Frederick Law Olmsted Subject File Public and State Buildings U.S. Capitol 1879-82Private 
30th Jan. 1879.
A. Mortimer Esq
My Dear Sir;
The Capitol Grounds
at Washington are so much
visited from all parts of the country
and are so distinguished that
there has been much eagerness
among certain of our nursery visitors
represented in them. [One of them]
Parsons managed while I was
on your side last spring to 
get a lot of his evergreens
planted on them in disregard
of my plans. I shall move them
all in the spring. My importationimportation from you excited a good
deal of feeling and led to a
sharp newspaper attack on
my superiors. To do what
I think best without provoking
prejudice [?] than is necessary,
I have sent my order to
you for this spring through a 
Washington nurseryman. Mr
Saul acts as the agent of
Government in the matter and
the plants will either come in
free of duty or he will be refun-
[ded the duties. He receives the
same commission which I
have in former]did the amount of duties. The arrangement is the same
with that I [have] formerly had
with Parsons, under which I
[imported a good deal from you.
Considerable orders] several orders
sent to you.
All the plants now ordered
are to go in the most conspicuous 
and important positions upon
the grounds, following the architectural
line of the East Court
of the Capitol. The selection of
Rhododendrons was made for me
by Prof Sargent.
The planting season being fully
three months earlier at Washington than
at Boston it is desirable that the shipment
should be made as early as
practicable.
A. Waterer
30 Jan. 1879. 

Mr Waterer. Private
30th. Jun. 1879


Cambridge Mass
15th August 1879

My Dear Mr. Bullard

I shall be glad if 
 you can make it convenient to buy a few plants 
for the Capitol Grounds at R B Parson's Auction Sale 
beginning next Tuesday (19th)  What we more 
particularly want so far as I can judge without 
having seen the plants is a considerable number 
of the extra sized Rhododendrons on the 24th page of 
the Catalogue.  These will probably not be reached until 
the second or third day of the sale but there are [12 lots] 
a dozen lots [at the very beginning of the sale]  That 
will come early the first day which may be large 
enough for our purpose.  You know the situations we 
have to fill & can judge what is desirable.  We 
have to plant probably next fall & spring thickets on 
B St. South. & B St North west of New Jersey Ave. 
corresponding to that on B St North East of New Jersey 
Ave.  We could use altogether on the Grounds 
from 500 to 1000 Rhododendrons, [Rabinas] besides 
some other shrubs.  I see nothing however in this 
catalogue that we particularly want & which is in lots tosuit us besides the Rhododendrons except for the Kalmia
& perhaps some California privet. I should particularly
like the Kalmias if they are large
enough for our purposes.
If you can buy under the above advice
[at prices] so that we can get the plants
at Washington at a cost not exceeding what
similar plants would come to if imported, I
should like you to buy from $400 to 600 worth. The
[The large] larger amount if the plants are [good] large & cheap.O. C. Bullard 
15 Aug. 1879


9 Dec. 79. 

Messrs Tiffany & Co. 
Gentlemen, I should like to 
place under the floor of a summer 
House [which I am building in the] now building in the 
Capitol Grounds at Washington a 
small [carrillon] carillon of [only] sufficient 
power to be heard [about 20 yards 
away] only some 20 or 30 yards away  
It should be set to play a few 
simple airs, should be strong 
and enduring; not liable to 
get out of order or [suffer from 
an] be injured by rust or frost. I
would arrange to have it [moved]worked by water power at intervals, having
the discharge of a drinking fountain
to dispose of.
Will you please inform me
if you have anything [of the]
likely to answer my purpose?
if not, [whether] do you think that it could probably
be found ready made in Europe?
If not [whether] could you have
it made to order? I should
not require it for three months
to come, and could wait if necessary
nine months. I shall be
glad [of any information] to have advice as to [cost &c.]
probable cost &c.Tiffany & Co. 
9 Dec. '79 

about a carillon 
for capitol grounds. 



8 or 9 notes, to be repeated 
say seven times and followed by 
silence for an equal period 
of time.  It would be desirable 
that it should be hardly distinguishable
 at first, and 
only heard in full force the 
fourth time, rising gradually 
and then dying out [and] or lost 
in the tinkle of the waters.  
The simplest way to accomplish 
this that occurs to me 
would be to place the chimes 
in a box, [which at] with 
close fitting lids top andTiffany & Co. Mr Gregg  16th Dec 1879.
One other consideration occurs to
me which it may be as well to
have in view [as] in devising
the chimes for Capitol Grounds.
Suppose the barrel is adapted
to a single "chaner" upon
[8 or 9 notes, it would be des-
desirable that it should to be repeated
several times, then an
interval of silence--In that]
to be repeated perhaps 5 times
or seven times, [the whole occupying
as many]bottom. At first
would be closed, then the
lower lid gradually drawn
out thru the upper. [Afterwards]
The operation afterds
reversed. This to be done by
the clock-work of clock work
is used.[Tiffany] & Co
[Dec.] 1879
About a carillon
for Capitol grounds

Kimball & Wisedell
11 Sept. '81
Brkline, 11th Sep. 1881
Messrs Kimball & Wisedell,
Dear Sirs, If what I am about to
state should not seem to you full or accurate
please mend it as you find occasion
and as corrected in your minds give it such
consideration as upon reflection it may call for.
At the last session of Congress appropriations
were made for a schedule of [work] work
agreed upon in Committee to be done this year & I
was made responsible [for it in connection with Mr
for it. Parts of this work] for it.  The appropriation
did not become available till 1st July [& the work needed
to be seas] leaving a short working season. Of this
work considerable parts had been designed & plans
more or less prepared by Mr Wisedell the previous year. I
made the necessary arrangements for going with them and on
my return from Washington after doing so, reviewed the entire
ground with Mr Wisedell. I asked if with the pressure of
work on your hands he could be sure of supplying what was
wanted in time--certain points were specifically promised before July & others [a little later]
as wanted?  He assured me that he could & would & he made
a business engagement to do so [cheerfully] with apparent cordiality
& satisfaction. He promised also to make an early visitto Washington [to review the architectural work generally] [which]
[he had not been able to and to report to me] and [to report
progress] to me. I was urgent with him in parting [as I had
been before] not to spare letters & telegrams [offers occasion
for advising or reporting to me.]
On the 6th July the Engineer wrote that the promised plans
from Mr Wisdell had not been recd & that the work was [badly] delayed
[put back] [in need] for most of them. He again & again reported [this & that
he had written to Mr. W] in like manner. On the 16th July he wrote "Mr W. knows
one necessity & will attend to it as soon as he can. You hardly
need [go] to report? about it." On the 27d he reported that he
[had written & telegraphed for promised plans by letter & telegram]
Mr Wisedell knew that the [men] were writing for plans, he had
written & telegraphed him, & hoped for them any hour."
[From that day to this I have not I believe had a line from
Mr. Wisedell.]
Early in August I proposed an appointment with
Mr Wisedell at [his] your office [&] many a day a week in
advance; & asking him if possible to be prepared to
go to Washington with me. He tacitly assen

[anxiety, the more so that he offered no explanation]
[anxiety. I wrote naming a day a week
in advance when I [would] promised to call upon
him,[and asking him if practicable]
to have certain matters ready & if practicable
to be prepared to go with me to]
[Washington. [in respect to] [He tacitly assented]
to this arrangement but when on the day named came
to your office and he was [not] there & it was
not till late in the [day] afternoon that [you told] Mr Kimball remember to tell me that
[he was] he had been prevented from coming down
by sudden illness. [He did not inform me] [I should not have known this at all but to see him.]
I waited three days in N York but his illness
continuing went on to Washington not only
without having seen him but without a word
from him. I looked for him in Washington &
[& I looked] more confidently [for] some advices
from him if he were too ill to come but nothing
came. While waiting [int] your office I [gave]
[stated the embarrasments] under which his
failure to communicate had cause me &
asked that Mr Kimball should try when]
explained to Mr K the anxiety & embarrassment which came to me & have been [of it]
[going?] were not replied to and when arrangements [made] [being him made & not]
not being worked up to I was not advised of it & not told what to expect, and I requested
him to urge Mr. Wisedell not to neglect correspondence or the use of the
telegraph, to which he cheerfully assented.anxiety. I wrote appointing a day [when I]
a week in advance when I asked him to be
prepared with certain matters, [one of which
at least did not require an hour's work]
then long over due

[anything occured [thriving] throwing business
for which I was responsible
out, of, regular & agreed upon courses
[that I should be] to have me promptly advised of it. To
this he cheerfully [& without reserve]
assented.]
[In Washington I was asked for
information & advice required for the
Secy of the Interior's with regard to
instructions of the Committee of the Senate
[which] for which it was necessary
to refer to drawings.]
In Washington it was necessary to refer
to drawings which Mr. Wisedell had. I
telegraphed asking that if [Mr Wisedell] he should
not be well enough to come that they might
be sent. Mr Kimball replied (I think) that he cd
not find them & I have heard nothing since.irregularities

[pressed to be in your office - I telegraphed [for them]
asking if Mr Wisdell could wire [being] them that they might
be sent.  [Dont spare telegraphing] [They have not been] [A discrepancy] Mr Kimball telegraphed that he could not find them]
What appeared to be a discrepancy between two [drawings]
plans prepared by Mr Wisedell prevented the [ordering of]
advance of certain work [ordered] undertaken.  I [assured] advised the Engineer
that Mr Wisedell would soon come on (as Mr Kimball
had give me renewed reason to believe) & the matter had better
wait his adjustment. [Week before last the Engineer wrote
me that in order to allow other contracts to be
contract work to proceed, he, [would] could wait no
longer for a drawing which Mr. Wisedell had promised
me a letter which I sent you - with
[On returning to] On my return I [stopped to see you but]
came again to your office but neither of you were in. [went yesterday] I have
not since [been afraid] [heard the I have engaged] I heard nothing of Mr Ws recovery or return to business. [whether Mr Wisedells
confinement at home was protracted] [I had not heard of his return to business.
illness formed illness was not held.] [& it has been perhaps was unnatural to imagine or] [a relative he recved.]
[It was perhaps reasonable to assume as hd I I heard nothing
[nothing was heard] [from him no answer to repeated requests or in respect to
[numerous occasions for [his advising me] information that he seemed disabled.]
[That Mr Kimball expected & thus he remained disabled]
Just before last I recvd a letter from the Engineer which
[I made the occasion of a letter to you making the simple request that for me would me Mr Kimball should go one or day. [I think that this [it] was under the circumstances an occasion] [was going] [I have heard no]
[with any understanding with Mr. Kimball]. X I have had no [reply]
reply to it nor has the enclosure been delivered to me as I
asked that it should be. I have since written tor telegraphed
almost daily to one or both of you. The Engineer informs me
that he has done so. The only [assure] notice taken of my letter has been in the form
of his brief postal cards & a telegram. The telegram [was unintell] being
unintelligible & [I asked] I at once telegraphed for explanation but
have had none - the only information being upon the business by postal card is that upon
the day it was written Mr Wisedell was at Springfield. [I assume from
this that - This is the first information I have had of his return to] I should have had
[*[I think it was ] [X that I should do so & (was my duty under the circumstances)]*]
[*I think it was under the circumstances compulsory on me to do so.*][Against this sum is to be placed
the opinion of the old architect
that under his plan the building
could be completed for $]
The building [as] as thus proposed to be built [by
the Commissioner] has much
[more available [?]] more useful
space, is better lighted, is
[is more convenient] in many
ways more convenient and
is far more substantially built the the alternative would be
[built than that proposed to be substituted]. To a large extent it
substitutes stone for [plaster] iron,
brick and plaster, and iron for
wood and [is] it dispenses wholly 
with shams.

It was early in the winter
promised that bids with security [[?] [?]
secured would be were ready
and] would be presented for
completing the building according to the old plan. [?]
This promise has not been
made good. The former
architect has expressed the
opinion that under the old
plans and with the old
methods the building may be
completed for $--
In this estimate the cost of
taking down [the work] so much of
the building as was last year added
is not included.It is new



1881
VI  US Capitol
"Summer House"

reference to it in 
letter C. E. Norton 
to FLO June 2/81

now filed IV Scenic (Niagara)Engineer's Office, U.S. Capitol Grounds,
Washington, D.C., 12th Jany. 1882.

The Hon. G.G. Vest,
Dear Sir;
In the press copy of a statement of estimated outlays
for works in contemplation on the Capitol
[Grounds presented to the] Grounds prepared [in 1878]
under my direction in 1878 for the information of the
Committee on Public Buildings & Grounds [I found] the following
item is found. [appears in the press copy]
Shelter & Summer Houses for same [west grounds] 15,000--
This was intended to cover all structures for the purpose stated.
In the press copy of the usual annual estimate prepared under
my direction for 1880 & 1881, the following [item appears].
For Summer House                                                          3000--
Adding a proportionate amount from the
sum [named] allowed in the same estimate for Contingencies  300--
The estimate for summer house [?]                               3300--
which sum the Engineer tells me has been little if at a all exceeded in the active expenditures
[which is about exactly the sum actually expended.]
It has been my custom any winter to call on  the Chairman and
[of the Committee and offer to] suggest that an oppor-It has been my custom every winter to
call on the Chairman and offer to come
before the Committees on Public Buildings and
Grounds to furnish any information that would
be desirable in regard to the work in progress & in new but for several years it has been
thought unnecessary that I should do so.  Hearings
soon after the summer hours may begin & while work upon
[through Senator [?] had [?] to the
Summer House] it was suspended for the winter [?] Senator Salisbury had
raised the question which you addressed
to me when before the Joint Committee the
other day, [even after the Summer House was begun] I at once called on him and [I]
satisfied him that there had been nothing culpable
on my part in the course taken.  He was not convinced
that the result would be satisfactory but [work was desirable but he 
said he], having had the plan explained to him,  was willing that the work should be completed.,
[upon plans which I then exhibited to him
consisting] and consented to hold his judgment in reserve until
there had been three years growth of the intended
plantings.  [Had I known that you had stood with him
I should also have called on you.] Had I known of your
objections I should have asked of you the opportunity of making a similar
explanation [& had asked of you the same favor] & also the same favor of delaying final consideration of the design until it had been more fully realized.
Hon. G.G. Vest
12 Janry. 1882

[I have made it a rule to call at least once
during every session of Congress [and] as the Chairman
[of the Committee on Public Buildings and Grounds]
and suggest that I should be [given] allowed an opportunity
[to make appear before] to give the Committees of
Public Buildings & Grounds [to give] any information
or explanation that might be desirable but
for some years past it has been thought unnecessary
that I should do so.][*ffT*]

Detroit, 21st July 1882.

My Dear Eidlitz;
As my pamphlet 
may work to the prejudice 
of the architects of the 
Capitol, I hereby disconnect
myself from them 
& this is my resignation 
and relinquishment of 
all that may be due 
me under arrangements 
heretofore existing.

Sincerely Yours
Fredk Law OlmstedTo. L. Eidlitz
21 Feb 1882

KIMBALL 7 WISEDELL,
Architects,
NO. 824 BROADWAY.
New York, Apr 18th 1882
F.L. Olmsted Esq.
Dear Sir,
We enclose a
blueprint of a rough drawing
we have of a flag staff. It is
hardly fit to be sent out of the
office but it may be of 
service to you--We are not
able tonight to send estimates
as we were disappointed
in our [?] not coming [in].
We shall endeavor tomorrow
to have same and take it up.
Very truly yours,
Kimball & WisedellFlagstaff
Capitol
Washington

Flag Staff
Capitol.Post Office, House of Representatives
Washington, D.C. Nov 27, 1882
Mr. Brown
Will you please
furnish me some
clippings of flowers
for my wife to do
Sherwood80,54
8
7254



[*IV U.S. Capitol.      B 1sts*]

Washington 24th July 1882.

F.L.O. to JCO.

Dear John:-

Trees and bushes here are in superb 
condition.  Turf faulty.  Our appropriation 
seems likely to pass as I had arranged when 
here last, giving a chance to being on the 
tarrace.  Wisedell's footing will, I think, 
remain unchanged.  No engineer is allowed.  
There can be no adequate superintendence, 
The mistake which Wisedell reported in the 
setting of the entrance piers was not corrected 
and is now fixed. 

I enclose note from Octavia and copy 
of my reply.  Charge telegram 40cts.  

I shall probably stay through the week 
and I have an engagement holding me in New York 
a day before going to Bridgeport.  Shall probably 
get salary tomorrow and will send it.  
[*noted TK*]

You should inspect North Easton this 
week, arranging to meet Watson.  It strikes 
me that it would be better before finishing 
the tower to build the lawn wall and fill between, 
as, this done, it might suggest an improvement 
in the parapet.  This lawn wall should 
be very much battered and it will be better to 
provide some openings through it for the growth 
of plants, rooting through, and more or less 
spreading up the face. 

EIdlitz observed that neither the Hecker 
girl nor his had ever taken care of themselves 
or gone out without a capable older friend.  Mr 
Hecker did not think it prudent to leave them to 
the care of the conductor between New York and 
Boston so sent to Boston for a young gentleman 
to come and escort them. 

Affectionately,
F.L.O.[*Kimball*]
[*U S Cap?*]

KIMBALL & WISEDELL,
ARCHITECTS
NO. 824 BROADWAY.
New York, July 31st 1882
My dear Mr Olmsted
According to promise I beg to
forward you such copies of the drawings
as we were able to make although not
as clear as desired on account of cloudy
sky they will enable you to see the
whole of the work tomorrow I hope to
be able to forward better. -- Will
you please write a telegraph how
you desire me to act, whether to
continue on obtaining estimates or
not as by your morning telegram I 
feel somewhat in doubt.
Yours very truly
Thomas Wisedell

F.L. Olmsted Esq
P.T.O.If you [?] proceed I could have
details Real size commenced so that
no delay may occur after the letting
of the Contracts--
W

VI--U.S. Capitol              B--1st

Washington, 4th Aug. 1882.
Dear Jno--
I am under the usual embarrassment
from Wisedell. He promised to
send plans for construction Sunday night--
In an extreme case Monday. They dont
come yet and I have had no reply to
daily telegrams asking what I am to
expect. I cant leave here till I see
the business launched. Clark who
is out for a few hours to day is going
to beach house, going to Sandwich, Monday
morning. I shall not be able to
leave before, even if he mails tonight.
I hope that you will have got out and
reported plans &c. for the [?] Easton coping,
& set them at work.
The thermo is not as high today but
the air remains a vapor bath and I am
soaking wet.
Affectly
F.L.O.
VI--US Capitol        B--1st

Washington, 7th Aug. 1882.
Monday A.M.
Dear Mary-
Clark left this morning. Shortly
afterwards comes a letter from Kimball
saying Wisedell remains in Yonkers too
ill to attend to any business. I shall
take the draughtsman here with me
to New York by 1.30 train this afternoon
and hope with Kimball's
aid to get the specifications fixed
up tomorrow.
You cannot imagine how irritating
this delay has been. It is
of the greatest urgency to get this
most important work done during
the short interval between this &
[?] and after the specifications
are prepared three weeks will be
taken before contracts can be made 
Wisedell promised this work to be
ready a week ago Friday last
& when I expressed anxiety lest he
might fail, laughed & said it mustbe "child's play" for him.
I dont know whether I shall 
return here before coming home but
think I shall come again in a
fortnight any how.
There has been no let up
in the weather; wind holds east,
light and damp, and this
I think is the hottest day of the
year. I have been gaining
rather than loosing ground for
three days,
Afftly.
VI US Capitol
Wherever, Northern Ohio, 1st Sep. 1882 .

Dear John - Engine having broken down 
I take the opportunity to write, chiefly to guard 
against your forgetting to send the section map. 

I found some confusion at Washington.
Middleton, an elderly mason who reported to 
me with his shirt sleeves rolled up & in his
apron, would have been glad to back out. 
His partners young working men were too eager 
and prevaricated. It took me twenty four hours 
to find clearly the hitch, which was that Sisson 
was afraid to trust them. I arranged that 
payments should be made thrgh Mr Clark directly 
to [him] Sisson, and finally, last night, got the 
contract signed. Sisson pledged to promptness,
one of the partners started for Quincy. 
another for Richmond (granite) and the foundations actually 
going in. Clark arrived in the evening
and two hours afterwards I took a B & O. train 
for Pittsburg. Shall reach Detroit probably at 
one o'ck tonight, Friday - 

Remember the naming of the B. Park Com's 
nursery trees -  Have you heard from the landlady?I forgot to say
that Mr Wisedell himself
thought he can stand
the Firing Wright and
Expresser reports.

KIMBALL & WISEDELL,
ARCHITECTS
No. 824 BROADWAY,
[*Kimball & Wisedell*]

New York Dec 13, 1882
F. L. Olmsted Esq
Dear Sir.
     In the absence
of Mr Wisedell I will enclose
the figures required. It was
an absolute impossibility to
prepare a printed bill of
quantities: I have been working
constantly since you were here
night & day with assistance
but could not accomplish it.
The estimate as enclosed
will be the same as what
would or will appear in the
bill of quantities only we classify
the gross amount into two items
marble & [granite?] and [masonry?] which
should have [much?] "other work" as
the wood floors, plaster, piping &c [sewers?]under this heading.  Steam &
gas piping & water is not included.
For lack of time tonight we do
not follow each section around
the building but merely to the
Center line  then double the
quantity.
     We also send
estimates of bronze railing.
Which Mr W [Clesind?] forwarded.
     I am sorry more time
could not have been expended
on a proper bill of quantities.
To do it the English method
would have taken six weeks
altogether representing Each
piece of stone where they do not
resemble each other near enough
to come under the same head.
     I hope the estimate will answer
your purpose at the present time.
Truly Yours
F H Kimball
[for?] K & W.Brookline. 30 Dec. 1882
The Hon. E.H. Rollins;
Chm of the Joint Committee
of Congress, on Buildings and Grounds.
The work designated in the
Act of Congress the permanent approach
to the North Wing of the Capitol has
been advanced as far as it was possible
to obtain the [marble
required] materials for it from the quarry
in the short interval between the
last & the present sessions [of Congress
and sufficiently to meet all
requirements of convenience and avoid
the annoyance to Senators of disordered
ground.]The Honorable E. H. Rollins
Chairman of the Joint Committee
of Congress on Public
Buildings and Grounds
Sir,
The north terrace approach
to the Capitol has been built

[authorized, which, except as [?] 
finish of some of the exterior parts,
was completed just in time for the
first meeting of the Senate.  Had both approaches
been undertaken neither could have been completed.]

It was necessary to the [security]
stability of the structure that [the masonry]
[should be extended] at the angle 
of the two lines of marble retaining
wall, [half built from lack of marble] the masonry should be somewhat
extended to the westward.
We have carried it no further than
[was absolutely essential to this]
was strictly essential to [stability this purpose]
this purpose would have [been] left a raw, ragged
and unseemly piece of work [at]
[a] in conspicuously close connection with
the walls of the Capitol.  Enough of the marble 
work upon the line of the north
retaining wall of the terrace [is] has
been laid to avoid this result, the main
wall being carried out at the bottom to the first
vertical line of the design.Hearing from you that a Senator has
questioned if this part of the work was
authorized I beg to say that I have presumed
the action of Congress in both
houses to represent the intention of your
joint Committee and this intention to
have proceeded from the [recommendation] considerations
which I had the honor to lay before it
early in the last session.  The Committee
will remember that I then exhibited
a [large] series of plans, elevations
and other illustrations of the earlier
[and that I advised a sufficient
appropriation for completing
[those portions.] These portions of it
which would supersede the then
existing makeshift plank walks,
of which the early drawing which
had then been prepared with 
reference to the north]


terrace and advised that the work
should be begun at the
points since designated
"permanent approaches to
the north and south rings".
The reason for this advice
was that a moderate 
appropriation would enable
so much of the plan
to be carried to completion
in the intervals of the session
of Congress as would [surf]

[the term "permanent approaches"
was used to]The term "permanent approaches" 
was used to [emphasize this 
purpose in] indicate the immediate 
advantage to be thus 
gained and



supercede the existing makeshift 
plank-walks of which 
complaint had been made 
by Senators and leave the 
ground free from encumbrance 
[[and disorder.  I was informed 
that the Committee approved 
and adopted my suggestions] 
and disorder.  Neither then nor 
at any other time has the suggestion 
been made to me 
that the]and disorder.  Later I aided
the Chairman of the House Committee
on Public Buildings and
Grounds in presenting the [mat]
proposition to the House Committee in
appropriations, using the [same]
drawings, arguments and estimates
which had been prepared
for your joint Committee.
Upon this presentation the terms of the act
finally adopted by Congress were adopted as
a memorandum.  At
the close of the session and
a few hours [just] before the vote was taken
in the Senate fixing the appropriation,
I also explained the proposition,
using the same drawings, 
and the same argument to several members of
the Appropriation Committee of the Senate.and disorder.  I afterwards 
at the request of the Chairman 
of the House Committee on Public 
Buildings and Grounds [presented 
the matter] went with him


In neither of the drawings used 
[on these occasions] nor in any 
argument or representation made 
by me on these occasions was  
[a clean division made] 
[were the permanent approaches 
shown as [detached works] 
independent works detached 
[from the terrace] from other parts 
of the terrace, nor was the question 
ever raised or suggested 
that they might be so.]the permanent approaches shown 
[as detached works] or considered as constructions 
detached from other parts of the terrace.  
The only drawing made 
especially to illustrate the proposition 
the adoption of which I advised distinctly presented that 
portion of the work now called in 
question.  This drawing now hangs in the walls of the 
House Committee on Buildings and Grounds.  [The] I had no reason 
to suppose, nor did it ever occur 
to me, that any number of Congress 
[could consider this] 


[The only one of these drawings upon 
[to] which the term "permanent approach" 
was [applied] used was 
one showing distinctly that part 
of the work now called in question]In the only drawing illustrative
specifically of the [permanent approach]
proposition of the permanent
approach

gress, using all [?] the
drawings were exhibited could
suppose that the construction ordered would be advisable 
[permanent approaches would be appropriate constructions]
except as a part of
the entire plan of the terrace. 
[which] This as a whole had been 
years before adopted by Congress
and [which] the entire
work under my direction had
from the outset been accommodated
to it.

All of the essential facts thus
recalled being [stated one] of record with your
Committee or within the personal
knowledge of its members, I submit
1st that I had no reason to doubt
that the action of Congress in [ordering
the permanent approaches]providing for the "permanent approaches"
was intended to permit the
turning of the angle and the construction
of so much of the [wall]
lawn [?] of the wall of the terrace
west of the angle as has since been built.
2d.  That if found not be authorized
under a strict construction
of the terms of the act, the 
ordering of this slight work in excess
of specific authority was
a proper excercise of professional
discretion on the part of its directors.

[Under the circumstances it is 
respectfully submitted that the 
ordering of the work in question
the entire expenditure being will
within the limit contemplated by
Congress, was within the proper
field of discretion of the director.
Congress was a proper excercise of
professional discretion.]

I take this occasion to observe
that the stone, brick, concrete and
marble with thus being hewn [execute]
done under this first appropriation [of 1882]
for the terrace exhibits the quality & character
[of most of the work required for] of nearly all
of the work intended [of the proposed terrace].  The cost [Its cost] 
of this portion of the work
has been within the estimated amount
and a new estimate has been made
for the entire work upon the basis of prices
thus experienced, all determined the result of which 
tallies closely with the [but falls slightly below that]
presentation to your committee [in 1874] before
the adoption of the design by Congress in 1874.is about 6 percent of the entire 
amount of 


The cost of advancing the terrace 
along the entire North [front] 
face of the Capitol, a distance of 
250 feet, and of providing within 
[it eighteen large] it an addition 
of eighteen large rooms to 
the basement accommodations of 
the Capitol will be $80,000.  
at the prices they established. The cost of the entire terrace 
and stair cases with an addition 
[of 90 rooms from] to the accommodations of the Capitol of 90 rooms 
of the average dimensions of the 
present Committee rooms will 
be $800,000.[4?]
Racemosus in connection with the evergreen plants
at Biltmore, especially along the water-side, as
it would harmonize well with the evergreen
bullrush, and other reedy plants.  It is offered at
$12.50 per 100 (size ?) by A. Leroy.
Note.
L. Leroy offers Hedera helix seedings 3 years old
once transplanted at $6 and $7 per 1000. 
Green tea plants can be obtained from A. Leroy
at 24 cents each.  Croux advertises Acanthus [Iat?].
in three varieties at 1 and 2 francs each retail.
Note.
No one with whom we have conferred has ever heard
of Mahonia aspen, except as a Nurseryman's
variety of Mahonia aquifolium, and André frankly
said that he believed us to be mistaken in
supposing it to be found in the Rocky Mts.
otherwise then as occasional part of M. aq.
Note
With reference to Chicago I note that Croux
advertises Rheum cobbeanum as "A novelty of
great merit.   having very large leaves and rosy
flowers" price 1 francs to 3 francs apiece. 
Note.
Hippophae rhamnoides would give a pleasing
variety in color if used on the shore plantations
at Chicago.  Offered by A. Leroy transplanted
hedge plants at $6.25 per 1000.
Note
Various kinds of Tamarisk, are offered by 
A. Leroy at $5.00 per 1000
Hydrangea paniculata grandiflora is offeredIn neither of the drawings used, nor in any argument or representation made
by me on these occasions, were the permanent approaches shown, or considered, as
constructions detached from other parts of the terrace. The only drawing made
 especially to illustrate the proposition, the adoption of which I advised, distinctly 
presented that portion of the work called in question. This drawing now hangs on
the walls of the House Committee on Public Buildings and Grounds. I had no
reason to suppose, nor did it ever occur to me, that any member of Congress, among
all to whom the drawings were exhibited, could suppose that the construction
ordered would be advisable except as a part of the entire plan of the terrace. This, 
as a whole, had years before been adopted by Congress, and the entire work under
my direction had from the outset been accommodated to it.
All of the essential facts thus recalled being of record with your Committee, or
within the personal knowledge of its members, I do not think that the slight amount
of work that has been done incidentally to the construction of what is, strictly
speaking, the "approach" to the Capitol from the north, the object being as stated, 
will be regarded as unwarrantable.
I take this occasion to observe that the stone, brick, concrete and marble work
that has been done under this first appropriation for the terrace, exhibits the quality
and character of nearly all of the work intended. The cost has been within the
estimated amount, and a new estimate has been made for the entire work upon the
basis of prices thus experimentally determined, the result of which tallies closely
with that presented to your Committee before the adoption of the design by
Congress in 1874. At these prices, the cost of advancing the terrace along the
entire north face of the Capitol, a distance of 250 feet, and of providing within
it an addition of 18 large rooms to the basement accommodations of the Capitol,
will be $80,000; the cost of the entire terrace and stairways, with an addition to
the accommodations of the Capitol of 90 rooms, of the average dimensions of the
present Committee rooms, will be $800,000.
Very respectfully yours,
Frederick Law Olmsted,
Landscape Architect
30th December, 1882.The above plan shows the enlargement of the basement room of the Capitol to be gained through the construction of the terrace.  The additional 
space is I,400 feet long by 60 feet wide, divided into rooms opening from a central corridor.  Ten of these correspond in form and dimensions with the 
best of the present upper committee rooms, each having two or three windows looking upon the existing courts in the same manner as those of the 
architect's office in the present basement.  These court-yards are to be made attractive winter gardens.  (The rooms in question are marked A on the plan, 
which differs from that lately submitted to the committee, in accordance with suggestions made by some of the members.  A small perspective at the top of 
the next page shows the character of the rooms.  The walls are I4 feet high to the spring of the arch).  The other rooms shown are expected to be 
used (I) for the storage of coal and other materials now within the walls of the Capitol; (2) for the keeping, with convenient arrangements of access 
and reference, of the archives and documents, now stored in bulk and inaccessible in rooms within the walls of the Capitol, and every year rapidly 
accumulating; (3) for the temporary deposit of current documents of Congress, sorting, folding, packing and other working purposes; (4) for extraordinary 
committee and clerks' rooms when needed.  These rooms will be fire-proof, dry and may be gas-lighted and steam-heated at pleasure.  They will have 
day-light and be ventilated through the construction to be shown on the next page, and will also be furnished with deck-lights.  Of the class of rooms 
thus described there are 78, but any number of them may be thrown into one by archways in the walls; disconnected, they vary from 20 to 44 feet 
in length and from I6 to 24 feet in breadth.  Most of them will resemble the present basement committee rooms.  The plan of this floor provides for 
a sub-way, by which coal, ashes, and all goods not desirable to be passed through the upper entrances, may be conveyed underground to or from a 
postern in the government work-yard on South B street.  It also provides for an enlargement of the present boiler-rooms.   The above plan shows the esplanade or deck of the terrace.  It is to be in two parts, the division running midway between the outer walls of the present 
building and the outer walls of the proposed new work.  The inner one of these two parts is to be level with the foot of the several short flights of steps 
opening from the porticos, the outer one four feet lower.  The two levels are to be connected by flights of steps opposite those from the porticos.  (The 
arrangement will be most readily understood from the small section on the right.)  In line with these lower flights, and following the division between the 
two levels, there is to be a channel eight feet wide and four feet deep, the bottom of it on the lower level, the top a little higher than the upper.  (See section 
on the right.)  This is to be filled with soil and planted and decorated in the Italian manner of gardening, consistently with the architectural style of the Capitol.  
Sufficient openings are to be made through the outer wall of this terrace garden for lighting and ventilation the corridor below.  by thus setting the outer part 
of the terrace at a lower level than the inner part, its parapet will not harmfully obstruct views from or toward the building, while it is believed that the 
architectural effect to result will be in all other respects fitting and satisfactory.

   The committee is asked to consider :

   That it is more than twenty years since the problem of a suitable treatment of the northern, western and southern bases of the Capitol was first forced 
upon Congress ; that the present plan has been prepared under special orders of Congress as a solution of it ; that it is five years since it was presented and 
adopted by Congress as a satisfactory solution ; that while other plans have from time to time been devised for occupying the ground, none of them have met 
with favor, none have contemplated as small an outlay ; none would involve as little destruction of work already done, and none have been designed with a 
single eye to support, sustain and augment the primary architectural motive of the Capitol ; finally, that the merit neither of what has been obtained in the 
Capitol, nor upon its grounds, can be realized until the gap between the two is harmoniously closed, as it is designed to be by the proposed construction.

   And in view of these considerations the question whether it is sound economy to further delay entering upon the work is respectfully submitted.

FREDERICK LAW OLMSTED, Landscape Architect.VI US Capitol
VI
A 2820
1882
The Hon. E. H. Rollins,
Chairman of the Joint Committee of Congress on Public Buildings and Grounds.
Sir: Illustrations are here presented for the more convenient consideration by your Committee of the plan of an architectural terrace, designed to
supersede the present earth-work covering the unfinished base of the Capitol.
The perspective on this page is taken from the point which would be occupied by a man coming up the hill in a carriage, where the first unobstructed
view of the building would be had. It is at this point that this obscuration of the main walls by the new construction would be greatest.
A few yards farther to the eastward there would be none. As this effect of the terrace is the only objection raised to the plan, poles with cross-bars
at top have been set in the ground south of the building, showing the height and positions of its upper line; and in passing to or from the Capitol on
the House side, the Committee may readily see what the objection amounts to. The granite base-course of the present marble walls of the Capitol
will be found in looking from the road within the grounds to appear a little above the cross-bars. What remains to be seen of this granite above the
line, will in the end be obscured by the foliage to be introduced upon the terrace, and the effect of the arrangement will be to re-establish a granite
base on the natural surface of the ground, all the visible structures above being of marble. A better understanding of the facts may be had from the
small section on the right of the third page.[*VI -- U.S. Capitol*] 
[*B-1sts*] 

[*1882?*] 

Washington 
Tuesday -- 

Dear John, 
Neither the Cap. Ground 
map nor the new frame for 
posters is yet here.  They may 
as well remain now till I return 
But the map must be ready.  
I sent you the Architects report.  
Mr Clark had apparently neglected 
my requests about proofs & had 
on his own responsibility left out 
the short trees table.  I have been
with him to the P. Printers thismorning & [think] find that the material 
is in type & will be reprinted in 
document with the Presidents messages 
as a part of the Interior report.  
This printing will probably be done 
in about three weeks or less.  As 
soon as I return I will send complete 
corrected copy & hope to have it 
followed.  Please you go carefully 
on & make clear distinct corrections 
of all errors.  There are many in 
the scientific names.  & have the map 
ready.  I see no early prospect 
of getting away, but may tomorrow.  

Afftly 
F. L. O.[*VI*]
[*U.S. Capital    PR. 1882*]

Edward Clark Esq. Architect of the Capitol.

Progress of Construction
Sir.  The principal construction-works 
upon the Capitol Ground during the fiscal 
year ending July 1st 1882 have been the 
following:- (1) The Southeast entrance way 
which is now complete except in respect 
to lighting arrangements. (2) The entrance to 
the southern system of [road] wheel ways and walks from 
Maryland Avenue; the [s????] of work of which 
is complete. (3) Wall and coping on the East 
and South border [of the Ground] by which 
[the enclosure of the its] the enclosure of the Ground is completed.  
(4) Walls, coping, stairs and drainage 
arrangements of the direct approach 
from Maryland Avenue [entrance] to the 
west entrance of the Capitol.  (5) Foundation 
work of the parapet wall bounding the 
platform between the base of the Capitol 
and the central [lawn] field of turf on the west.  (6) Twenty 
four thousand square feet of plain and about 
ten thousand [square feet] of "mosaic" artificial

[*2*]
stone flagging.  

The ground adjoining the several new 
[?] of masonry, heretofore but temporarily 
prepared, has been broken up, regraded with 
an improved modelling of the surface and sodded 
or planted. 

[Some of the trees need][between 1872 and 1878. It presents specemins
of mixed forestry divided by
straight and winding roads emphasized
by formal lines of trees [and]
with decorated carrefours.
The second, centering on the Smithsonian
Building, was planted under
the direction of [the] Downing in 1851
with a view to a composition of natural
scenery appropriate to the purlieu
of a natural seat of learning and as
the first step to a more extended
scheme which calamitously came to
naught upon his untimely death the
following year. Though denied for many
years all proper care and still showing
many marks of [its] former ill-usage the
visitor will even now find in it better illustrations
of many trees and more tree-beauty
both through grouping and individually
than in any other plantations
[near Washing] [private or public near
Washington.] A monument, raised by]




3
[*Shortcomings.
The Terrace.*]

Shortcomings - The Terrace.

In reviewing the present [effect] aspect of the
Capitol Ground it should be borne
in mind that the area within a distance
of from a hundred to a hundred
and fifty feet [adjoining] of the Capitol
including the slopes beyond the high earthworks, remains as it was temporarilly
[left] prepared twenty years ago, pending the
design of a general plan for the improvement
of the Ground. The more
nearly the improvement [of the ground]
beyond this space is brought to realize
its local intention the more
unsuitable, shabby and disorderly
must the central [ground] and more conspicuous ground appear,
so that [seen as a whole,] the better
the work done the less satisfactory
is the [general aspect of the premises.] result as a whole.
The anomaly will be more and
more marked until the terrace
and western staircase shall
have been completed and the adjoining4
ground graded and finished
in adaptation to them.
The present Joint Committee of Public
Buildings and Grounds have reviewed
the plans for these structures
adopted seven years ago by Congress
on the recommendation of
their predecessors and it is [believed] understood
that all its members are convinced
that they should be carried out
without needless delay. Until Congress
adopts this conclusion the Capitol
and [its] the Capitol Grounds must both
[appear] be seen at disadvantage and produce
impressions unjust to the
general design incorporating them.
[in which they are incorporated.]
For the convenience of the Committee
a brief statement with
illustrative sketches of the plan of the
terrace was prepared last winter
a reproduction of which will be
appended.


5
The construction of the terrace will involve
no breaking up of ground or
of roads or walks already finished
and [will be of] need cause no inconvenience
to the ordinary business of the Capitol.6
cial stone flagging.
[The ground adjoining the several
new works of masonry has been broken
up; regraded with improved modeling
of the surface and sodded or planted.]

[*Progress of Plantations*]
Progress of Plantations.
At the beginning of the year the effect
of a summer of extraordinary heat and
drought followed by a winter of unprecedented
cold was still [noticeable in] marked in the condition of
the plantations. With the exception of a
few [smooth] broad-leaved evergreens they have
since recovered and are now growing vigorously
[with great vigor.] The death of [a few] certain
shrubs the present year has been traced
to gas leaks and it is [[?]] to be hoped
that the time is near, when through the
introduction of a proved economical
[and efficient system] method of electric lighting
the [constant] danger attending the
use of illuminating gas in planted grounds may be [wholly] avoided.
The four lines of Plane trees on the
west of the Capitol are growing
very thriftily but are checked and
given lop-sided forms by the interference
of what remain of the old
avenue trees they are designed to
supercede. This will be obvious on
comparing [them] the crowded trees with others of their
kind not so affected. The injury
is not as yet so great that it may
not be remedied [in a few years] but
the final removal of the remaining
old trees, nearly all of which are
plainly diseased or dilapidated, should
not be delayed more than another
year. The temporary loss of shade
will soon be amply compensated [very
soon] by the over-arching of the new
trees.Index to [Plantations] Trees.

Three living [some] trees on the Ground
unknown to many visitors from distant
parts of the Country, [at the suggestion of]
[upon the suggestion] upon a suggestion
kindly made by members of Congress, [several
hundred] labels have been placed before
several hundred, giving their names,
and a map, index and references prepared
for the use of strangers.  To further foster, meet
and lead on [any spirit of inquiry]
to more useful fields and disposition of
inquiry that might occur [on] upon the Grounds
in respect to sylviculture, especially with
those having little knowledge of the subject, an 
explanatory account of the plantations has
been added with [suggestion] advice as
to opportunities of fuller information.
Copies of all are appended.
Respectfully,
Frederick Law Olmsted.[between 1872 and 1878. It presents illustrations
of mixed forestry divided by straight
and by very winding roads the courses of
[which an] both being emphasized by formal lines of
trees and decorated carrefours.
The Western Chapter, opening from
the Smithsonian Building, was planted
under the direction of Downing in 1851.]

9
Index to Trees
about the Capitol,
with [a map and] advice
to visitors interested in them.
1882.

The young growth about the Capitol
prompts many questions which are gratifying
as evidence of a growing preparation
of the public mind to give economic
forestry [something of its due] [importance in]
its due national importance and to intelligent
[by consider] by regard the choice of trees
and methods of using them as means
of public health and comfort; [of] the decoration of
forms and the improvement of scenery.
[As to citizens of all parts of the Country
and visitors from abroad arriving in
Washington, the Capitol is usually the
[first object of interest, the] first and a 
more continuous object of interest than]between 1872 and 1878.

10
As to citizens from all parts and to
visitors from abroad, the Capitol is [usually] often
the first and a more continuous
attraction than any [point] other in Washington,
its small plantations evidently receive a
degree of attention more than corresponding
to their value as an [exhibition of] exposition of
sylviculture. It is for this reason desired that such
information about them as [is common] [may be commonly
wanted should be] is more commonly wanted may be made readily attainable
and that misleading impressions of the purposes they are meant [to ser] [should be]
to serve may be guarded against.

The advantages [of] offered in Washington for the study and enjoyment of Trees.

The climate of Washington is subject to great 
extremes of heat and cold, dampness and
dryness, but for some not clearly established
reasons, it seems to admit of an unusual
range of vegetation and allows of the
growth in a more or less vigorous or depressed way of
numerous woody plants not known far
to the  northward and of some not common
to the southward except at considerable
elevations. It is hospitable, also11
to a larger number of foreign trees than
that of most other parts of the Country.
The Capitol Ground is not planted
with the least purpose to show what is
possible in [that respect] either respect; the
aim in the larger part of it has been to
avoid exciting interest through the exhibition
of strange qualities in trees and especially of such
as might be suggestive of unnatural or
forced conditions or stratagems of horticulture,
nor have the trees to be found in it been
given position with a view to conspicuously presenting
their individual qualities, rather for reasons
that will be later given, it has been designed to obscure them.
But as visitors to the Capitol often find [within the
ground] trees that [are new] happen to be
new to them and about which they wish to be
better informed, labels have been placed before several
hundred, giving names under which inquiries may be made.
With these as memoranda and such other facilities as are supplied
[herewith] by the map and tables herewith, it is hoped that
the Capitol Ground may serve to many as an introduction
to such better opportunities as are offered in the city,
there being few trees within it of which more instructive because
older examples are not to [have] be seen nearby and better
exhibited because planted with the design of exhibition.

12
12
[better informed, labels have been placed
before several hundred, giving names
under which inquiries may be made.
With these as memoranda it is hoped
that visitors may be led to seek such
better opportunities of observation [that] as may
be found near at hand, there being few
sorts of trees on the Ground of which
better, because older, examples [may]
are not to be seen, nearby and better exhibited
because planted with a view to exhibition.]
[The several public grounds at the
Capitol]
The several government plantations
in which they may be looked for
are unfortunately divided, fragmentary,
and each by itself, incomprehensive and incomplete;
thus marking the result of sporadic and
unsustained legislative efforts and even of efforts,
in some cases a little at cross-purposes
one with another. Yet taken
together and with the natural
[advantages] growths accidentally available13
to supplement them, [they] these plantations promise to be
of no little value with respect to the
long course of patient study upon which
[our] the infant science of [national] American forestry
has yet to be [built] brought up. Young as they
are, no where else in the country can
as wide a range of trees be found
equally advanced, and this is of the
more natural value because  .X.  nowhere
else in the country are [there] as full, accurate,
precise and scientifically collated
local note or logical records accesible,
as in Washington.
Of the Government [Grounds] plantations
referred to, that of the National Botanic
Garden adjoins the Capitol in the
west. Its germ was a collection

.X.  of the close dependence of the science of forestry
upon that of meteorology and the fact that

14
he [obtained] had.
[One of them, the National Botanic
Garden adjoins the Capitol on the
west. Its germ was a collection]
made by the Wilke's Exploring [Exploring]
Expedition in 1842, of which
but one hardy tree remains alive -
an [infirm] invalid Jujube, (Zisiphus). The
site [is] was and is unsuitable and
inadequate for the purpose and the
curator has had [much] and still has to contend
with obstacles of many kinds,
the deadliest being [general public] a lack of intelligent public interest
[indifference to the essential
and] in the scientific object of a botanic
garden and [excessive] an excess of interest in
its [[?]] adventitious and recreative incidents.
Among the exposed trees visitors
from the North may be glad to have their
attention called to [the following:] those named below  .X.15
footnote

.X.  The Bull Bay or great evergreen magnolia
of the South; (magnolia grandiflora);
the Pecan, (Carya olivaeformis); the
Whahoo elm, (Ulmus alata); the
black maple (Acer sacarinum nigra);
a variety of the Sugar Maple growing
better in the South than the common
northern kind; [a] good sized specemins
of the Colchican Maple;
(Acer Colchicum) from Armenia;
the Pride of China, the common
[street and plantation] avenue tree
of the Cotton states (Melia azederach);
the Asiatic nettle tree,
(Celtis orientalis); the Cedar of Leb-
[?] Cedar of

footnote continued

anese Yews, (Taxus baccata, stricta, adpressa
and Podocarpus Japonica); the chinese Water Pine
[of China] (Glyptostrobus Sinensis); Sapindus
marginata and Sterculia platifolia.15
footnote

.X.  The Bull Bay or great evergreen magnolia
of the South; (magnolia grandiflora);
the Pecan, (Carya olivaeformis); the
Whahoo elm, (Ulmus alata); the
black maple (Acer sacarinum nigra);
a variety of the Sugar Maple growing
better in the South than the common
northern kind; [a] good sized specemins
of the Colchican Maple;
(Acer Colchicum) from Armenia;
the Pride of China, the common
[street and plantation] avenue tree
of the Cotton states (Melia azederach);
the Asiatic nettle tree,
(Celtis orientalis); the Cedar of Lebanon
(Cedrus Lebani) the [Atlantic Cedar] Cedar of
Mount Atlas (C. Atlantica) the [California Cedar] Cedar of
the Sierras (Librocedrus decurrens);
the Jujube or Christ's thorn, (Ziziphus
vulgaris) [of which, according
to old legend, the crown of the Crucifiction
was made]; European and Jap16
The Botanic Garden is managed directly
by Congress through its Library Committees.  .X.
¶ Half a mile westward [of it] is another national
collection, managed by the Agricultural
Bureau of the Department of the
Interior. It includes several hundred
sorts of hardy trees and shrubs most of which
were planted between 1865 and 1870.
The trees cannot yet, of course, [yet] begin to exhibit
their mature character but they
are well-grown for their age and generally
of excellent promise, forming
the most [important] instructive collection in the
country. As the first [earnest] step
toward a national forestry system it
must be regretted that the Bureau
could not have been allowed more
space and means. In twenty years, if
thrifty, the trees will in many cases be
crowding one another. An official list of the trees

can be procured. The Curator is William Samders.

ft. note
.X.  "A library filled with volumes written by Nature, and which
those who have learned the language of Nature can read and enjoy with a satisfaction
as much keener than anything that man-made books can give as it is nearer
to the source of all truth". L. F. Ward, Bulletin of the National Museum, No. 22.

17
The ground between the Botanic and the
Agricultural Collections [have been primarilly]
originally [laid out] planned under the administration
of the elder President Adams as a public
promenade, under the name of "The Mall", but
[never planted] neglected and its design
[gradually forgotten] gradually lost sight
of, is now primarilly divided with two
widely different plantations. That nearest
the Capitol was laid out and planted
between 1872 and 1878 by [Colonel} Orvill
Babcock, [a military engineer] Colonel of Military Engineers. It consists
of small sections of mixed forestry
framed within formal lines of standard
trees divided [by straight streets and]
in one direction by straight streets retained
from the earlier design, and in
the other by roads of formal curvature
and with decorated carrefours. The
[ground] surface is generally low, the soil better
than that of other grounds; the trees
[well] at present well-cared for, and except
a few conifers, the removal of
which will be a gain, of promising appearance.

They are under the office of the Commissioner of Buildings attached
to the Executive Mansion; at present Colonel . . Rockwell, U. S. A.18
Most of Colonel Babcock's work is what [is some-]
has been called the Smithsonian Park but,
though originating in the impulse to which
the founding of the Institution of that name
gave rise, and contiguous to its building
it has unfortunately never been under the
same enlightened management. It should
have special and reverent attention as representing
the only essay strictly speaking yet
made under government in landscape gardening,
for though the aim of the Capitol
ground planting is more than decorative,
it is necessarilly too prim and [fussy] niggling and
is too much controlled by engineering
and architectural considerations to be
entitled to that bull rank. [It] This of the Smithsonian was the last,
and the only important public work of Downing
who was not only a master of the art but [a]
distinctly a man of genius of whom his country should be always proud. It was designed as a composition
of natural scenery appropriate to be
associated with a national seat of learning
and was regarded by him as the first step in a
scheme of planting to be extended [to the P][beria. But in the colonization of trees,
eccentricities and unexpected results
are so frequent that it is evident that
the source of the subject is yet in its
infancy and in few matters of national
economy is so much likely to be
gained by such long continued trials
and records of observation as govern[ment]ments
alone can command.
The great advance in meteorological
science under the present government
arrangements for observation
record and consolidation of detached
labors at Washington promises great
advantages to the science of sylviculture]

19
in one connected design to the White House
and the Potomac. Upon [his] Downing's untimely death
in 1852 the larger design was suspended,
gradually lost sight of, and the ground
[in view] has since been in considerable
part laid out, [un] under successive Acts of Congress, by parcels, with a variety
of local motives, none of which have
as yet been fully realized.
[As to the ground] ¶ As to that actually planted
under Downing's instructions, those to whom
he gave them were soon dropped off; [being]
[?] and [some] ill-usage followed; it is
in parts crowded and stuffy and in others
run-down and poverty-struck but [nowhere]
in no other planted ground near Washington
is there, or is there any promise to be,
any tree-beauty to compare with what
[it now offers.] has been already attained in it.  [In] ¶ Within its shades government
has allowed a modest memorial
of the artist to be placed by private
subscription. Nowhere will a monument
be found [to] commemorating a riper fruit of the republic;
[to] more honorable aspirations or
devotion to a higher standard of patriotic duty.20
[Government has allowed a modest
memorial of Downing to be placed by
private subscription within it. In all the
land there is no monument standing for
a riper fruit of republican life, for more
honorable aspirations or a higher standard
of patriotic duty.]
Near the Agricultural Ground
there is an interesting collection of
hardy aquatic plants in the enclosure
of the [National] Government Fish Commission,
and in adjoining[The Botanic Garden is controlled by the
Library Committee of Congress. [through the
Mr Smith, the Curator.]
Half a mile westward is another national
collection under the Agricultural
Bureau]

21
adjoining buildings of the Smithsonian
Institute and [Government] national museum,
there are collections of woods and
of tree products, and of fossil woods
and plants.
The public streets of Washington
have been planted mainly between
1870 and 1880 with upwards of fifty
thousand (5600) trees of twenty different
sorts. A list is appended showing
when rows of each [sort] may be
observed. Though a considerable
proportion are of quick-growing
kinds to which most experts object
as too straggling in mature
habit; too fragile; liable to accidents
and short-lived, and
though the amount and quality of soil provided
is seldom adequate to a
long-continued vigorous growth
the work on the whole is the best22
and most instructive example of town-planting
to be seen on the Continent.
If well-followed up in the care of the trees
the result will [soon] give Washington
[a distinctive character] a distinction among the
capitol towns of the world, [and a
a character] a distinctive, original, representative and historic; national;
[?] of the soil; congenial with the climate; in unquestionable
good taste, indisputably excellent and
admirable; little of [all] which [will anyone claim to] can be claimed of
[be true of] the results of [all] outlays [otherwise] most outlays that have been made
by government for the improvement of the city.[Questions from transient visitors in regard
to the young growth of the Capitol Ground
often manifest the growing interest of the
country both in economic forestry and in
living trees as means of health, comfort,
the decoration of buildings, grounds and
streets, and the improvement of scenery.
Though subject to great extremes of heat
and cold, dampness and dryness, the climate
of Washington [is found to] admits of
the unprotected growth of numerous woody
plants not known far to the northward and
of some not to be found, except at considerable
elevations [far to the] Southward.
The Capital Ground is not planned to
show what is possible in this respect nor
[to show in the least] with the least purpose to demonstrate the sylvan resources
of the country. It is not planted
with a view to the exhibition of the
distinctive individual qualities of the
trees which it contains; rather, for reas-]

23
[will give it a distinctive character among
the Capitol towns of the world, and a]
representative and historic [character,] natural,
[?] of the soil, [natural] and fitting to
the climate, in unquestionable good
taste, excellent and admirable.]
The work thus far has been done with [severe] ever
over-strained economy under the [direct] unbroken superintendence
[continuously] of three professional tree-masters:
William R. Smith, Curator of the Botanic
Garden; William Saunders of the
Agricultural Tree Collection and John Saul,
who, under Downing, [planted] thirty years
ago planted the Smithsonian Park, of
either of whom information may be obtained
and whom thanks [may be given]
for a service to the nation as yet [far] too
little appreciated may [be] will be given.24
In the woods of natural growth about
Washington many sorts of trees may be
found [grow] that are not indiginous in
the extreme north. Among them there is the
Liquidambar or Sweet Gum, (L. styraciflua)
the Willow Oak, (Quercus Phellos), the Laurel
Oak (Quercus imbricaria) the Persimmon,
(biospyros virginiana) the American Holly
(Ilex apaca), the Black Walnut (Juglans nigra)
the Swamp Magnolia (M. glauca), the Red
Birch (Betula nigra) extremely graceful [in
damp] as commonly observed on water banks); and the Catalpa (C
bignoides.
The first two may be found in low
grounds, often in association with the Tupelo
or Sour Gum (Nyssa multiflora) the White
Ash (Fraxinus Americana); the Scarlet Maple,
(Acer rubrum), the scarlet oak (Quercus coccinea)
the Sassafras (S. officinale)
which, a shrub in the far North, is here a
stout and lofty tree richly furnished, [and]
often excelling all other deciduous trees in
picturesqueness, and the Dogwood, (Cornus
Florida) growing with a dense spreading head[Most of the Babcock plantings are those
commonly known as the Smithsonian Ground
but though [found] started under the enlightened
impulse which attended the initiation
of [that] the Institution of that name,
they have never been connected with it in management.
The planting of this ground in 1851 was
the last work of the lamented Downing
the highest authority which the nation
has had on Landscape Gardening. It
was designed by him as a composition of
natural scenery appropriate to a national
seat of learning & as the first step in a scheme [to]
of landscape work to extend westwardly to
the White House and the Potomac. Upon his untimely death
the following year the larger design was suspended, gradually
lost sight of and the ground has since been in considerable
part laid out in fragments and with a variety
of local motives, none as yet fully realized. Downing's
representative was soon dismissed and his plantings
neglected and ill-used]

25
to a height of thirty feet. These with other
cornells, several of the shrubby Sumachs (Rhus)
the climbing sumach (R. toxicodendron);
Bittersweet (Celastrus scandens) and Virginia
Creeper, (Ampelopsis Virg.) [climbing]
growing over, as is their habit, and half hiding the
Red Cedar (Juniperus Virga.) all being remarkable
for their autumnal tints and
each in a different way form combi-

.X. insert
Of trees to which Europeans may like to have
their attention directed, in addition to those already
named, there are growing wild and of frequent occurence,
two American elms; cherry (Serotina), different
examples of which vary much but often a remarkably
elegant & graceful tree near Washington;
[the] Beech (Fagus Americana) a neater & more delicate tree than the
European; Tulip (Liriodendron tulipifera), growing to great height and in
perfection; Chestnut (Castanea vulgaris Americana),
always when well grown
a noble tree but when, early in June in bloom,
the most glorious object of our woods; [eigteen] hickories, (Carya) [and]
Butternut (Juglans cinerea) and
eighteen (indigenous) sorts of oak, at the head of
which the White Oak, (Q alba), is under favorable conditions, fully as
noble a monarch of the forest as its European [?], the sacred oak of the [Druids],[built up. They, at least, present advantages
which can be equalled at no other
point in the country for the study of
trees and these will be the greater because
of the local advantages of Washington in meteorological
science.
Of the Government arrangements referred
to the National Botanic Garden adjoins
the Capitol on the West. Its]

25
to a height of thirty feet. These with other
cornells, several of the shrubby Sumachs (Rhus)
the climbing sumach (R. toxicodendron);
Bittersweet (Celastrus scandens) and Virginia
Creeper, (Ampelopsis Virg.) [climbing]
growing over, as is their habit, and half hiding the
Red Cedar (Juniperus Virga) all being remarkable
for their autumnal tints and
each in a different way, form combinations
novel and striking to the Northern
eye. In a favorable season, near the
full of the leaf, [foreigners] visitors from overseas will nowhere
find a more gorgeous sylvan spectacle
than is thus presented within a mile
of the city, and this without a stroke of intentional
aid from any human hand. [It] The effect
is often [aided] augmented by lower growths [than any]
than any that have been named as of huckleberries and brambles,
by bright fruits and haws, golden and
purple blooms and broad quiet bodies
of neutral tinted foliage.  .X.26
druids, (Q. pedunculata) Yet, perhaps [in] for
broad landscape value[s], theirs are of more
consequence and of these some from their more
feminine beauty reward close close observation
also. The lush scenery about Washington
[owes its beauty] depends for its character chiefly [to] on oaks. The
Capitol Ground has [several] good examples
of [these] several, of which the best were
grown from acorns upon it or in the adjoining
Botanic Gardena height occasionally of thirty feet or
more with graceful forms and light
and delicate spray ad leafage. The Chinqapin
or dwarf chestnut also grows naturally about Washington.
Other small trees and bushes, all more
or less planted now in Europe but which
foreigners may like to see in their native wild
state, and which are common [near
Washington], are the Shadbush (Amelanchier
Canadensis) a small tree of great refinement

27
[?] of the leaf.
A number of shrubs known
only as garden plants in the
north grow wild often in profusion
about Washington, the
most striking and beautiful both
in leaf and flower being the Virginia
Fringe Tree. (Chionanthus Virginica)
This with the Silver Bell ( and the Virgilia or
Yellow wood (Cladastris tinctoria)
may often be seen in the form of
small trees, the last two attaining[two tree] terred, fragmentary, incomprehensive,
[and] incomplete in scope, and perhaps
a little at cross-purposes one with
another. Yet taken together, and with
the natural advantages accidentally[in question to make it desirable that
correct information about them should
be readily accesible, [It] and that misleading
impressions should be guarded against.]

[Though subject to great extremes of
heat and cold, dampness and dryness,
the climate of Washington, more than
might be expected, admits of the unprotected
growth of numerous [native] woody plants
not known far to the northward and of
some seldom seen, except at considerable
elevations, Southward. The Capitol
Ground is not planned to show what is
possible in this respect nor with the least
purpose to illustrate the sylvan resources of
the country. Trees are not dispersed on it
with a view to share their distinctive qualities,
rather for reasons to be later indicated
to obscure them. But as visitors
often find within it trees that are new
to them and about which they wish to be]

29
often lend a charm to situations that
would [be] otherwise be the reverse of attractive.
Such situations are unfortunately
common near Washington because mainly
[of the fact that] so much of the land
has been ravaged of its natural fertility by
[a barbarous] a reckless agriculture, [that] and because whenever
cleared of its primeval vegetation it does
not, as it might further north, become
naturally clothed by any form of [close
knit] [knit ground] turf or other close [not] knitting,
surface-[?] growth and is in
consequence subject to be kept raw and
gullied by the action of frost and rains,
[and that it has not been proved experimentally
to be as profitable on [?]
under these circumstances when not
nicely cultivated or dressed by some
form of vegetation it often appears to
[northerners] persons accustomed to more
northern landscapes, dreary & repulsive]30
under these circumstances, whatever
charm there might otherwise be in the
landscapes about Washington is often
wholly destroyed, [by to those coming from
turfy regions] by bare ground conditions of
repulsive rawness and shabbiness. In [the
greater part] most parts of Europe not naturally so [luxuriant
to] turfy, such land would be
systematically planted with trees. Here,
[with the higher] with the relatively high
market value of money for various other
forms of commercial enterprise, such a
case of it has not yet been proved profitable.
It may be observed also that
no plants, [are here indigenous, nor have] like heather, gorse, or broom, are indigenous
[any been introduced], such as, in Europe,
often give a picturesque and at times
exceedingly lovely aspect to sterile situations
otherwise of the most forbidding character,
[such as brown heather and gorse or broom].
It is not certain that these plants might not be
naturalized, (a few plants of broom

31
of several years happy growth,
may be seen [flourishing] on the Capitol
Ground) It is highly probable that the
American ally of the heather called Waxwoaden (genista tinctoria) found in a few
localities to the northward, if introduced
would serve this purpose. But at present,
[wild] woody vines of various sorts are chiefly
of value in this respect, and of this an
admirable illustration may be observed
in Mr Saul's nursery, where a large extent
of [rain] caving banks on the border
of a small stream, occasionally becoming
a torrent, have been made within a
few years, the most agreeable feature
of the local scenery, the few plants of Japanese {sub-evergreen)
honeysuckle, (Lonicera brachipoda) originally set having spread
with the greatest profusion, so that in [their blooming season, the air]
[J] June there are acres of ground over which the air is loaded with [their de]
the delicious fragrance of their bloom. A characteristic exhibition  of
the [same] plant may be seen south of the summer house on the Capitol
[lawn] Ground and near it a variety of plants adapted to dress
[attractively] rough ground unfit for turf. Among the best of these
is the St John's wort (Hypericum) of which several species are
native of the region about Washington.32
[a height occasionally of above thirty
feet with [very] graceful forms and
light and delicate spray and leafage.]
The Red Cedar ([Virginia Juniper)] Juniprus Virginiana),
near Washington generally assumes
a form so different from that [more]
common in many parts of the North
that it may pass unrecognized,
and an effect distinctly recalling [Turners] one much beloved
by Turner and seen in most of his
landscapes of Southern Europe, [may
be seen] sometimes occurs (on the hills north of the Reform
School on the eastern road 18
Bladensburgh Spa, for example),
the horizontal strata of the Italian
Stone Pine being represented by the
Yellow Pine (P. Mitis) and the
fastigiate Cypress by the [sport] form
referred to of the Red Cedar.38
Two short excursions may be recommended
to the visitor wishing
to cursorilly observe the general character
of the natural forest of the region.
One through the romantic woods of Rock Creek,
(best made on foot or in the saddle),
taking by the way the Government
'property of the Soldiers' Home, which
contains many introduced coniferous
trees of about thirty years'
growth. The other by rowing on the
Potomac above [George] West Washington,
when boats for the purpose can be had. This offers
a pleasing illustration of closely
wooded American river side scenery,
large in general culture and mass
with considerable picturesqueness of
detail under the shadow of moderately well-grown
forest trees. It is much resorted
to and somewhat misused and
damaged by boating and pic-nic
parties. It is hard that [the interests of posterity.]34
in the interest of posterity [the national]
these two sylvan treasures of the Capital,
[the declivi] the wooded declivities of the
upper Potomac and the vistas of Rock Creek,
cannot in some way be protected against
the destructiveness [of Commercial improvement]
which the hope of the smallest private pecuniary
profit is liable at any moment
to bring upon them. Samples may be
already found of the hateful desert to
[what may be] which may be thus quickly substituted. [for them.]

[*[Of the government arrangements referred 
to, the Natural Botanic Garden adjoins 
the Capitol on the West]*]It is nearly ninety years since the
site of the Capitol was determined
and more than eighty since Congress
began its sessions upon it. Several
efforts for the improvement of the adjoining
ground have in the meantime been made before the present but no
plan has been steadily pursued for
many successive years and little of
the work has ever been of a character
adapted to secure permanently satisfactory
[results. But one well-grown
tree now stands on the ground that is
more than fifty years of age from [the
sort had]] results. There is but
one tree on the ground that approaches
a condition of tree-majesty and
beside it probably not one of fifty years
growth from the seed. It may be added
that [records of] [exist] many hundred trees
are know to have been planted
[elsewhere in the city for ornamental]

35
[These suggestions have] The scope of [this] the foregoing advise has been limited
to trees and woody plants. Those who
wish to have a more extended list
[of them] of what may be looked for, as well as all interested [either] whether
as botanists or as lovers of nature [or of
floral beauty in a further local enjoyment] in local annual & perennial plants
[of local wild-plants] will find the best of
[an admirable general most excellent] aid in a government
publication, prepared by Mr Lester J.
Ward of the Smithsonian Institution;
(Guide to the Flora of Washington: Bulletin
No. 22 of the National Museum).
Of the banks of the Potomac, above referred
to Mr Ward says: "The beauty of their
natural flower gardens in the months
of April and May is unequalled in my
experience." Elsewhere he [records]
states that fifty several sorts of plants
may usually be found in flower before the
first of April. (p. 31) that is to say before
in the latitude of Albany the [snow
is often] ground is thus [free of the
winters wholly] unlocked from ice.36
Historical Notes of the Capitol Ground.

The intelligent [stranger] visitor, reflecting that
it is nearly ninety years since the site of
the Capitol was determined and more
than eighty since Congress first held its
sessions upon it will need some explanation
of its present sylvan juvenility.
Since building work first began upon
it, several efforts for the improvements of the ground
have been made before the present but no
plan for the purpose has long been adhered
to and little of the work done has been adapted
to secure lastingly satisfactory results.
There is, mainly in consequence of a wavering
policy and make-shift, temporizing operations,
but one tree on the Ground that yet
approaches a condition of tree-majesty and
beside it probably not one of fifty years
growth from the seed - not a dozen of
ten years healthy, thrifty and unmutilated
growth. It may be added that many
hundred trees are known to have been planted

37
for ornamental purposes elsewhere in
the city, early in the Century, of
which not one remains alive, nor
is it probably that one was ever allowed
[to] a full development of its proper
beauty. Yet, to show what easily might have been, if due [?]
and painstaking had been used,
[there stands] it is enough that one planted tree of even
an earlier date may be pointed to, which well-chosen,
well-placed, well planted and
well-guarded is yet in the full vigor of its
growth.
The following notes, chiefly
upon the past misfortunes of the [Capitol
Ground], have been largely based
on conversations with the late
[Doctor J. B. Blake] venerable Doctor
J. B. Blake, sometime Commissioner
of Public Grounds.1548.0

[The site of the Capitol was determined
nearly ninety years ago and Congress has
been meeting upon it more than eighty etc
years. There have been several undertakings
for the improvement of the adjoining
ground, all more or less make-shift
[in important particulars] and time-serving
in important particulars.]

38
[The following notes, mainly
historical and largely [gained] from
conversations with the late Doctor
J. B. Blake, [formerly] sometime Commissioner
of Public Grounds, will account
for certain present conditions of the
Capitol Ground.]

When government, near the close of
the last century, took possession of the
site of the Capitol it was [a barren
place] a sterile [ground] place, partly
overgrown with "scrub oak". The
soil was described (by Oliver Wolcot)
as an "exceedingly stiff" clay "becoming
dust in dry and mortar in
rainy weather". For a number of
years the ground about the Capitol
was treated as a Common, roads
crossing it in all directions and39
a map of the period indicates an intention to have it permanently
[from a map of the period it was apparently
contemplated to treat it permanently]
as [open] an open public
place. The year before his death
Washington built the brick house,
still standing prominently but injured
by recent additions, a little
to the north of the Capitol - 'the Hilman House". A picture
showing this house with a
young plantation of trees [(all since removed) between]
(none now living) between it and the Capitol, together with
an autograph letter about it from
Washington to his business agent,
may be seen in the Toner division of
[the National Library. It is a tradition & is probable
that Washington at this time planted
near the Capitol a row, (double row or cluster), of elm
trees of which [one remains in full] the single tree above referred, it alone
[vigor and of very stately form] remains. It stands opposite the present Senate portico
[opposite the Senate portico.] of the Capitol. Another,
much decayed, was broken
down in a storm a few years 
ago and a third was removed.]

40
the National Library. The first local improvement
ordered by Congress after occupying
the rooms partially prepared for
it in the incomplete Capitol was a
walk to be made between it and Georgetown
(West Washington) where, there being
yet no comfortable houses nearer, most of the
members lodged. The Capitol and the
house of Washington had both been
built upon the assumption that the
future city, which Washington avoided
calling by his own name [always -] continuing to use the [designating
it] original designation of "The Federal City", would arise
on the higher ground to the eastward.
Both were expected to stand [in its outskirts]
as far as practicable in its outskirts,
backing upon the turbid
creek with swampy borders which
then flowed along the base of [the] Capitol hill.
[near the entrance to the present
Capitol Ground from Pennsylvania
Avenue West.] When this stream was
in freshet it was not fordable and
members of Congress were often41
compelled to hitch their riding horses on
the further side and cross it [as fallen
trees or a foot-bridge] first, on fallen trees,
afterwards on a foot-bridge. [The bac]
There was an older swamp where the Botanic Garden is now and [where] extending
far along [what is now the site of Penn-] the site of Pennsylvania
Avenue. [and a heavy oak wood] Tall woods on its border
shut off the view [of most] of the ground
south and west of it. This wood, said to contain
many noble trees, was [cut] felled by permission
of Congress for fire-wood as a measure
of economy some time after the War of 1812.There remained for more than twenty years
afterward a thick and full forest, intersected
by morrases, cutting off the view [from]
to the westward and

42
[compelled to hitch their riding horses
on the further side and cross it on
a foot bridge.]
These circumstances may give a
little clue to the [view that] habit at the outset adopted and
[was since accepted never since]
of which Congress has now since
been wholly disembarrased, of regarding
the ground immediately to
the west of the Capitol as its back
yard and all in connection with it
as comparatively ignoble. With the
city on the West, [and] the transformation
of the creek and swamp and
the opening of the magnificent view
on that side it is incomparably
[the nobler side] the nobler front.
It is a tradition and is probably
that Washington, while building his
brick house, planted some [elm] trees
on the East side of the Capitol of
which the fine elm above referred
[to is the only one remaining.]43
to was one and [this] is the only one remaining.
Another of equal age but rotting
prematurely, probably from unskilful
or neglected pruning, [bl] was blown
down a few years ago, and a third
was removed in consequence of the
enlargement of the Capitol. The last
was a tree of graceful habit and
Mr Smith of the Botanic garden
has distributed through members of
Congress many rooted cuttings of
it to different parts of the country.
Some years after the death of
Washington a space of ground [has]
nearly half as large as the present
Ground was enclosed in connection
with the Capitol and a street
[laid out facing upon it upon the further side of which
the large brick building]

another much decayed44
laid out around it. The Washington elm
stands near where this bounding street
intersected another which formed the
northern approach to the Capitol and
on the opposite side to the north an
inn of some celebrity, long known
as "The Yellow Tavern" was built. This
was the dining place for members
still lodging at [Georgetown.] a distance.
Whatever improvement had been made
upon the original [Capitol Ground before]
Ground before the burning of the Capitol
in 1814 was probably then or
during the subsequent building operations
wholly laid waste, [except that]
the tree or four trees first planted
[escaped] alone escaping.
In 1825 another plan of [improve
the Ground] was adopted which was
[adhered to found sustained for]
sustained in the main for nearly
fifteen years during most of which
[period it was improved and main-]45
period John Foy had charge of the Ground and as
far as he was allowed pursued
[a consistent] the ends [[?] consistently.] had in view in its adoption consistently.
[His plan was that of an en-]
[The plan] It was that of an enlarged
form of the ordinary village dooryard
of the time: - flat rectangular - [of the time; -]
"grass-plats" bordered by rows
of trees, flower beds and gravel walks,
with a belt of closer planting on
the outside of all. So long as the trees
were saplings and the turf and flower
beds could be kept nicely it was pretty
and becoming. But [appropriations
were irregular] as the trees grew they
robbed and dried out the flower beds,
leaving hardly anything to flourish in
them but violets and periwinkle; [the
grass] weeds came in and the grass became
sparce and uneven; was much trucked
across and grew forlorn and untidy;
appropriations were irregular and
insufficient to restore it or supply proper
nourishment. Foy was superceded forit was in charge of one man, John
Foy. The

46
political reasons and his succesor had other
gardening conditions to gratify.
At this time, though, even some years
later, George Combe described the city as "a
straggling village [grown] reared in a drained
swamp", it had become clear that [the city]
it was not to grow up [to the mainly water]
[Each in] on the east front of the Capitol. John Quincy
Adams on retiring from the Presidency had
like Washington determined to build a town
house for himself in Washington and had
chosen to do so far to the West. Much other
private building had followed including
an large and excellent hotel and government
had undertaken several important
public buildings in the same quarter.
It was then determined to undertake
to make an addition (about seven acres) and considerable
improvement of the [Capitol premises as that
side] premises in the rear of the Capitol,
and this improvement led on without any
special Act of Congress to a gradual
change of motive in the management of
the old ground on the East, under the [guise]47
management of James Mayher who is described
by his friends as a jovial,
witty and boastful Irishman, owing
this appointment with personal friendship
of General Jackson.  .X
The soil at the foot of the hill

foot note
.X.  The following story is repeated from the best
authority. The President once sent for
Mayher and said: - "I am your friend,
Jimmy but I have often warned you
and this time I must turn you out."
"Why, what's the matter now, General?"
"I am told that you had a bad drunk
again yesterday." "Why, now, General,
[if all the bad stories thats told against] of every bad story thats told against
yourself was to be believed would it
be you who would be putting me in[political reasons and his succesor had [ambitions] other gardening
ambitions [of his own] to gratify.
At this time, (1837), the city had become
firmly established [in the] north west of the
Capitol; several important government
buildings had been undertaken and
three more excellent inns on that side.
[President] John Quincy Adams [had]
on retiring from the presidency had, like
Washington determined to build himself
a residence in Washington and had chosen
a site far to the west.
It was then determined to make a
considerable addition (about seven acres)
to the Capitol Ground on the back side
and this led to a [cer] certain revision
[as also to a certain] as well as to an increased neglect of the older
work, under the superintendency of
[James Mah] James Mayher]

48
[the hill] was much better than that
of the East ground but the trees planted
by Mayher were chiefly silver
poplars and silver maples, brittle
and short-lived. After doing more
or less injury to the more valuable
sorts planted with them they
have all now dissapeared  but
there remain of the planting of this
period several fine accidental
planes, scarlet maples, horse chestnuts
[and a single Holly,] a Pecan and a Holly. [though
the latter, now standing in the midst
of the open ground East of the Pennsylvania
Avenue entrance, may be of
earlier date.]

footnote continued
and putting me out?" He remained
with another warning.
49
¶ Smith of the "Washington elm" adjoining
the east court of the Capitol
there are a dozen long stemmed
trees, relicts of two circular plantations
[designed] introduced in the midst of Foy's largest grass plots by Mayher for
"barbecue groves" 

one probably for Democratic jollificating,
the other for Whig-jollifications.

These were also
largely of quick-growing trees closely
planted, poorly fed and never
properly thinned or pruned. Forty
years after their planting the larger
number of those remaining
alive were found feeble, top-heavy
and not one well-grown.
[Most other trees within the lines
of the present enclosure before the
enlargement of the Capitol in
1851 were removed to make way
for the new building operations or in
consequence of the changes [of the
changes] required in the grade of
the ground to adapt it to the new
work or, later, to the grading
done by the District government,]50
Foy had planted in his outer belts some
garden-like trees, very suitable to his
purpose; magnolias, tree boxes [and hol]
hollies and also some conifers mostly thujas it is believed but among
them there was at least one Cedar of Lebanon.51
[and periwinkle; the grass plots came
again to have the aspect of waste places
much tracked across and very untidy.
Some [have uncommon small]
garden-like trees had been planted
in the outer borders, magnolias, tree-boxes
and hollies, [some] a few conifers
also; among them at least one]
Cedar of Lebanon. [But] With
them however or subsequently more rapid-growing
deciduous trees unfortunately were also
planted and through neglect of [planting]
thinning, the effect of drip
and exhaustion of soil the choicer
sorts were nearly all smothered,
starved or sickened. A few
crippled hollies (Ilex opaca) only remain.
The violets and periwinkle (Vinca)
now on the ground are largely of
direct descent from those planted
by Foy.52
most other trees within the lines of the
present Capitol enclosure before the enlargement
of the Capitol in 1851 were removed
to make way for the new building
operations or in consequence of the changes
required in the grade of the ground
to adapt it to the new work, or, later,
to the grading [operations] done by
the district [Commissioners] government.53
of the adjoining streets. It was found
that the roots of most of the old
trees, after having grown out of
the small pits in which they were
planted had been unable to penetrate
the clay of their walls but
had pushed upwards and outwards,
spreading upon its surface
and within a thin stratum of
looser and darker material consisting
it is believed almost
entirely of street sweepings
which had at different times
been laid on as a top-dressing.
Though none were half-grown, nearly
all had the characteristics of old age,
many were rotten at the butt and
few were [sound] wholly sound.
The more thrifty and manageable
of them were moved to the out-skirts
of the ground in 1845, where,
under more favorable conditions, presently
to be stated, the larger part

54
[are now growing with renewed] now appear rejuvenated.
[vigor.] When moved they were
generally from eight to fifteen
inches in diameter of trunk.

Except under the barbecue trees
the entire ground east of the Capitol
and all that newly planted in
the west has been regraded. Near
the eastern boundary the old surface
was eight feet higher than
at present, the Capitol [manifestly]
standing at the foot of a long slope.
The designed grade having been attained
the ground was thorough-drained
with collared, cylindrical
tile and [then] trench[ed] planed and
subsoiled to a depth of two feet or more from
the present surface [(near the boundaries three feet)]. [It was then ridged] It was then ridged,
up and exposed to a winters
frost; dressed with oyster shall lime
and with swamp muck previously
treated with salt and lime; [the]55
then plowed, harrowed and rolled and plowed again.
The old surface soil was [then] laid upon this
improved subsoil with a sufficient
addition of the same poor sort drawn
from without the Ground to make the stratum
one foot (loose) in depth. With this
well pulverized a compost of stable
manure and prepared swamp muck
was mixed. It is still found to have
too much of the quality ascribed to
the original by Wolcot, quickly drying
very hard. It would seem, however,
to be wholesome and sufficiently
friable for the growth of the trees
planted; the death of all the few that
have failed being reasonably attributed to gas-leaks, severe
wounds or to extraordinary cold or
a severe attack of vermin before their
recovery from the shock of removal.
It is hoped that the more northern
trees may have been induced to
root so deeply as to suffer less

56
than they usually do in Washington
during periods of extreme heat and
drought, and that in view of the thorough
preparation and large outlay
for the purpose that the methods of administration
will hereafter be more
continuously favorable than they [have] had
[hitherto] been for the[ir attaining] longevity
of the trees and their proper full stature
of their families.57
The present design.
Questions why, in the present scheme, certain trees and
plants have been taken for the
Capitol Ground and others neglected,
and only contain
dispositions of trees have been made
and others, offering obvious advantages,
in [certain] some respects, avoided,
may be best answered in a
general way by a relation of the
leading motives of the design,
some of which it is evident do not
spontaneously occur to many inquirers.
[The design is]
The Ground is, in design, part
of the Capitol but in all respects
subsidiary to the control structure.
The primary motives of its design
are therefore that, first, of convenience
of business of, and with Congress
and the Supreme Court, and,
second that of supporting and presenting
to advantage a great national58
national monument.
The problem of convenience to be
met in the plan of the Ground lay
in the requirement to supply ready
access to the different entrances to
the building from the twenty one streets
by which the boundary of the ground
was to be reached from different
parts of the city. The number of
foot and of carriage [ways entering] entrances
[the Ground] is forty six and as the
entire space to be crossed between
these [entrances] and the open court
and the terrace upon which the
doors of the Capitol open is but
forty six acres in extent it [must] had
necessarilly to [be cut up] to be cut
up to a degree which put ordinary
landscape gardening ideals of
breadth and repose of surface, applicable
to a park or private residence
grounds, in a great degree
out of the question. The difficulty59
was complicated by the hill-side position
of the building, compelling
circuitous courses to be taken as a
means of avoiding over-steep grades
in the carriage approaches from
the west.  .X.
That the Capitol in its several
more admirable aspects might be
happily presented to view it was
necessary that the plantations
should be so disposed as to leave
numerous clear spaces between
the central and the center parts
of the Ground and desirable
that these openings or vistas should
be disturbed as little as practicable
by roads or other constructions.
At the same time the summer climate
of Washington and the glaring
whiteness of the great central mass
made a general umbrageousness
of character desirable in the Ground
and a base, bald, unfurnished

insert
.X.  Some may ask whether under these circumstances a strictly
architectural design would not have had advantages). It is enough
to say that for several reasons no such plan, if understood, would have been
adaptable to Congress or the public taste of the period. Public taste strangely admits topiary
work to be mixed up with natural forms of vegetation and applauds a profusion
of artificial features in what passes for natural gardening,
Nevertheless it condemns even in situations when they would be most
pardonable, the grander & more essential aims of [the] ancient gardening.60
unfinished quality to be as much as
possible guarded against.
It was thus to be considered that
customs are established that bring
at intervals great processions and
ceremonious assemblies into the
ground, and that attending these
vast bodies of people without order
or discipline surge through it
[them] in a manner that overrules
all ordinary guardianship
and that with increasing population
and increasing means of
communication such throngs are
likely to grow larger and more
sweeping. This difficulty was
increased by the long established
habit of regarding the Capitol
Ground as a Common to be crossed
or occupied in any part, as
suited individual convenience.
These considerations not only

61
called for
multiplied routes of passage but a
degree of amplitude in pavements
and flagging unfortunate with
reference to the desired general
effect of umbrageousness and verdancy.
They also compelled a resort
to many expedients for inoffensively
restraining the movements
of visitors in certain directions
and leading them easily in others.
If these several more or less
conflicting requirements of design
are fairly weighed it will be seen
that no attempt to reconcile them
or compromise between them could
be made that did not involve
[a disjointedness in the plantations
of the Capitol unfortunate from
a general landscape gardening
point of view. It will also be
sure that, pending the growth of][*62*] 

a disjointedness in the plantations 
unfavorable to the general aspect of 
dignity and composure desirable 
to be associated with so stately a 
building.  Hence where it remained 
permissable to plant trees at all 
to have elected and arranged them 
with a view to exhibit marked 
individual qualities, would, as tending 
to increase such disjointedness, have 
been an unwise policy.  The better 
motive was to select and place trees 
with a view to their growing together 
in groups in which their individual 
qualities would gradually 
merge harmoniously; to avoid [as 
far as possible] a distinct definition 
of these groups, [seeming to] and to aim to 
bring them into broader compositions 
and to [[?]] secure as much effect 
of depth and distance as possible 
by screening or obscuring minor objects, 
especially in the outer part of the63
the Ground.
In the undergrowth, however, a
degree of variety, cheerfulness and vivacity
to be gained by moderate contrasts
of form and color [has been] might be studied. Hence
not only the amount but the range of shrubbery
[and low headed trees] used has been considerable.
So much so that it must be
admitted that at present it holds attention too
much. As beyond a certain point the
landscape effect of trees increases with
age many times faster than that of bushes
the general effect will soon be much
quicker. The chief reason for what
would otherwise be an excessive proportion
of shrubs and low growth is the necessity
of mitigating the effect of the large
extent of dead-ground in the roads and
walks and adjoining streets, otherwise
to be looked down upon from the Capitol
and to be seen in views across
the ground.

64
Two minor motives influencing
the choice and disposition of the undergrowth
may be noted.
The summer climate of Washington
being unfavorable to turf, in situations
where owing to the number of trees
growing in them or for other reasons the
care of turf would be difficult, the
aim has been to cover the ground
with foliage of creepers and of low
perrenials, likely to retain greenness
during droughts and requiring little
labor to [be kept] keep tidy. These low
plantings also serve the purpose of
connecting and merging the higher
foliage with the verdure of the lawns,
and of increasing apparent perspective distances.
[The shrubbery has not been selected
with reference to blooming qualities
but to its adaptation to its place
in size and form when full-grown,
and to the qualities of its foliage.]65
The shrubbery has been selected
from regard to its fitness in foliage
qualities, form and size when grown,
to serve general purposes in the several
localities in which it is placed.
Its blooming qualities have been regarded
as of subordinate consequence
but simple and natural
bloom has been generally preferred
to the more large, striking
and showy quality of flowers resulting
from the art of the florist,
the design being always not to make
a lounging place or hold attention
to details.
[The number of broad-leafed,
(laurel-like) evergreens that can be
permanently trusted to flourish
in the climate of Washington is extremely
limited. The fact that the
Ground is more visited in winter
than in summer][*66*] 

No spruces or other large-growing 
coniferous trees have been included 
in the recent planting [of the 
Ground] because, if placed in the central 
parts they would obstruct views of 
the building; if placed on the outer 
parts they would disturb the general 
quiet and unobtrusive foliage 
effects desired and lessen the apparent 
depth of the local sylvan scene.  
A few clusters of junipers, yews and 
thujas, (retinosperas) of established 
hardiness will be found at points 
where they cannot interrupt views toward 
the Capitol and where they will be obscured 
and over-looked in views from it.  

The number of broad-leafed (laurel-like) 
evergreens that can be 
trusted to flourish in the climate of 
Washington is unfortunately limited.  
The fact that the Ground is 
67
more visited in winter than in summer
makes this the more regrettable. For this
reason a considerable number of sorts have
been introduced the permanent success
of which is not thought fully assured.
All such are of low growth in this climate
and should they fail to meet expectations
may be withdrawn without
permanent injury to the designed summer landscape
character.  .X.

The Capitol Ground is declared by
Act of Congress to be formed to serve
the quiet and dignity of the Capitol
and to prevent the occurence near it
of such disturbances as are incident
to the ordinary use of public streets
and places". Incidentally to this purpose,
however, it is much used as a public
park; especially during the hot season
when Congress is not in session.

insert
.X.  The Evergreen Thorn ([Cha] Cragaegus pyracantha), the Oregon Grape (Berberis aquifolium)
the Cotoneaster (C. mycrophylla) and the [Azalea] Chinese evergreen Azalea (A. Amoena)
have each passed without injury though several severe seasons, and promise to be of the highest
value for the landscape purposes for which they are used. The [thr] three first are already to be seen in profusion & the
highest health. 68
The need to provide seats in which people
could rest for a moment in passing up
the Capitol Hill from Pennsylvania Avenue,
which is the point of entrance for
most, and the need of a place in which
children could obtain [a drink] water,
[not] being apparent, and as the necessary
extent of accomodation in these respects
would otherwise cause an unseemly
obstruction of the walks or become
too conspicuous a feature of the
scenery, a summer house was designed
with a view to the following advantages.
It is entered by a few steps from three
[diffent] different lines of walk; it contains
separate seats for twenty five persons
protected under all circumstances from
sun and ordinary summer showers; it
allows six children to take water from
the fountain at once; it is very airy,
the softest breeze passing freely through it.
[It is well lighted in all parts. The seats are
so dispersed that]69
The seats are so disposed, as, though shaded,
to be well-lighted and to [each come under] be under constant
inspection of the passing, watchman and the
public through an opposite arch-way.
The house is closed at nightfall and in
winter. [With] These precautions [ladies have used] have enabled ladies to
use it in large numbers free from the
annoyances which often deter them
from entering sheltered resting places
in parks. Standing on slopeing ground
the floor is kept at the lower level and
the walls and roof [as low as practicable]
of brick and tile as low as practicable
[so at] so that, at a short distance, the
eye ranges over them. That they may
be more inconspicuous the walls are
banked about with natural rock
and slopes of specially prepared soils
favorable to the growth of various
creepers and rock-plants by which,
except to one standing opposite the
entrance arches and turning to observe
them, the entire structure will

70
be wholly lost to view. From within the walls
there opens on the up-hill side, a cool,
dark, craggy runnell of rapid-flowing
water, supplied from the over-flow of
the fountain at the west entrance to
the Capitol. The spray of this [little] rivulet
with that from the waste-water of
the drinking-fountain maintains a
moisture of the air favorable to the
growth of ferns and mosses upon the
inner rock-work. What is chiefly hoped
for, however, is that under the conditions
provided a [thoroughly luxuriant
and healthy] growth of ivy may have
been secured, gradually reproducing
the characteristic exquisite beauty
of this evergreen in its native
haunts. Many good examples of it, [may]
though not of its best estate, may be
seen about Washington. The visitor
interested is particularly advised to
see these in the cemetery at West
Washington. (Georgetown)71
The trees about the summer house
though hardy and suited to the circumstances
will all have a somewhat
quaint or exotic aspect. They include
the Willow oak; the Cedrella,
the Oleaster; two sorts of Uralias
and the Golden Catalpa.

72
[and the Golden Catalpa.]

The vistas or general lines of view to
which all the planting and all the
structures upon the ground have
been fitted may be more fully stated.
Disregarding shrubbery to be kept
below the plane of sight toward the
Capitol, openings are maintained
through which views of the central
portico and the dome will be had
from the outer parts of the Ground
directly in their front upon opposite
sides, and diagonal perspective
views of the entire facades from
four directions. In six other directions
from the centre of the structure
only low-headed trees are planted
so that in each case the Capitol
may be seen rising above
banks of foliage from points several
[miles distant.]73
several miles distant.
It is unnecessary to say that, by
the same disposition of the plantations,
views outwardly from the Capitol are
kept open but attention may be
called to the beauty, breadth [even]
almost approaching grandeur, of the [distant prospect from] prospect [?] dome and [?] the
[its] [the west, north and south faces of] valley of the Potomac,
[the structure] and to the design
that  when the present young plantations
are full-grown, this great advantage
of the Capitol shall not
be lost. [,the] [as] The introduction of the
proposed architectural terrace will, indeed,
[admitting] [will] admit no trees to stand so near,
or on ground so elevated that they
will ever obstruct the present distant view from
the main or even the ground
[floor. They will, having, in time,
form a continuous, consistent,
strong foreground of]74
floor. The plantations in this direction,
however, will in time
obscure the nearer part of the city
and form a continuous, strong
consistent foreground to the [more
distant sylvan prospect] further sylvan slopes.
From the terrace these plantations
will in some degree limit
the views to the northward and
southward but, through the removal
of the old central avenue and
the broad gap left [in the] between
the trees on the west, an outlook is
obtained between the northern and
southern divisions of the city in
which a slope of unbroken turf
seen over a strongly defined and
darkly shadowed architectural
base, will be the foreground; a
wooded plain extending a mile
beyond the foot of the slope, the middle
distance, and the partly overgrown75
partly cultivated hills beyond the depression
of the Potomac, the background so
far removed that in summer conditions
of light and [shade] atmosphere it is often
blue, misty and etherial. Because
perhaps of the influence of the cool waters
of the river passing between the
dry hills from north to south across
[the scene the [?] the sunset effects]
the [?] sunset effects are often to
be enjoyed from the west face of
the Capitol of a rare loveliness.
[It was a strange mistake and misfortune
originally, it is stranger that
it should have been so long perpetrated,
to assume that the Federal
City, as Washington always designated