Chapter V: Washington and L'Enfant in George Town

Such was the town through which General George Washington passed in April 1789, on his way from Mount Vernon to his inauguration in New York as first President of the government which was trying out an experiment new to the world.

In the _Times and Potowmack Packet_, on April 23, is this insertion:

George Town. Last Thursday passed through this town on his way to
New York the most illustrious, the President of the United States of
America, with Charles Thompson, Esq. Secretary, to Congress. His
Excellency arrived at about 2 O'Clock on the bank of the Patowmack,
escorted by a respectable corps of gentlemen from Alexandria where
the George Town ferry boats, properly equipped, received his
Excellency and suit, safely landed them, under the acclamation of a
large crowd of their grateful fellow citizens--who beheld his
Fabius, in the evening of his day, bid adieu to the peaceful retreat
of Mount Vernon, in order to save his country once more from
confusion and anarchy. From this place his Excellency was escorted
by corps of gentlemen commanded by Col. Wm. Deakins, Junr., to Mr.
Spurrier's Tavern, where the escort from Baltimore take charge of
him.

Colonel Deakins was Justice of the Peace, a very high office in those days, (there was no mayor) besides being a large landowner and shipowner.

Among the prominent men who probably formed this escort were many of Washington's former officers of the Revolutionary Army, for when he came to George Town he was amongst old friends: Colonel Forrest, Major Stoddert, General James Maccubbin Lingan, General Otho Williams, William Beatty (who had distinguished himself in the army and had attained the rank of Colonel), Thomas Richardson who, although a Quaker, was Captain of a company and won high repute; William Murdock, who had been a Colonel of militia raised for the defense of the Province of Maryland in 1776, and Lloyd Beall, who had been adjutant of the Staff of Alexander Hamilton, and General John Mason.

I quote freely from Dr. H. Paul Caemmerer's very interesting _Biography of Pierre Charles L'Enfant_. "Among the numerous problems of the first Congress in 1789, was the question of establishment of a seat of government or a National Capital. During the period of the Continental Congress and the subsequent period of the Congress of the Confederation, from 1774 to 1789, Congress had met in eight different town and cities--Philadelphia, Baltimore, Lancaster, York, Princeton, Annapolis, Trenton, and New York City, part of the time pursued by the enemy and part of the time attacked by disgruntled soldiers. It was found difficult for Members of Congress to find adequate quarters, and it was always a problem to move records and files. Thus it developed that Congress wanted a home of its own. The Constitution of the United States provided for a Federal District ten miles square (Art. 1, Sec. 8, Par. 17)."

"On September 11, 1789, while yet the idea of locating a Capital City was still unsettled, L'Enfant wrote to President Washington asking to be employed to design the Capital of 'this vast empire.'"

"It might be inferred from this letter that L'Enfant knew more about the controversy in the Halls of Congress on the subject of location of the Seat of Government than we know today. It was at its height, that we know. The question of size of the Federal District had been settled by the Constitution--it was to be ten miles square. Now the question of location predominated--the question of 'exclusive jurisdiction' to be exercised by Congress had been generally conceded.

The discussion was finally limited to two sites: first, a location on the banks of the Potomac at least as far South as Georgetown, Maryland, which was favored particularly by the Southern members of Congress as being the geographical center of the United States; second, a site on the Delaware River near the falls above Trenton, which Pennsylvania, Delaware, and the other States nearby favored. But on the whole it was deemed very important during the First Congress to give the National Capital a central location along the Atlantic coast. Southern members led by Richard Bland Lee and James Madison, of Virginia, argued for consideration for the question by Congress before adjournment, and recommended the Potomac River site near Georgetown."

"The burning question before Congress at the time was a bill for funding of the public debt and the assumption of debts incurred by the States during the Revolutionary War, amounting to about $20,000,000. Alexander Hamilton as the first Secretary of the Treasury had recommended the funding of both forms of indebtedness in obligations of the United States. His aim was to restore the value of the worthless continental dollar (a pound of tea sold for $90; a pair of shoes for $100; a barrel of flour for $1,500 in paper money) but it was pointed out that the assumption of State debts by the Government would result in most benefits to the Northern States where there was most of the trade, while mostly agriculture was in the South.... Thus we come to the famous compromise proposed by Hamilton about the middle of June, 1790, when in consideration of locating the capital on the banks of the Potomac he hoped to secure enough votes to secure the enactment of the funding bill."

"Thus by the Act of July 16, 1790, it was definitely decided that the seat of government should be on the banks of the Potomac."

"Thereupon arose the question of design for the Federal City. Pursuant to the application received, President Washington chose Pierre Charles L'Enfant, 'the artist of the American Revolution,' for this work. No better choice could have been made. L'Enfant applied his ability to the task with enthusiasm; the approbation of 'his General' gave him supreme satisfaction."

"In accordance with directions from President Washington, Major L'Enfant proceeded to Georgetown for the purpose of making a sketch of the area proposed for the Federal City that would enable him to fix locations on the spot for public buildings. He arrived on March 9, 1791. L'Enfant carried with him a letter of instructions from Secretary of State Jefferson as follows:

'Sir: You are desired to proceed to Georgetown where you will find
Mr. Ellicott employed in making a survey and Map of the Federal
Territory. The special object of asking your aid is to have a
drawing of the particular grounds most likely to be approved for the
site of the Federal town and buildings. You will therefore be
pleased to begin on the Eastern branch and proceed from thence
upwards, laying down the hills, valleys, morasses and waters between
that and the Potomac, The Tyber, and the road leading from
Georgetown to the Eastern branch and connecting the whole with
certain fixed points on the map Mr. Ellicott is preparing. Some idea
of the height of the lands above the base on which they stand would
be desirable. For necessary assistance and expense be pleased to
apply to the Mayor of Georgetown who is written to on the subject. I
will beg the favor of you to mark to me your progress about twice a
week, say every Wednesday and Saturday evening, that I may be able
in proper time to draw your attention to some other objects which I
have not at this moment sufficient information to define.'"

"_The Maryland Journal and Baltimore Advertiser_ of March 18, 1791, reported Major L'Enfant's arrival in Georgetown as follows:

'GEORGETOWN (Patowmac) March 12.

Wednesday (March 9) evening arrived in this town Major Longfont, a
French gentleman employed by the President of the United States to
survey the lands contiguous to Georgetown, where the Federal City is
to be put. His skill in matters of this kind is justly extolled by
all disposed to give merit its proper tribute of praise. He is
earnest in the business and hopes to be able to lay a plan of that
parcel of land before the President on his arrival in this town.'

"L'Enfant reported to Secretary of State Jefferson, promptly:

'Friday March 11, 1791

Sir: I have the honor of informing you of my arrival at this place
where I could not possibly reach before Wednesday last and very late
in the evening, after having traveled part of the way on foot and
part on horseback leaving the broken stage behind.

'On arriving I made it my first care to wait on the Mayor of the
town in conformity with the direction which you gave me. He appeared
to be much surprised and he assured me he had received no previous
notice of my coming nor any injunction relating to the business I
was sent upon. However next day--yesterday morning--he made me a
kind offer of his assistance in procuring for me three or four men
to attend me in the surveying and this being the only thing I was in
need of, every matter has been soon arranged. I am only at present
to regret that a heavy rain and thick mist which has been incessant
ever since my arrival here, does put an insuperable obstacle to my
wish of proceeding immediately to the survey. Should the weather
continue bad, as there is every appearance it will, I shall be much
at a lost how to make a plan of the ground you have pointed out to
me and have it ready for the President at the time he is expected at
this place.'"

"In the meantime President Washington had begun his triumphal tour through the South. In Maryland he was escorted by his Excellency Governor Howard and the Honorable Mr. Kilty: Washington's Diary for March 28-30, 1791, reports:

'Monday 28th: Left Bladensburgh at half after six, and breakfasted
at George Town about 8:--where, having appointed the Commissioners
under the Residence Law to meet me, I found Mr. Johnson one of them
(and who is Chief Justice of the State) in waiting--and soon after
came in David Stuart, and Danl. Carroll Esqrs. the other two. A few
miles out of Town I was met by the principal Citizens of the place
and escorted in by them; and dined at Suter's tavern (where I also
lodged) at a public dinner given by the Mayor and
Corporation--previous to which I examined the Surveys of Mr.
Ellicott who had been sent on to lay out the district of ten miles
square for the federal seat; and also works of Majr. L'Enfant who
had been engaged to examine and make a draught of the grds. in the
vicinity of George Town and Carrollsburg on the Eastern Branch
making arrangements for examining the ground myself tomorrow with
the Commissioners.'

'Tuesday, 29th

'In thick mist, and under strong appearance of a settled rain (which
however did not happen) I set out about 7 o'clock, for the purpose
above mentioned, but from the unfavorableness of the day, I derived
no great satisfaction from the review.

'Finding the interests of the Landholders about George Town and
those about the Carrollsburgh much at variance and that their fears
and jealousies of each were counteracting the public purposes and
might prove injurious to its best interests, whilst if properly
managed they might be made to subserve it, I requested them to meet
me at six o'clock this afternoon at my lodgings, which they
accordingly did....

'Dined at Colo. Forrest's today with the Commissioners and others.'
[Whose residence was at 3348 M Street.]

'Wednesday, 30th.

'The parties to whom I addressed myself yesterday evening, having
taken the matter into consideration, saw the propriety of my
observations; and that whilst they were contending for the shadow
they might loose the substance; and therefore mutually agreed and
entered into articles to surrender for public purposes, one half of
the land they severally possessed within the bounds which were
designated as necessary for the City to stand with some other
stipulations, which were inserted in the instrument which they
respectively subscribed.

'This business being thus happily finished and some directions given
to the Commissioners, the Surveyor and Engineer with respect to the
mode of laying out the district--Surveying the grounds for the City
and forming them into lots--I left Georgetown, dined in Alexandria
and reached Mount Vernon in the evening.'"

The "others," with whom he dined, were evidently the proprietors of the land, sixteen, who next day signed before witnesses the agreement drawn up that day. It is too long to quote in its entirety, but in effect these were the conditions: "that in consideration of the good benefits they were to derive from having the Federal City laid off upon their lands the President may retain any number of squares he may think proper for public improvements or uses at the rate of L25 ($66.66 in Penn. currency) per acre. For the streets they should receive no compensation. Each proprietor was to retain full possession of his land till it should be sold into lots." The men who signed, in order of signing, were: Robert Peter, David Burnes, James M. Lingan, Uriah Forrest, Benjamin Stoddert, Notley Young, Daniel Carroll, of Duddington; Overton Carr, Thomas Beall, of George; Charles Beatty, Anthony Holmead, William Young, Edward Peirce, Abraham Young, James Peirce, and William Prout. At a later date the following men joined in the agreement and are often counted among the original property holders: Robert Morris, Samuel Blodget, William Bailey, Samuel Davidson, William Deakins, Jr., James Greenleaf, Thomas Johnson, Robert Lingan, Dominick Lynch, John Nicholson, John H. Stone, Comfort Sands, Benjamin Oden, John P. Van Ness, George Walker, and the legal guardians of Elizabeth Wheeler.

It was in this little town that the President issued his proclamation concerning the permanent seat of government of the United States. It reads thus:

Done at George Town, aforesaid, the 30th day of March in the year of
our Lord, 1791 and in the Independence of the United States the
fifteenth.

By the President,
GEORGE WASHINGTON.
THOMAS JEFFERSON.

Having satisfactorily accomplished this business, General Washington proceeded to Mount Vernon, whence he wrote on April 3, 1791, to the Commissioners to proceed at once with the Attorney-General in regard to deeds so that the sale of lots and public buildings might commence as soon as possible. He quotes a letter from Mr. Jefferson:

... that on the 27th of March a bill had been introduced in the
House of Representatives for granting a sum of money for building a
Federal Hall, a house for the President, etc.

At a meeting of the Commissioners on September 9, 1791, in reply to a letter from Major L'Enfant a letter was written saying:

... that the title of the map he was making was to be, "A Map of the
City of Washington in the Territory of Columbia," and that the
streets were to be named alphabetically one way and numerically the
other, etc.

(Signed by)
THOMAS JOHNSON,
DAVID STUART,
DANIEL CARROLL.

L'Enfant aimed to make an original plan for the Federal City, adapted to the topography, but he endeavored to secure ideas from plans of great cities of Europe that might be found possible of adaptation so he wrote to Jefferson who sent his notable reply and plans of a number of cities that he had secured evidently while our minister to France.

"June 30th Washington noted, 'The business which brot. me to Georgetown being finished and the Comrs. instructed with respect to the mode of carrying the plan into effect, I set off this morning a littel after 4 o'clock, in the prosecution of my journey towards Philadelphia....'"

"Thereupon the building site for the city took on intense activity."

Pierre Charles L'Enfant was the son of Pierre L'Enfant, an artist who painted battle scenes and also designed tapestries for the Gobelin Works. L'Enfant himself was an artist and it was his artistic temperament which caused him trouble. At the age of 22 he had come to America to volunteer his services in the war against England. He became an officer of engineers, and also helped Gen. von Steuben drill the Army at Valley Forge, and worked on fortifications. After the war he was a practicing architect in New York City for several years but when he heard of the Federal City to be created he longed to be the author of its plan and as I have said wrote to Washington asking for the job.

But it was his desire for perfection which eventually was his undoing. There was delay in submitting the Plan to President Washington, and also he refused to take orders from any one except Washington, whereas he was told to take them from the three Commissioners of the District of Columbia: Thomas Johnson, David Stuart, and Daniel Carroll. Dr. David Stuart had become the second husband of Mrs. John Parke Custis, daughter-in-law of Mrs. Washington. Things went from bad to worse when the nephew of Daniel Carroll the Commissioner, Daniel Carroll of Duddington, started to build a house which abutted into a street laid out on the Plan and Major L'Enfant had it demolished. Also there was delay in getting the Map engraved.

Major L'Enfant lived at Suter's Tavern during the months he was working in George Town. But where he actually did his work of drawing his famous Map, where Andrew Ellicott had his office as surveyor, and where the three Commissioners met for their business has never been settled.

The tradition is that their office was The Little Old Stone House, now 3049 M Street, and known for many years as "General Washington's Headquarters." As General Washington never had need for military headquarters here, for there was no fighting nearby, this tradition has persisted that this was the office of the Commissioners.

On December 13th President Washington sent a letter to L'Enfant advising him that he must work under orders from the Commissioners.

"Then before leaving for Philadelphia to superintend the engraving of his "Plan" personally, L'Enfant wrote to the Commissioners asking for supplies for the winter work, as follows:

'Georgetown Dec. 25, 1791.

'Gentlemen: Mr. Roberdeau, on whose activity and zeal I rely in the
execution of what is necessary to accomplish this winter, will
communicate to you a statement of the business I committed to this
care and I have to request you will make provision for the supply of
25 hands in the quarries and 50 in the city which in all will be 75
men kept in employment besides their respective overseers.

'There is an immediate necessity for a number of wheel-barrows and
above 100 will be wanted early in the spring. Therefore I beg you
will devise the mode of obtaining that number before the 15th of
March next--These wheel-barrows ought to be made light and should be
only roughly finished, though substantial, ...'

Next we find that L'Enfant addressed a long and comprehensive Report to President Washington 'for renewing the work at the Federal City' in the approaching season and giving an estimate of expenditures for one year in the amount of $1,200,000."

"We have here to do with the idealism of L'Enfant that contemplated quite a completely built city before it was occupied and operated as a 'Seat of Government.' Unfortunately, L'Enfant did not realize the poverty of the Treasury; and the state of mind of national legislators, particularly of the North, who preferred to stay in Philadelphia to moving 'to the Indian Place' on the banks of the Potomac."

"It is generally thought that the trouble concerning the Daniel Carroll of Duddington House was the reason for L'Enfant's resignation from the Washington work in March, 1792, and the reason for the letter from Secretary of State Jefferson terminating his services that month. But a close analysis of L'Enfant's experiences reveals that this was simply a 'serious incident' in a chain of troubles to follow. This brings to light the names of L'Enfant's assistants Roberdeau and Baraof. There were also Benjamin Banneker; and Alexander Ralston."

"L'Enfant remained silent so far as arguments with President Washington and the Plan was concerned, until 1800 after 'his General' had died. In the meantime the L'Enfant Plan was engraved, the question of compensation to L'Enfant came up and he was reimbursed in part." But the question of payment to Major L'Enfant was never settled.

After leaving Georgetown he worked on a Plan for the city of Patterson, New Jersey, built a magnificent house for Robert Morris in Philadelphia which was never finished, and also Oeller's Hotel where the Philadelphia Assemblies were held.

From 1800 to 1810 he spent most of his time and efforts trying to secure payment for his services in laying out the Plan of the Capital City of Washington. On July 7, 1812 Secretary of War Eustis appointed him Professor of Engineering in the Military Academy at West Point but he declined saying that he had not "the rigidity of manner, the tongue nor the patience, nor indeed any inclination peculiar to instructors."

In 1814 he was consulted in regard to the fortification of Fort Washington opposite Mount Vernon and did some work there.

After the war was over he continued to live there at Warburton Manor with Thomas A. Digges until 1824 when he went to live with a nephew William Dudley Digges at Green Hill nearby, where he died, June 14, 1825, and was buried on the estate.

In 1909 the U. S. Government at last honored him by burying him in the National Cemetery at Arlington, in front of the house, overlooking the city of his dream.

At twelve o'clock October 12, 1792, the corner-stone of the President's House was laid, but there is no record of any ceremony. There is, however, a long account in the newspapers of the laying of the corner-stone of the Capitol, which was personally performed by George Washington in his capacity as a Mason, on September 18, 1792, "amid a brilliant crowd of spectators of both sexes." Right at the head of the procession, immediately following "the Surveying Department of the City of Washington," is noted "The Mayor and Corporation of George Town." John Threlkeld was Mayor that year, and certainly that "brilliant crowd" must have been largely composed of Georgetonians for the dwellers in the City of Washington at that time were few and far between. Witness General Washington's letter on the 17th of May, 1795, to Alexander White, one of the Commissioners: "I shall intimate that a residence in the City if a house is to be had, will be more promotive of its welfare than your abode in George Town." He was nursing along his namesake in every possible way. On February 8, 1798, he notes in his diary: "Visited Public Buildings in the morning." The day before, the 7th, he speaks of going to a meeting of the Potomac Company, dining with Colonel Fitzgerald, and lodging with Thomas Peter at Number 2618 K Street. This was only natural, as Mrs. Peter was, of course, his step-granddaughter. On that same trip he met the Commissioners again, this time at Union Tavern, and dined there. On August 5th his diary says: "Went to George Town to a general meeting of the Potomac Company. Dined at the Union Tavern and lodged at Mr. Law's." Thomas Law, an Englishman, had married Eliza Custis, Mrs. Washington's eldest grandchild, and had a home on Capitol Hill.

On August 11th he again spent the night at Thomas Peter's home, and that was the last night he ever spent in the city named in his honor. He was never to live to see the government established in the city over which he had worked so hard, and in which he had such absolute implicit faith.

"A century hence," he wrote, "if this country keeps united, it will produce a city, though not so large as London, yet of a magnitude inferior to few other in Europe."