APPENDIX. 519 



twelve half squares, and 186 single lots were standing to his name on 

 the assessment books for many years, most of them so remaining in 

 1807. 



In 1812 to 1814 his health was much broken, and further misfortunes 

 to his property interests, resulting from the war, induced his final return 

 to Pliiladelphia, in 181 4, where he died in April of that year. In 

 pursuit of his purpose of founding a national university, he made at one 

 time a large donation of his property in the city of Washington — 1,500 

 lots — and stocks in various companies were left to the same purpose in 

 President Washington's will, at his death, in 1799. The estimated 

 value of these stocks was $25,000, but in both cases the intended dona- 

 tion v/as not realized. Several thousand dollars were, however, de- 

 posited by Mr. Blodget in a bank at Georgetown, and a form of organi- 

 zation of trustees was maintained for many years afterwards, Judge 

 Bushrod Washington being the principal and last surviving trustee. 



The enterprises and efforts which engaged his attention almost from 

 1775 to the day of his death were peculiarly difficult, and their success 

 doubtful or remote. But the city of Washington, which was looked on 

 as being impracticable at the time it was founded, and for which Con- 

 gress then absolutely jefused all aid, was actually prepared for occupa- 

 tion as the seat of government, in iSoo, in a great degree by his own 

 efforts and sacrifices. The records of the commissioners — Daniel Car- 

 roll, Thomas Johnson and David Stuart — are full of testimony to the 

 vital character of the aid rendered them at every step by Mr. Blodget, 

 and the money given by him personally was the first considerable 

 amount applied to the erection of the two most necessary structures, the 

 Capitol and the President's House. 



With him it was a labor of love and a work of supreme patriotism to 

 aid in founding the city Washington had chosen, and Congress had 

 reluctantly permitted Washington and Jefferson to build, if they could, 

 in the comparatively remote locality on the Potomac. Other cities 

 looked on the effort as unwise, and opposed it as being injurious to their 

 interests; but the commissioners, without money, finally triumphed — a 

 few devoted friends of Washington, who became attached to him when 

 in New England, in 1775, came to their relief, and adhered to them to 

 the end. Mr. Blodget left four children (see genealogy). His portrait, 

 painted by Trumbull, is in existence. His remains are buried in 

 Christ Church ground, Philadelphia. 



