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Mary Smith Lockwood

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Herausgeber: Jazzybee Verlag
Kategorie: Geisteswissenschaft
Sprache: Englisch

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Mary Smith Lockwood is one of the original three who organized the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Her fantastic book about the nation's capital is full of reminiscences of the great men of the nation, their homes and political life. In addition with the countless untold stories of powerful influences that have gone into the making of the nation, this work is going to be your favourite reading about the history of Washington, D.C. -- This edition includes both, originally separately published volumes one and two.

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Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2019

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Leseprobe

Yesterdays in Washington

MARY SMITH LOCKWOOD

Yesterdays in Washington, M. Smith Lockwood

Jazzybee Verlag Jürgen Beck

86450 Altenmünster, Loschberg 9

Deutschland

ISBN: 9783849652449

www.jazzybee-verlag.de

[email protected]

DEDICATION

To the beloved memory of my daughter Lilian, whose encouragement sustained me through the years we walked side by side, and who was the inspiration of my work, these volumes are now lovingly inscribed.

VOLUME 1

CHAPTER I. THE DAWN OF THIS REPUBLIC.

The choice of the fourth of March as the day for the inauguration of the President of the United States dates back to 1788. After the ratification of the Constitution by the several States of the old Confederation, Congress fixed upon the first Wednesday in January, 1789, for the choice of electors, the first Wednesday in February for the voting by the electors, and the first Wednesday in March for the inauguration of the President. The latter day fell on the 4th in that year, and the 12th amendment to the Constitution settled upon this as the legal date.

George Washington should have been inaugurated March 4,1789, but so backward were some of the States in getting their representatives on the ground that it was April 6 before a quorum of both Houses arrived.

When the votes for President and Vice-President were counted, it was found that Washington had received the largest number of votes and John Adams the next largest. The former therefore stood in the position for President, the latter in that of Vice-President. It was in this way originally that the two chief officers of the United States were chosen. Washington received the news that he had been chosen President on April 14.

Charles Thompson, Esq., Secretary of Congress, was appointed to carry to General Washington the official information of his election to the office of President of the United States of America. The official announcement was signed by John Langdon, President, pro tempore of the Senate of the United States. The following is Washington's letter of acceptance: "To the Hon. John Langdon, President pro tempore of the Senate of the United States: "Sir: I have the honor to receive your official communication by the hand of Mr. Secretary Thompson about 1 o'clock this day. Having concluded to obey the important and flattering call of my country, and having been impressed with an idea of the expediency of my being with Congress at as early a period as possible, I propose to commence my journey on Thursday morning, which will be the day after tomorrow.

"I have the honor to be, with sentiments of esteem, sir, your most obedient servant, "Geo. Washington."

Including conventions and nominations and letters of acceptance, that keep the public on the qui vive for months, the old method seems very much simplified.

While it is not in the order of things for the President to lay down his policy in a long letter of acceptance, what he did say took less than a hundred words, yet it is not to be supposed that he had not carefully weighed the high responsibility devolving upon him of steering the new ship of state, and that his plans were well thought out.

Washington left the quiet and peace of his home two days after. In his diary he has recorded: "About 10 o'clock I bade adieu to Mount Vernon, to private life and to domestic felicity, and with a mind oppressed with more anxious and painful sensations than I have words to express set out for New York with the best disposition to render service to my country in obedience to its call, but with less hope of answering its expectations."

His journey to New York was one continued ovation.

The roads were lined with people, who had come miles to see him as he passed. His advance was one continued triumph. Deputations from cities as he approached were sent out to meet him. There was hardly any cessation from the ringing of bells and discharge of cannon. He bade his mother good-bye at Fredericksburg, and as the word goes, it is said that he borrowed $3,000 to defray the expenses of his trip northward.

Washington left Mount Vernon in a carriage, accompanied by Mr. Thompson and Colonel Humphries.

They were soon met by a deputation of friends from Alexandria. When the party arrived in that city they proceeded to Wise's Tavern, where great preparations had been made and a wonderful dinner prepared in his honor.

The Mayor, in addressing the President-elect, said in closing: "Go and make a grateful people happy."

Washington was greatly overcome by these attestations of friendship and confidence, and with difficulty could he command his emotions to make reply.

When he left for Georgetown the next morning he had in the long procession that followed, men and boys, women and children, which some of the chroniclers of the day said "was greater than any triumph Rome ever beheld."

From Georgetown, where the Alexandrians handed him over, many of the residents of Georgetown escorted him to Baltimore.

In Baltimore he was met by a cavalcade of citizens and admirers and was conducted to Grant's Tavern, where a supper had been provided by prominent citizens. The General retired at 10 o'clock, and before the sun rose he was up, and breakfasted at 5.30, and soon after, amid the cheers of the people and the boom of artillery, Washington was on his way to Wilmington.

It seems it was the intention of the escort to go with him all the way to Wilmington, but when the escort had been on the road until seven miles were between them and Baltimore, the General insisted that they should return, to which they reluctantly complied.

When they approached Wilmington another large delegation was awaiting his arrival, and after a most hospitable entertainment he was conducted by many of Delaware's noblemen to the Pennsylvania line.

Philadelphia had been making preparations on a magnificent scale to receive the man honored above all men. He arrived in Chester at an early hour in the morning, where he had breakfast. He ordered his carriage to the rear, and when the journey was again taken up General Washington was mounted on a fine white charger.

General Arthur St. Clair was at the head of the line of noted men who came out of Philadelphia to do honor to their hero who had led them in the great military achievements that had wrought for them a free country and who was about entering as leader of the civic economics of a country destined to stand second to none among the Nations of the earth.

No crowd had ever assembled equal to the one that greeted Washington. Triumphal arches vaulted the streets, houses were decorated with flags and bright colors, emblems, mottoes, welcomes everywhere.

Church bells were rung, the people cheered—everybody but Washington was wild with enthusiasm. Everything that could be was crowded into one day and night.

Another big banquet was served at the old City Tavern, at Second and Chestnut streets. It seems a band was engaged to play throughout the ceremonies of the banquet, and it must have been an innovation in those days, and was much commented upon by the newspapers. He left the city the next morning. The City Troop was to accompany him to Trenton, but Washington would not allow it, for there was a heavy rain storm.

His reception at Trenton was marked by many striking incidents. It would not take much stretch of the imagination to know the thoughts uppermost in Washington's mind. The blackest days and the brightest of Washington's life at the head of the army were in this vicinity. Truly the conquering hero was receiving his reward. An ode for the occasion had been written and was sung by a company of ladies stationed at the Trenton end of the bridge. Six young ladies were in front with baskets of flowers, with which they strewed the pathway. A different sound was that of the Hessian yells and a different reception from that which greeted Washington in that early Christmas morning in 1776! Dinner was served at Samuel Henry's City Tavern, and Washington spent the night with his friend, the Rev. Dr. John Witherspoon.

The splendor of his reception became even great as he drew near New York. On Wednesday the party left for Elizabethport. There a committee of Congress with various civil officers were in waiting to receive him. He embarked on board a handsome barge manned by 13 pilots, masters of vessels. Other decorated vessels accompanied the party. Private boats were dressed with flags, which swelled the procession to large proportions by the time it swept up the Bay of New York. As the flotilla neared Bedloe's Island a large sloop ran alongside and a company of ladies and gentlemen sang an ode to Washington to the tune of "God Save the King." Nothing touched Washington on his journey more than this courteous display of regard.

Amid the shouts of thousands of people on the shore, the hurrying and scurrying of ships and barges, the firing of salutes, Washington stepped ashore and was received by Governor Clinton and his staff and by many of Washington's old officers, all in full uniform.

Washington reached New York April 23. The Inauguration services did not take place until a week later. On the day of his arrival a procession was formed with Colonel Morgan Lewis, chief marshal. It was an imposing line of march. Washington, in blue coat, buff waistcoat and buff breeches, drew all eyes unto him in the imposing line of march, which ended at the Franklin House, where headquarters had been established.

The morning of April 30, 1789, dawned propitiously upon an anxious community. At an early hour the people from the surrounding country came pouring into New York. Everybody was anxious to witness the official ceremonies of the first Presidential Inauguration of the new Republic, the crowning act of an established Government, after 13 years of political revolution. The ceremonies of the day were opened by a discharge of artillery at Fort George. At 9 o'clock the church bells rang out their joyous peals, and religious services were held in all the churches. At noon the city troops marched to the Franklin House and paraded before the door. Soon afterward the committee of Congress and heads of Departments arrived in carriages. A procession was formed and preceded by troops moved forward to Federal Hall, standing on the site of the present Custom House.

The procession was again commanded by Colonel Morgan Lewis, with Major Van Horn and Major Morton as aids. Washington rode in a state coach, and the chief officials in their own carriages. The windows along the whole line of the route were crowded with spectators. The Federal Building was densely packed before 10 o'clock.

There had been much discussion in the Senate and House in consideration of the time, place and manner in which and by whom the oath prescribed by the Constitution should be administered to the President of the United States. A committee was appointed to make final arrangements.

The committee of both Houses of Congress, composed of the Hon. Mr. Langdon, the Hon. Mr. Carroll, the Hon. Mr. Johnson, of the Senate, and Mr. Boudinot, Mr. Bland, Mr. Tucker, Mr. Bensen and Mr. Laurence, of the House. This committee agreed to the following order: That Gen. Webb, Col. Smith, Lieut.-Col. Fish, Maj. Franks, Maj. L'Enfant, Maj. Bleeker and Mr. John R. Livingston be requested to serve as assistants on the occasion. It has been told and often written that the Senate was in great trepidation as to the proper mode of conduct when Washington appeared. Should the Senate stand or sit? As there was no precedent of parliamentary usage, John Adams was left without instructions as to the President's reception.

The journals of the Senate tell a different story. In following the order of the ceremonials, from the Joint Committee, a little further, we read "That a chair be placed in the Senate Chamber for the Vice-President, to the right of the President's chair, and that the Senators take their seats on the side of the Chamber on which the Vice-President's chair shall be placed. That a chair be placed in the Senate chamber for the Speaker of the House of Representatives to the left of the President's chair, and that the Representatives take their seats on that side of the chamber on which the Speaker's chair shall be placed.

"That the members of both Houses assemble in their respective Chambers precisely at 12 o'clock, and that the Representatives, preceded by their Speaker and attended by their clerks and other officers proceed to the Senate Chamber, there to be received by the Senators RISING.

"That the Committee attend the President from his residence to the Senate Chamber, and that he be there received by the Vice-President, the Senators and Representatives RISING, and by the Vice-President conducted to his chair.

"That after the President shall be seated in his chair, and the Vice-President shall announce to the President that the members of both Houses will attend him to be present at his taking of the oath of office required by the Constitution.

"To the end that the oath of office may be administered to the President in the most public manner, and that the greatest number of the people of the United States, and without distinction, may be witnesses to the solemnity, that therefore the oath be administered in the outer gallery adjoining the Senate Chamber."

Then follows instructions in detail what doors shall be used by the President, Senate, House, etc.

It was also ordered by the Committee that the oath should be administered by Robert R. Livingston, Chancellor of the State of New York.

It will be remembered that there was no Chief Justice of a Supreme Court of the United States until President Washington appointed John Jay, with the consent of the Senate, the following 26th of September, 1789.

At the appointed hour Washington appeared on the balcony, accompanied by the members of the Senate and House and other public officers, John Adams, Governor Clinton and Chancellor Livingstone standing near him. The immense crowd made the welkin resound with huzzas. Washington, dressed in a suit of dark-brown cloth, of American manufacture, with a steel-hilted dress sword, white silk stockings and silver shoe buckles, his hair dressed and powdered in the fashion of the day, advanced to the front of the balcony, laid his hand on his heart, bowed several times, and then sat down.

As Chancellor Livingstone stepped forward Washington arose and paid close attention to the reading of the oath. The Bible was held up on its crimson cushion by the Secretary of the Senate. The terms of the oath were read with great dignity, slowly and distinctly. These were: "I do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will, to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."

Washington kept his hand upon the Bible while the words were being uttered and at the conclusion of the oath he solemnly responded: "I swear, so help me God."

The Secretary offered to raise the Bible to his lips, but he bowed reverently and kissed it.

The Chancellor now stepped forward and exclaimed: "Long live George Washington, President of the United States!"

A flag was run up on the Hall; thirteen guns on the Battery were discharged, the bells again rang out joyously, mingled with the adulations of the people.

What did such a proceeding mean to the maps of the world? President over a new Republic of thirteen States, who saw the future; perhaps Washington had a vision of the glories that awaited the Republic of the New World.

The Inaugural Address was not given from the balcony. After the oath was taken the President returned to the Senate Chamber. When he entered all arose, and, still standing, listened to the address.

From the Senate Chamber the President and a large crowd of Senators and members proceeded to St. Paul's Church, where the Chaplain of the Senate conducted the services.

At night fireworks were displayed, which the President witnessed from Chancellor Livingstone's house, on the lower part of Broadway.

The President walked to his own residence; the crowd was so dense that driving was impossible.

So ended the first inaugural of the first President of the United States, an event in the constitutional period that put its mark upon each quadrennial era.

It was upon the shores of the Old World that the love of liberty had its birth, and the crowning and coronations of Kings lost its mystic power, for the people began to look for a Government that would live for the benefit of the governed.

Upon the bleak shores of a new world they had installed their Chief Magistrate, who would be loyal to them in carrying out the laws they had enacted.

In the manner we have described, George Washington was inaugurated President in the dawn of this Republic.

CHAPTER II. THE SOCIAL SIDE THE FIRST PRESIDENT'S LIFE.

Parties are a part of the healthy paraphernalia of all Governments. At the very beginning there were Republicans (now Democrats) and Federalists. The old Republicans, or Democrats, stood for a Government republican in form and democratic in spirit, with right of local self-government and State rights ever uppermost. The Federalists desired a Government republican in form, with checks upon the impulses and passions of the people; liberty rigidly regulated by law, and that law made firm by central authority, the authority of the National Government to be final in appeals.

When Washington was elected there existed no party hostility. His popularity won the support of all.

When the time came for the selection of his Cabinet he drew his men from both parties, which was considered the right mode of action. "To the victor belongs the spoils" had not become the National shibboleth. As new conditions and new issues came up and new measures had to be advanced by the Government, the antifederalists organized, and a new party sprang into existence in opposition to the party in power.

The new nation was fairly started on its way; the Constitution was working satisfactorily; the laws which Congress had passed were respected, the Federalists carrying their measures by small majorities.

There was a call on the States for revenue, which was honored. Washington did not fail in his messages to show the growing prosperity of the country, the progress of public credit and the increase of national respectability and credit and the respect it was beginning to excite abroad. There were honest differences of opinion. The great leaders of both parties had their following. Washington, Adams and Hamilton were the leaders of the Federal party, and the strong allies of the Constitution.

Several of the friends of the Constitution who were instrumental in its preparation joined with those who were opposed to the Administration. While the prosperous condition of affairs under the Constitution modified the views of the anti-Federalists somewhat, yet men like Madison, of Virginia, became leaders of the anti-Federalists. Thomas Jefferson, who had been Minister to France, to succeed Dr. Franklin, since March, 1785, upon his return in November, 1789, received his appointment as Secretary of State and became the first Secretary under the Constitution. It was several years after this that Jefferson arrayed himself with those opposed to centralized power in the nation.

The Secretary of State was considered the chief office in the gift of the President. Alexander Hamilton, of New York, who was Washington's aide-de-camp and confidential military secretary, and who remained with the army until the British surrender at Yorktown, was made Secretary of the Treasury. Henry Knox, of Massachusetts, who was active in all the principal battles of the Revolution, and took possession of New York when the British evacuated in 1783, was appointed Secretary of War. Edmund Randolph, of Virginia, who had been a member of the Constitutional Convention, was appointed Attorney-General.

There was no Secretary of the Navy until John Adams' term, eight years later; John Jay, of New York, was made the first Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.

Probably no abler Cabinet was ever formed than that Washington chose for his advisors.

The first session of Congress, held in New York, lasted nearly six months. It adjourned September 29, 1789, to convene the first Monday in January. The second session of Congress was largely occupied in the discussion of the able and far-reaching reports of Alexander Hamilton. It is conceded today that the adoption of these reports worked toward the great advancement of the Government's interests in building up the credit of the nation, and in starting and promoting its industries.

Alexander Hamilton was the author of the protective system. He also recommended the assumption of the State war debts by the National Government. As will be remembered, his agreement with Jefferson was that if this could be carried in Congress he would pledge votes enough to carry the United States Capital to the Potomac. Both fulfilled their pledges, and a rupture in the new Federation at that day was avoided. Hamilton also provided for a system of revenue from the collection of duties on imports and internal excise. The wisdom of his advocacy of a protective tariff for revenue and the encouragement of manufacturers, that duties be laid on goods and merchandise imported, is plainly manifest by the great object lesson this country presents today through its industries and manufactures that lead the world.

The third Congress of the United States sat in Independence Hall, at Sixth and Chestnut streets, Philadelphia. Here in the Hall where the patriots of '76 had sat when on that glorious Fourth of July old Independence bell had rung its story to the world, Congress met to inaugurate on March 4,1793, for the second time, the man who had carried his country through the trying days of its infancy.

When by the trade of Hamilton and Jefferson the Capital was carried to the Potomac, it was agreed that Philadelphia should have the Capital for ten years, before it should be moved to the Potomac.

An immense concourse of people had assembled at Sixth and Chestnut streets to witness the proceedings of an inaugural. It is told that an air of punctiliousness yet stately courtliness pervaded the whole proceedings. Washington was carried to the Hall in a splendid coach drawn by six white horses. Two gentlemen preceded the President, carrying white wands, and opened the way for the coach to the entrance of the hall of the Senate. As in the first inaugural, the members of the Senate and House rose and remained standing while he passed through the hall to his chair. Washington was dressed in a full suit of rich black velvet, short breeches, with diamond knee buckles. His stockings were black, low shoes, surmounted with large, square silver buckles. He carried a plain hat decorated with the American cockade. His hair was powdered and gathered into a plain silk bag, on which was fastened a bow of black ribbon. He wore a light dress sword with shagreen scabbard and a richly-decorated hilt.

As many of the public were admitted as the hall would accommodate. The heads of Departments and the Foreign Ministers were there, and the late Speaker of the House. Thomas Jefferson was a marked figure, in blue coat, singlebreasted, with large bright buttons, his vest and small clothes of crimson.

Vice-President John Adams arose and addressed the President of the United States as follows: "Sir, one of the Judges of the Supreme Court of the United States is now present and ready to administer to you the oath required by the Constitution to be taken by the President of the United States."

Judge Cushing then arose and administered the oath of office, after which Washington read his address.

After he had finished he laid his address on the Vice-President's table, sat down for a few minutes, then arose and walked out of the hall, those in the Chamber standing while he withdrew. Washington was President for another four years.

The second session of Congress sat from November, 1792, to March, 1793. Many vital questions of foreign and domestic relations of the country came up for adjustment. Some serious omissions in the Constitution had been revealed, among the most serious the insertion of a distinct bill of rights, which should recognize "The equality of all men, and their rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness." The first Congress framed a bill containing twelve articles, ten of which were afterwards ratified as amendments to the Constitution.

State sovereignty was the prevailing idea among the Anti-Federalists, and they charged the Federalists with monarchial tendencies. We see something of the photographs of old political situations in today's reproductions.

When the bill of rights had become a part of the Constitution, Jefferson foregoing further opposition to the instrument, the party was baptized with a new name, Jefferson suggesting Republican to Anti-Federalists. So it came that by 1793 party lines were strictly drawn. Hamilton and Jefferson were diametrically opposed on many questions of government.

These views soon filtered through Congress to the people. Undoubtedly personal ambition was the stimulant to much action, for Washington had expressed his desire to let go the helm and let some other guide the ship of state.

An envoy (Genet) from the French Government arrived very early after the second inauguration, and used every art in diplomacy to gain the interest of this Government in co-operation with the French Republic to involve themselves with war against Great Britain.

Jefferson and his party warmly advocated the cause of the French and insisted that it was only repaying the debt of obligation we owed France. The Federalists, under Washington and Hamilton, favored non-intervention, and were intense in their determination that we should remain on friendly terms with Great Britain.

It was in these trying days that Washington issued his celebrated proclamation of neutrality, which has since governed the action of this country.

The French discussion kept up in 1794. We find a resolution passed the House to cut off intercourse with Great Britain, and would have carried in the Senate but by the vote of the Vice-President, John Adams. Jefferson retired from the Cabinet in December, 1793, but James Madison was leader of the opposition in the House. They did not approve of the President's non-intervention policy, and actually fought it in many ways. The policy of Great Britain did not help matters. She had not withdrawn her troops on Lake Erie, as the treaty stipulated. American vessels were seized and American citizens impressed. To avoid war Washington sent John Jay to England as envoy. He succeeded in making a treaty, which was ratified in June, 1795, with much opposition, and party feeling ran higher than ever. The Federalists extolled Washington for the outcome. The British surrendered possession of all American forts, so the country was once more at peace.

Randolph was made Secretary of State after Jefferson resigned, but his sympathies were wholly with the French faction. He was forced to leave the office, and Timothy Pickering, of Pennsylvania, who was transferred from the War Office, took his place. Hamilton retired in January, 1795, and Gen. Knox had retired some time before.

In March, 1796, the House created an unbounded furore by asking, by resolution, from the President a copy of the instructions to John Jay, who made the treaty with Great Britain. We can imagine how high feeling ran, when town meetings were called and a few dared to speak in favor of the concession made. Hamilton was stoned, Jay was burned in effigy, the British Minister was insulted in Philadelphia, the Democrats declaring that it was base ingratitude to France. The President was treated to little respect. Hamilton's defense of the treaty stands out like a bulwark; he wrote letters of great power, which certainly had marked effect, and signs of reaction and a return to common sense made themselves manifest after a while. The House even righted itself and passed legislation to carry out the treaty, which was signed by the President in August, 1795.

It is not to be wondered at that Washington looked with longing to the time when he could be released from the care and responsibilities he had carried so long. In the light of today we see the wisdom of his judgment; but our wonder is that he held his position with such odds against him. His Farewell Address, dated September 17,1796, was a priceless gift to his country, and without doubt a century of adherence to its advice in the main has been the source of our great prosperity.

Thus far we have glanced only at the political conditions of the first administration. The young Republic demanded from the beginning a due regard for forms and ceremonies; certain laws of etiquette must be observed which would command the respect of Foreign courts, and Washington was fully qualified to carry out in detail all these demands. The home of the first President of the Republic was furnished not only with an eye to comfort, but elegance. In every detail the internal economy was arranged in a manner as formal as that of the courts of London or Paris. The receptions or levees were but a reproduction of the customs and ceremonies of foreign courts. Washington was most punctilious in his demands, and those by whom he was surrounded were compelled to obey orders to the most minute detail. The levees held at the Republican Court, located at No. 3 Franklin Square, New York, were always honored by the presence of the fashionable and cultured of the country. It was with the best of credentials only that people could get access, and then to not be excluded they must conform to the required dress.

Washington's household was made up of Madam Washington and the two adopted grand-children of Mrs. Custis. It was a source of regret to Washington that he had no children of his own. It would be merely a matter of conjecture how much it might have detracted from his greatness if he had left a lineal descendant to his fame. He is at least saved from having it clouded by a degenerate. Few great men have been honored in their sons, and many have been sorely dishonored.

It is a matter of record that the young life brought into the household through the children of Park Curtis was a source of great joy to President Washington.

In the second year of Washington's administration the Capital of the Government was moved to Philadelphia.

The cornerstone of the White House was laid October 13, 1792, one month before the second session convened in Philadelphia, and nearly a year before the cornerstone of the Capitol was laid, which was September 18,1793. Philadelphians who had been anxious for the Capital in their own city still hoped by some intervening Providence to hold it, and therefore the Legislature of Pennsylvania voted a sum of money for a home for the President hoping this might have some influence in keeping the Capital from removal to a wilderness. The building that has since been known as the University of Pennsylvania, was the one provided for the President. When General Washington saw its dimensions, and even before it was furnished, he gave the authorities to understand that he could not occupy it, and should not go to the expense of furnishing so large and expensive an establishment. In those early days the Government did not furnish the President's house. President Washington rented a house on Market street, between Fifth and Sixth, on the South Side, owned by his friend, Robert Morris. It was furnished in a manner becoming the home of the President of the New Republic. His dictations to Mr. Lear, his private secretary, ordering every detail of removal of household goods from New York, and all personal effects, only shows the characteristics of the man, which he successfully carried into the affairs of state.

On November 28, Saturday afternoon, the President and "Lady" Washington arrived from Mount Vernon and took possession of their new home. The greater part of Congress had already arrived and found homes, and everybody was in expectancy of a brilliant season.

It was ordered that "Lady" Washington should hold her levees on Friday evening of every week. The guests of those days, by rules of the President's house, assembled early and retired at 10 o'clock, about the hour in these days when guests leave home. In those days the lady of the house always sat to receive her guests, when arranged in a circle around her the President passed among them, speaking a word with each one, and yet all this was performed with a punctiliousness and formality that was quite formidable. In those days there were no reporters to give an account in the morning papers of the charmingly dressed so-and-so, and the superb appearance of this or that lady; hence the records of the newspapers give no hints by which we can gather the high lights in the adornment of such gatherings. We do know the President always appeared in full dress and powdered hair.

Lady Washington, reared as she had been, aristocratic and dignified, always adorned the occasion, although no details are left of the personal adornment on state occasions. It is recorded casually by writers of diaries that Mrs. Robert Morris was always a welcome social visitor at the house. The Marchioness L'Yuro wrote to a friend in New York that the President's first levee "was brilliant beyond anything that could be imagined. You never could have had such a drawing room, and though there was a great deal of extravagance, there was so much of Philadelphia tact in everything that it must be confessed the most delightful occasion of the kind ever known in this country."

Mrs. Washington always returned visits on the third day, and when she was ready to make a call she would send a footman to announce her coming, and then be accompanied by Mr. Lear. These were in the days before Cabinets had been disrupted by the great questions of social etiquette.

For eight years of prosperity Washington had unflinchingly stood for the right as he saw it. Parties nor partisans had the power to make him waver, and the country had come to see the wisdom of his judgment.

He had left his advice and the fruit of his leadership with his countrymen manifest in the progress made and in his farewell address.

It was with great pleasure that they both looked forward to their return to their beautiful Mount Vernon on the Potomac.

CHAPTER III. EARLY DAYS ON THE POTOMAC.

Captain John Smith sailed up the Potomac in 1608. On the banks of this beautiful river the council fires of the Red Men were built, and the curling smoke from their wigwams welcomed him. Where Washington, the beautiful, stands today was then the great council chamber of the Anacostians and the Powtomacs and forty subordinate tribes. The vaulted heavens was their roof and the deep forests their environment. The grand councils that have convened here since were enacted then in miniature.

They built their bark canoes, caught their fish, shot their game, and trapped their beaver; while the women gathered the wild rice, planted the cornfields, and stripped the yellow husk. The men were the warriors and the hunters of the tribes and the women the conservers of the industries.

They had their festive seasons, as do we. With paint and plumage, beads and tassels, they celebrated their war and green-corn dances. Their chiefs of the feast were the Princes of the tribes, who danced around the fire-pots, giving a stir to the savory succotash, for hours at a time, until the feast was on.

In the march of civilization the Anacostians and the Powtomacs faded away, but left a record of the tribes [Note.—We are indebted to the "Historic Homes of Washington" for much of the material of the following story of the early days of the Capital City.] in the rivers that bear their names, which enfold within their banks the city of Washington.

When John Smith stepped from his boat upon this goodly land the days were not ripe for the new civilization, and he turned his bark down the Potomac. The years came and went; the woodman's ax was not heard; the Red Men and the beasts of the forest held possession another decade ere the new nation was born. The early Scotch and Irish pioneers, who first settled here, were induced to leave the old country by the glowing accounts given by a fur trader named Fleet, who had established trading posts along the Potomac. In fact, we are told that away back in the shadowy past, it was a Celt from over the sea that married an Indian Princess, and set up the first home in an Indian wigwam on Dumbarton Rock, Georgetown Heights. Afterward the wigwam evoluted into a log cabin, and the smoke of the fireside curled through the woody heights. The presiding genius of this home, attended by her pale-faced consort, led the fashion without rival.

To the east stretched her fair possessions, which were bounded only by the scope of vision between her cabin and the rising sun.

The winged ships came over the stormy sea, ladened with rich brocades, heavy satins and laces for the dusky queen. What if her costumes were half barbaric and half civilized? She was "first lady of the land" and first of Georgetown's aristocrats.

Captain Smith and Sir Walter Raleigh were the navigators who visited the New World and made maps and charts of the same—especially of the Chesapeake Bay and the Potomac River. They learned many of the Indian traits and much of Indian life.

Sir Walter carried the habit of smoking tobacco to England. He introduced it at court and it became the fashion among the nobility.

On one occasion Raleigh made a bet with Queen Elizabeth that he could tell the weight of smoke from his pipe of tobacco. The Queen covered his bet. Raleigh emptied the tobacco from his pipe in a pair of scales and weighed it, then returned it to his pipe, lighted it and smoked it. After the tobacco had been reduced to ashes, he weighed the ashes from the tobacco and told the Queen the weight of the smoke.

Queen Elizabeth remarked that she had seen many a man convert gold into smoke, but this was the first time that she had seen smoke converted into gold.

In the fullness of time there came a day for the settling of the colonies. It was a century rich in events.

Queen Elizabeth had died and King James was on the throne. It was a century that produced a Cromwell, a William III, a Louis XIV; a century in which Milton dreamed of Paradise Lost and Shakespeare wrote his songs immortal. This was the century that gave a new nation to the earth.

In swaddling clothes it was carried in the arms of the mother country into another century. And then came the Revolution, and the Continental Congress, without a home, an itinerant body moving from place to place, as convenience or necessity dictated.

During these years Congress held sessions in four different States and eight cities—New York, Philadelphia, Princeton, Baltimore, Lancaster, York, Annapolis and Trenton.

When sitting in Philadelphia a howling mob of disbanded troops appeared at the doors of Congress and demanded their pay. Congress was powerless and the police were unable to quell the mob, consequently Congress adjourned to Princeton, N. J.

From this disturbance the people awakened to the fact that the United States Congress must have a settled place, and where it would not be subject to municipal government. There were years of controversy over the subject. It will be remembered that the proposed site on the Potomac, supported by many Southern members, was repeatedly rejected.

In 1783 a location on the Delaware was thought most desirable, and a commission was appointed in 1784 to select a site upon that river. The matter came up in the First Congress under the Constitution, and the wrangle increased with years. It brought to the front the foremost men of the times.

Jefferson's statement has, through the years, been accepted as the true history of the affair that ended in the Capital being established on the Potomac. The North favored the assumption of State debts and the South opposed it, and as the vote stood, assumption lacked two votes. Hamilton and Jefferson, who foresaw danger to the new Union, knew a compromise must be made, so each made a promise. Hamilton was to help carry the Capital south and Jefferson was to get the required two votes for assumption. Each fulfilled his promise. White and Lee voted for assumption, and thus the bill was passed. By the way, this was a debt of honor. The States had loaned the money to the Government to carry on the war. Twenty million dollars went to the States where it belonged; Philadelphia was to have the seat of Government for ten years, and the Potomac site thereafter. By this bargain the bitternesses were ended and the controversy came to amicable settlement.

Congress, however, fixed absolutely no definite place for the site of the Capital. It gave to the President the power to choose any site on the Potomac River between the mouth of the Anacostia River and the mouth of the Conococheague. In fact, he had his choice anywhere for a hundred miles on the picturesque Potomac.

Even Oliver Wolcott said: "In 1800 we are to go to the Indian place with the long name on the Potomac"— meaning Conococheague, which statement has led some chroniclers of history to make the misstatement that Washington was once called Conocheague.

The people are well satisfied with the rare judgment of General Washington in selecting the spot where the Capital stands.

The crowning point of the Nation's birth was reached when a permanent home for the Nation was provided for and Washington empowered to issue his proclamation, completing the location of the ten miles square by measurements, and directing the Commissioners to have the lines run. The three Commissioners for the survey and laying out the Federal city were Thomas Johnson, Daniel Carroll and Daniel Stuart. After years of preparation work on the several buildings began.

It was November, 1800, when the Archives of the Government were brought from Philadelphia in seven large boxes and four or five smaller ones. Then the official household numbered fifty-four persons, including the President, secretaries and various clerks. The accommodations in the District were so meager that it was with great difficulty they found quarters.

A writer of the day said the White House and one wing of the Capitol were near completion. Being of white sandstone, they were in striking contrast with the scene around them.

Instead of streets and avenues, there was one road with two buildings on each side. This road was called New Jersey avenue. Pennsylvania avenue was a deep morass, covered with alder bushes. The ensuing winter a street was cut through the bushes the width of the intended avenue.

One block of houses, called the "Six Buildings," had been erected between the President's house and Georgetown. There were other blocks of two or three houses scattered about, and now and then an isolated wooden building. The surface of the city generally was covered with scrub oak bushes on the elevated ground, and on the marshy ground were trees or shrubbery.

There appeared to be but two really comfortable habitations within the bounds of the city. One of these belonged to Daniel Carroll and the other to Notley Young.

There were no sidewalks. One was attempted by a covering formed of the chips of the stones which had been hewn for the Capitol. This was of little use; in dry weather it cut the shoes, and in wet weather covered them with white mortar. In short, it was a new settlement.

The cornerstone of the new District was laid by the Commissioners, April 15, 1791. Under the direction of Washington, Peter Charles L'Enfant, a skilled engineer, was engaged to lay out the city. He was a lieutenant in the French Provincial Forces. He was an engineer in the Revolutionary Army. In September, 1791, the Commissioners informed Major L'Enfant that they had decided to call the plot the Territory of Columbia, and the Federal city the City of Washington. It is a well-authenticated fact that Major L'Enfant's plan, notwithstanding opinions to the contrary, was the one adopted in the laying out of the city. It is evident from old letters of Jefferson's, that in spite of many plans he had procured of foreign cities while abroad, that one plan alone was uppermost in his mind, when referred to by Major L'Enfant by request of Washington, and that the old Babylonial one as seen in the parallelograms and angles of Philadelphia. L'Enfant was in despair. He conformed, however, to Jefferson's wishes, and took the gridiron pattern, but threw over it the broad, transverse avenues, intersecting the streets with a variety of circles, open squares and triangular reservations.

L'Enfant was grand, elegant, magnificent in all his conceptions, and when Daniel Carroll began building Duddington Manor in the center of one of his grand avenues (New Jersey), and he saw that it would lead to the breaking up of his great plan, he first admonished him that it could not be, and when he saw that this was not heeded he did not hesitate to send parties in the night to raze the house to the ground, much to the disgust of the Commissioners, especially Daniel Carroll.

Duddington House was rebuilt by the Government— not in the middle of New Jersey avenue; but it cost Major L'Enfant his position. Andrew Ellicott was chosen to finish the city, after the original plan of Major L'Enfant, which will ever be a monument to him as one of the most beautiful cities in the world.

CHAPTER IV. THE FOUNDATIONS OF THE CAPITAL LAID BY GEORGE WASHINGTON.

The greatest obstacle General Washington and the Commissioners met with in founding the Federal city on the banks of the Potomac was the objection of Davy Burns to surrendering his broad acres, which lay in the heart of the proposed site, for any such purpose. Burns had no desire to part with his possessions, consisting of 650 acres, which at one time had been a part of the tract called the "Widow's Mite."

The Commissioners failed in their endeavors at negotiation, and President Washington was called upon to use his persuasive arguments. They were seated under one of the old trees near the cottage that once gave shelter and shade to this sturdy Scotch household. Washington waxed warm and Davy Bruns became more and more obdurate. At last Burns irritably replied: "If it had not been for the widow Custis and her niggers, you would never have been anything but a land surveyor, and a very poor one at that."

Burns was at last convinced that his farm would be taken anyway and he had better make the best bargain possible. The principal proprietors then signed a contract which gave the streets without compensation, they to receive £25 per acre for all lands used for public building; every other lot belonged to the proprietors.

The White House was built on a part of the "Widow's Mite" and the cornerstone was laid October 13, 1792, almost a year before that of the Capitol.

Where the Capitol now stands was a thick wood. The work was commenced, plans sought, and architects employed; Thornton, Hallett, Hoban, Latrobe are before us, and yet the Capitol rises in dignity, with all the symmetry and classic grace that we might expect from the inspiration of one master mind.

Work was often held back for lack of money, and with the petty jealousies of engineers and architects it can be imagined what some of the tribulations were through which the Capitol passed to completion. We find that it was the same old human nature that governed men as now; just as inharmonious and hard to manage, and Washington often passed through the Garden of Gethsemane when the foundations of his beloved Capitol were being laid.

Today, when we look upon the Nation's home, that magnificent abode of the Goddess of Liberty, we realize that the eyes of the world are upon it; that it is the emblem of freedom and prosperity to the people who seek refuge under the shadow of her wing; that it is the Mecca of the patriot and the goal of the politician.

The beautiful dome of the Nation's Capitol speaks but with one voice to the world's oppressed. What a contrast to the day that Washington put all perplexities and hindrances behind him and stood before the people, to take part in the laying of the cornerstone of this monument to liberty. In reflected glimpses we see Washington, silver crowned by the years and the service he had given to his country, ready to put the seal of the Government on the crowning glory of the Nation. Out of the bogs and the mire a city was showing the first blade of the planting. The dawn of that perfect day, of which the founders of the Capital so fondly dreamed was breaking. This was only a hundred years ago. Did the Father of his Country have a prophetic vision? Does he not look down upon the city of his love to a new Washington, the perfected Capital—and its magnificent environments? And can he not say mine eyes have witnessed the coming glory of our Nation?

Great preparation had been made for the event of the laying of the cornerstone; grenadier and artillery companies were mustered, civic societies and distinguished citizens assembled. The ceremonies took place on the 18th of September, 1793. It was then a city without houses and without streets. There were "squares and morasses and obelisks in trees." There were no members of the Cabinet, no heads of Departments or Foreign Ministers here. The members of Congress were in Philadelphia. It was a few days' drive instead of a few hours' ride from Philadelphia to Washington.

The day dawned fair and cloudless, such as we have seen on inauguration days; but we imagine there was a striking contrast to the ceremonies witnessed every four years in this latter half of the century when a President is inaugurated. The ceremonies proper were to be under the auspices of the Masonic fraternity.

Lodge No. 22, of Alexandria, of which Washington was a charter member, had the precedence, assisted by the Lodges of Maryland. Washington, for the day, was Grand Master.

The procession formed in President's Square and marched two abreast, with General Washington at the head, with music playing, drums beating, colors flying and spectators rejoicing. When the Capitol Square was reached the Grand Marshal ordered a halt and directed each file in the procession to incline two steps, one to the right, one to the left, and face each other, which formed a hollow oblong square, through which the Grand Sword Bearer led the van, followed by the Grand Master pro tern. On the left, the President of the United States in the center, and the Worshipful Master of Lodge No. 22, Virginia, on the right.

All the other orders that made up the procession advanced in the reverse of their order of march from the President's Square to the southeast corner of the Capitol and the artillery filed off to a designated ground to display their military maneuvers and discharge their cannon.

The President of the United States, the Grand Master pro tempore on the left, the Worshipful Master of Lodge No. 22, took their stand to the east of a huge stone, and all the craft forming a circle westward stood a short time in solemn order.

The artillery discharged a volley; the Grand Master delivered to the Commissioners a large silver plate with an inscription thereon, which the Commissioners ordered to be read, and was as follows: This southeast cornerstone of the Capitol of the United States of America in the City of Washington was laid on the 18th day of September, 1793, in the 18th 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 this 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 5793, by the President of the United States in concert with the Grand Lodge of Maryland, several Lodges under its jurisdiction, and Lodge No. 22, from Alexandria, Va.

Thomas Johnson, David Stuart, Daniel Carroll, Committee.

Joseph Clark, Right Worshipful Grand Master, pro tempore.

James Hoban and Stephen Hallate, 'Architects.

Collen Williamson, Master Mason.

After the reading, the artillery discharged a volley; the plate was then delivered to the President, who, attended by the Grand Master pro tern., and three Most Worshipful Masters, descended to the caisson trench and deposited the plate and laid it on the cornerstone of the Capitol of the United States of America, on which were deposited corn, wine and oil, which was according to the ritual and practice of the Masonic fraternity. The interpretation is, the corn of nourishment, the wine of refreshment, and the oil of joy.

The whole assemblage joined in reverential prayer, which was followed by Masonic chanting honors and a volley from the artillery. The President and his attendants ascended from the caisson to the east of the cornerstone, and there the Grand Master pro tern., elevated on a triple rostrum, delivered an oration fitting the occasion. At intervals during the delivery of the oration several volleys were discharged by the artillery. The ceremony ended in prayer.

We are told that the whole company retired to an extensive booth where an ox of 500 pounds weight had been barbecued, to which the company was served, with an abundance of other "recreation". The festival concluded with fifteen successive volleys from the artillery, and as the sun sank behind the Virginia hills the company dispersed.

Undoubtedly it was one of the most satisfactory days in the life of Washington. He not only participated in laying the foundation stone of the nation, but the cornerstone of its Capitol. Yet, Providence denied him the crowning felicity of seeing the Government of the Nation housed in its own Capitol.

For six years Washington watched the progress of the builders and architects. The year before the removal of the archives of the Nation to the Capital, the great founder of the Federal Republic, the bulwark in war, the guide in peace, was no more. His countrymen consecrated the memory of that heroic leader by carrying on to completion the work he had planned and loved.

After many vicissitudes and changes in architects and superintendents, the Senate Wing was ready to be occupied November 17, 1800; the House Wing was completed in 1811 and' ready for occupancy.

In 1893, the 18th of September, in the presence of Congress, the Executive, the Judiciary, and a vast concourse of grateful people, one hundred years after the laying of the cornerstone of the Capitol, a bronze tablet commemorative of the event was placed as near as possible to the original cornerstone.

CHAPTER V. THE EARLY HISTORY OF THE WHITE HOUSE.

The cornerstone of the White House was laid October 13,1792; almost a year before that of the Capitol. It is very probably that Daniel Carroll had visions of a city on the hill, and that a speculative movement was inaugurated, and that Mr. Carroll sold many of his broad acres with "promises of payment." But that it was the intention of the Commissioners or General Washington that the growth of the city should be to the eastward ought to be of easy refutation, when a moment's thought is given to the location of the White House, which preceded that of the Capitol.

It was constructed with a view to the Executive Departments being under the same roof as the home of the President, which had always been the case.

The name, "White House," it is said, had its origin from the old colonial estate where the young widow Custis was living with her two children when George Washington first met her, and from which she removed when she became his wife. Her home was known as the "White House." The official name, "The Executive Mansion," has always an incongruous sound, and really does not seem in keeping with the home of the President's family.

It is altogether proper for official documents to emanate from the Executive Department, where the President and his official household of secretaries, clerks, messengers, etc., hold forth; but why should the wife of the President be compelled to have all social documents, cards of invitation, personal stationery, emblazoned "Executive Mansion," meaning the workshop of the Nation?

The household of President John Adams arrived at the home of the President, November 17, 1800. Four days after, November 21, Mrs. Adams wrote a letter to her daughter, which gives in vivid language the condition of the "White House" and the city in general. She writes: "Woods are all you see after you leave Baltimore until you reach this city, which is only so in name.

"Here and there is a small cot without a glass window, interspersed among the forests, through which you travel miles without seeing a human being.

"The house is upon a grand and superb scale, requiring about 30 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."

In this letter she recites all the discomforts of an unfinished house—plastering not dry, short of wood, no men to cut wood or to cart it, etc. The main stairs were not up, and not a single apartment finished. Six chambers only were made comfortable; two of these were occupied as Executive Departments. The oval room upstairs was the drawing room, two rooms down stairs were finished, one a parlor and one for levees.

The great unfinished drawing room she made a drying room to hang clothes in; and yet, she scolds: "12 years have passed since it has been considered the future seat of Government. If this had been in New England very many of the present inconveniences would have been removed"; but the admonition comes: "You must keep this to yourself, and when asked how I like it, say that I write you the situation is beautiful, which is true."

It could hardly be expected that the growth of the Capital City could be other than slow. To strike out into a wilderness to build a city, with every surrounding forbidding, except the situation, is a project standing alone in the world's history. The establishment of a great city quite removed from business centers, with no projectile force of commerce, or business of any kind, seems beyond comprehension, and yet the plan from the first inception seems to have been one of magnitude without a parallel.

The buildings from the outset were not only to accommodate the Government of a new Republic, but buildings that should be in keeping as the Nation advanced. The same sagacious minds that formed the Constitution, that has proved to be the bulwark of the Nation through the years, in their conception of the buildings for a Federal City, looked to a future in their construction co-ordinate with the Constitution.

The distance of the President's House from the Capitol and other public buildings might have been a hindrance or matter of slow development; for we must remember that heavy forests, swamps, bogs, mud, bushes, thorns and tanglewood had to be overcome, and magnificent distances added to the struggle.

Mr. Hines, in his "Recollections," says: "I am confident that when I first saw Pennsylvania Avenue there was not one house upon it." This was 1799 or 1800. The commons, where the Avenue now is, from the foot of Capitol Hill westward, was almost impassable for vehicles of any kind. Indeed, it was almost impossible to walk for mud, thorns and briers.

After a while a tolerably good footway was made by carting gravel, chips and freestone. When this was done they began filling in and leveling the center of the Avenue. He thinks it was 1801 that the planting of trees was commenced along the Avenue. A row was planted on each side of the street, near where the curbstones were to be set, and in addition two more rows, of equal distance from the curbstones and nearer the center of the Avenue. The trees were Lombardy Poplars.

The Tiber, which ran at the foot of Capitol Hill, could only be crossed along the course of the Avenue by a foot-bridge made of two logs placed side by side, on which people walked across the stream in going to and from the Capitol.

The Duke de la Rochefoucault Liancourt wrote, in 1796: "There is not even one house between the Capitol and the President's house. The plan of the city is both judicious and noble; but it is, in fact, the grandness and magnificence of the plan which render the conception no better than a dream."