Jan. 4, 1795, published at Philadelphia, is a long article, setting forth the general plan, and more particularly the designs for the Mall or garden from the Capitol to the President's House. The following is an extract:

"To found a city, for the purpose of making, it the depository of the acts of the Union, and the sanctuary of the laws which must, one day, rule all North America, is a grand and comprehensive idea, which has already become, with propriety, the object of public respect. The city of Washington, considered under such important points of view, could not be calculated on a small scale; its extent, the disposition of its avenues and public squares, should all correspond with the magnitude of the objects for which it was intended-and we need only cast our eyes upon the situation and plan of the city, to recognize in them the comprehensive genius of the President, to whom the direction of the business has been committed by Congress.

XVIII.

COMMENCEMENT OF THE CAPITOL, 1793.

On the 18th of September, 1793, the southeast corner stone of the Capitol was laid by Washington, and a minute account of the cere

monial appears in the Maryland Gazette, published at Annapolis, Sept. 26th, 1793. It is mostly devoted to the Masonic ceremonial so usual at that day, in which "Lodge 22, of Virginia, that congregation so graceful to the craft,” figures largely with "Grand Master P. J. Geo. Washington, Worshipful Master" of said Lodge. We are also told that there appeared "on the southern banks of the grand river Potomac, one of the finest companies of artillery that hath been lately seen, parading to receive the President of the U. S." The Commissioners delivered to the President, who deposited in the stone, a silver plate, with the following inscription:

"This southeast corner stone of the Capitol of the United States of America in the city of Washington was laid on the 18th day of September, 1792, in the thirteenth 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 his country have been so 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,. Virginia.

"Thomas Johnson, David Stewart, and Daniel Carroll, Commissioners; Joseph Clark, R. W. G. M. P. T.; James Hoban and Stephen Hallate, Architects; Collin Williamson, M. Mason."

A Mr. Clotworthy Stevenson made an address, and the account concludes as follows:

"The whole company retired to an extensive booth, where an ox of 500 lbs. weight was barbecued, of which the company generally partook, with every abundance of other recreation. The festival concluded with fifteen successive volleys from the artillery, whose military discipline and manœuvres merit every commendation.

"Before dark the whole company departed with joyful hopes of the production of their labor."

It may be interesting, in this connection, to glance at the proceeding which took place near this spot fifty-eight years afterward, when the following was deposited in another stone, in the handwriting of Daniel Webster.

"On the morning of the first day of the seventy-sixth year of the Independence of the United States of America, in the City of Washington, being the fourth day of July, eighteen hundred and fifty-one, this stone, designed as the corner stone of the extension of the Capitol, according to a plan approved by the Presi

dent, in pursuance of an act of Congress, was laid by

MILLARD FILLMORE,

President of the United States,

assisted by the Grand Master of the Masonic Lodges, in the presence of many members of Congress, of officers of the Executive and Judiciary Department, National, State, and District, of officers of the Army and Navy, the Corporate authorities of this and neighboring cities, many associations, civil and military and masonic, officers of the Smithsonian Institution and National Institute, professors of colleges and teachers of schools of the District, with their students and pupils, and a vast concourse of people from places near and remote, including a few surviving gentlemen who witnessed the laying of the corner stone of the Capitol by President Washington, on the eighteenth day of September, seventeen hundred and ninety-three.

"If therefore, it shall be hereafter the will of God that this structure shall fall from its base, that its foundation be upturned, and this deposit brought to the eyes of men, be it then known, that, on this day the Union of the United States of America stands firm, that their Constitution still exists unimpaired, and with all its original usefulness and glory; growing every day stronger

and stronger in the affection of the great body of the American people, and attracting more and more the admiration of the world. And all here assembled, whether belonging to public life or to private life, with hearts devoutly thankful to Almighty God for the preservation of the liberty and happiness of the country, unite in sincere and fervent prayers that this deposit, and the walls and arches, the domes and towers, the columns and entablatures now to be erected over it, may endure forever.

ICA.

"GOD SAVE THE UNITED STATES OF AMER"DANIEL WEBSTER,

แ Secretary of State of the United States."

At the moment when this corner stone was laid there were men plotting that rebellion which now threatens the Union!

In the speech made by Mr. Webster on the occasion, occurs the following beautiful allusion to the first corner stone.

"Fellow citizens, what contemplations are awakened in our minds as we assemble here to reënact a scene like that performed by WASHINGTON! Methinks I see his venerable form now before me, as presented in the glorious statue by Houdon, now in the Capitol of Virginia. He is dignified and grave; but concern and anxiety seem to soften the lineaments of his