Diary of a Georgetowner

Chapter 13

Edited by David Roffman

September 2008

Photo: Statue of Major Pierre L'Enfant

March 19, 1791. Major Pierre L’Enfant (whom some of our journals persist in naming “Longfont”) has arrived in Georgetown to survey the lands contiguous to Georgetown for the Federal City. He is a tall, erect man of military bearing and courtly manner. When I saw him he was completely enveloped in a long overcoat and a bell-crowned hat. He came to this country originally to volunteer his services in the war and became an officer of engineers. He has been employed as an architect in New York since the war.

Also here is Mr. Thomas Johnson, Chief Justice of the state who is, I hear, to be appointed to the Supreme Court and has already been made a member of the board of commissioners of the Federal City as well as a director of the Potomac Company. The other two commissioners are Daniel Carroll, Esq., and Dr. David Stuart.

March 27, 1791. No one in Georgetown talks of anything but the news that President Washington will be here again tomorrow to inspect the proposed site for the Federal City on the Potomac.

As I have heard the story, the adoption of the plan to locate the capital here was the work of our distinguished Secretary of State, Mr. Jefferson. It seems that, in spite of their many differences, Mr. Jefferson agreed with Mr. Hamilton that the latter’s Assumption Bill was needed to save our credit in Europe. Mr. Jefferson fears nothing more than a dissolution of our Union at this early stage, so he decided to use a bit of strategy for the good of the country. He invited Mr. Hamilton and two Virginia Congressmen, Messrs. Lee and White, to his house for dinner. In that convivial atmosphere the gentlemen agreed to a bargain. Mr. Hamilton promised to get the Northern members of Congress to vote for a bill establishing the national capital on the Potomac, and the Virginia Congressmen agreed to switch their votes on the Assumption Bill. Both sides it appears, kept the bargain, and the bill was passed last August 4.

As far as I can see, Georgetown will be the gainer in this affair, but there are some sour faces here who think that having the Federal Government as a near neighbor will disturb our quiet ways. Our best citizens, however, deem it an honor.

March 28, 1791. President Washington arrived at eight o’clock this morning from Mount Vernon and was met by the commissioners and other principal citizens. He examined the surveys of Mr. Andrew Ellicott, the official surveyor, who had come on ahead to lay out the district of ten miles square for the Federal City, and also the plans of Major L’Enfant. The President will look over the grounds personally tomorrow with the commissioners.

It is certain that President Washington will issue a proclamation in a few days that the permanent Seat of Government, the “Ten Miles Square” authorized by Congress, has finally been selected.

March 29, 1791. The President was given a public dinner last night at Suter’s tavern, where he is lodging, by the Mayor and Corporation of Georgetown. I heard there that the formal proclamation we are all awaiting will be issued tomorrow, and that a bill has been introduced in the House of Representatives to grant money for building the Federal Hall, the President’s House, etc.

Today His Excellency looked over the site of the city, although hampered by a thick mist. Then he me with Georgetown and Carrollsburgh land owners to hear our opinions and put to rest any fears of jealousies we might have been harboring. He is to dine again tonight with the commissioners at Col. Forrest’s house (3350 M Street).

March 30, 1791. We have had our proclamation on the site for the Capital, and all the land holders, in true patriotic spirit, have agreed to turn over a portion of their land within the Federal District at the compensation of $66.66 per acre. The sixteen gentlemen most closely concerned in this transaction are Robert Peter, David Burnes, Gen.
Lingan, Gen. Forrest, Col. Stoddert, Notley Young, Daniel Carroll of Duddington, Overton Carr, Thomas Beall of Georgetown, Col. Beatty, Anthony Holmead, William Young, Edward Pierce, Abraham Young, James Pierce, and William Prout.

The President left Georgetown this evening to dine in Alexandria (which will become part of the District) and then will ride on to Mount Vernon. Mr. Ellicott and Major L’Enfant will make their headquarters at Suter’s Tavern, and it is said that the first lots in the capital city will be auctioned off there in the presence of President Washington.

July 2, 1791. We are informed by the Ledger that buildings for the Legislature are to be erected on Jenkin’s Hill (Daniel Carroll of Duddington’s land), while the President’s House and the Department of State will be situated nearer Georgetown on land adjoining Hamburg (Foggy Bottom). President Washington was here last week on his way to Philadelphia to meet with the commissioners.

I also read that a gentleman named John Lockwood has started a circulating library in his store in Alexandria, for which Georgetown subscriptions will be taken by Mr. Suter. I was happy to observe Mr. Lockwood’s assurances that no books tending to corrupt the morals of youth will ever be admitted to his library.

September 15, 1791. Mr. Corcoran has built a three-story house on Congress Street (31st Street – no. 3119) where he will establish his leather business.

More news about the Federal territory: streets are to be named alphabetically in one direction and numerically in the other.

October 11, 1791. Georgetown Seminary has opened its doors with Dr. Robert Plunkett, an English priest, as rector. The mayor’s sons, George and David Peter, have enrolled there.

Gen. Forrest’s first child, a daughter,w as born a few weeks ago at Sotterly in St. Mary’s County. She is to be named Elizabeth.

December 22, 1791. The Maryland legislature has passed an Act of Cession to transfer its territory in the Federal District to the national government, but work on the laying out of the city has foundered, temporarily, it is hoped. The trouble seems to be due to a misunderstanding on the part of Major L’Enfant. A man of strong independence of character, he is intensely loyal to the President and will receive orders only from him. I understand that President
Washington has written to him to urge him to submit himself to the direction of the commissioners, which L’Enfant has thus far refused to do.

March 10, 1792. After months of increasing dissension between the District commissioners and Major L’Enfant, the latter has resigned his post – or been dismissed; some say one, some say the other. There was one incident which undoubtedly led to the break. Daniel Carroll of Duddington, nephew of Commissioner Daniel Carroll, had started to build a house which abutted into a street laid out by L’Enfant in his plan. When Mr. Carroll would not halt the construction, L’Enfant had the partially completed structure demolished. The resulting charges and countercharges must have made any further relationship impossible. I hope this is not an evil omen for the new capital.

July 28, 1792. Gen. Forrest, our new mayor, has begun building a summer home two miles north of Georgetown on land that he had owned with Col. Stoddert until the colonel sold him his share. Gen. Forrest calls his country estate “Rosedale” and plans a comfortable stone cottage there.

The Federal City commissioners have awarded the prize for the best plans submitted for the President’s house to James Hoban, a young Irish architect now living in Charleston, South Carolina. The award consists of $500 and a gold medal worth ten guineas ($46.00).

September 18, 1792.My wife’s brother takes ship for London tomorrow, so we must be up betimes to see him safely off. He will sail on the ship “Lydia,” Lemuel Toby, master, and has secured very genteel accommodations through he good offices of our friend, Col. Deakins.

October 9, 1792. I am saddened to record the passing of George Mason of Gunston Hall who died two days ago at his home. One by one we lose the great patriots of our country’s birth, but that is the way of all life.

October 13, 1792. What a number of toasts I have drunk this evening – but what an occasion for them. The cornerstone of the President’s House was laid today, and after the ceremonies President Washington, all the distinguished guests, and as may of the rest of us as could squeeze in, repaired to the Fountain Inn to celebrate with toasts the new nation and the new capital. We shall soon see the grand and stately buildings of the Federal City rising across Rock Creek.

October 14, 1792. Unwell this morning. Kept to my bed till noon, much to the displeasure of my good wife. It takes but a small thing, it seems, to shatter my domestic tranquility.

(To Be Continued) Return to the top