Senate Chamber in the
I north wing is of the same semi-cir-
5
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA,
cular form, a screen of Ionic columns,
with capitals after those of the tem-
ple of Minerva Polias, supports a gal-
lery to the east, and forms a lobby be-
low,— and a new gallery of iron pil-
lars and railings, of a light and ele-
gant structure, projects from the curv-
ed walls, — the dome ceiling is enrich-
ed with square caissons of stucco.
The intervals between the marble pi-
lasters in the wall are covered with
straw-colored drapery. Columns of
Potomac marble, support the eastern
gallery.
The Rotunda occupies the cen-
tre. This is the principal entrance
from the east Portico and west Stair,
and leads to the legislative halls and
library, which contains 16,000 vo-
lumes. This room is dividedin its
circuit into pannels, by lofty Grecian
pilasters, which support a bold en-
tablature, ornamented with a wreath
of olive.— A hemispherical dome ris-
es above, filled with large plain cais-
sons, like those of the Pantheon at
Rome. The pannels of the circular
walls are appropriated to paintings
and basso relievos of historical sub-
square feet, exclusive of its enclosure
for fuel ; and an elegant area and gla-
cis on the west front.
The square contains 22£ acres, em-
bracing a circumference of three-
fourths of a mile, and 185 feet, en*-
closed by a substantial iron railing
with very neat gate-ways. Gravel
walks, and beautiful borders of shrub-
bery and flowers, forming a delight-
ful promenade for the use of the citi-
zens. Opposite to the west front is
the botanic garden ground, a situa-
tion well adapted for the purpose,
which it is supposed will be placed
under the care of the Columbian In-
stitute. "At the west front of the
Capitol is placed the beautiful marble
monument (which lately stood in the
navy yard) erected by the American
officers, to the memory of their breth-
ren who fell before Tripoli in the
year i804. It is a small doric co^
lumn, with emblematical embellish-
ments, and crowned with an eagle in
the act of flying Its base is sculp-
tured in basso relievos, representing
Tripoli, — its fortress,— the Mediter-
ranean and our fleet in the -fo re-
jects. This noble edifice was nctj ground and on each angle stands an
quite completed when the British ar- appropriate marble figure. The one
my under Gen. Ross, (who was af- represents Columbia directing the at«
terwards slain in battle near Balti
more) in August, 1814, made a sud-
den incursion, after defeating the
American troops at Bladensburg,
gained possession of the City, setting
fire to the Capitol President's house,
public offices, &c. reducing the whole
to ashes, together with the valuable
library of Congress. The founda-
tion of the north wing was laid in the
presence of Gen. Washington on the
18th of Sept 1923, and finished in
1800,— -cost $480,262 57.— South
wing commenced in 1803, and finish-
ed in 1808,— -cost $308,808 41,— and
the centre, on the 24th of May, 1818,
being the anniversary of its destruc-
tion by the British, and finished in
1827— cost $957,647 35. Thebuild-
ing covers an acre and a half, or 1820
tention of her children to History,
who is recording the daring and in-
trepid action of the American heroes,
—the third represents Fame with a
wreath of laurel in one hand and a
pen in the other: and the fourth, Mer-
cury, or the God of commerce, with
his cornucopia and caduceus.
The President's House is two
stories high with a lofty basement, and
is 180 feet long and 85 wide. To
each end there is attached the neces-
sary offices, stables, coal and ice hous-
es, with a colonnade front rising to a
level with the main floor of the house;
the roofs being flat these offices afford
a terrace suitable for a promenade. It
is built of white free stone. — The
building is 170 feet in front and 86
deQTp, and is crowned with a balus-
WASHINGTON CITY.
501
trade; the roof is covered with cop-
per, and the entrance from the north
is through a lofty portico, which is
projected from the front, so as to leave
room for a carriage to pass under be-
tween the platform and outer columns.
The house stands on an elevation
of 44 feet above the usual high water
of the river Potomac, in the centre of
a large reservation of ground of 20
acres. The front entrance faces north,
upon an open square, and the garden
front to the south, possessing a de-
lightful water prospect, together with
a commanding view of the Capitol,
and the most important parts of the
City. The Virginia and Maryland