82 TRAVELS THROUGH NORTH AMERICA : 
jacent country. In the capitol are to be 
spacious apartments for the accommodation 
of congress; in it also are to be the princi¬ 
pal public offices in the executive department 
of the government, together with the courts 
of justice. The plan on which this building 
is begun is grand and extensive; the expence 
of building it is estimated at a million of dol¬ 
lars, equal to two hundred and twenty-five 
thousand pounds sterling. 
The house for the residence of the president 
stands north-west of the capitol, at the distance 
of about one mile and a half. It is situated 
upon a rising ground not far from the Pa- 
towmac, and commands a most beautiful pros¬ 
pect of the river, and of the rich country be¬ 
yond it. One hundred acres of ground, to¬ 
wards the river, are left adjoining to the 
house for pleasure grounds. South of this 
there is to be a large park or mall, which is 
to run in an easterly direction from the river 
to the capitol. The buildings on either side 
of this mall are all to be elegant in their 
kind; amongst the number it is proposed to 
have houses built at the public expence for 
the accommodation of the foreign ministers* 
&c. On the eastern branch a large spot is laid 
out for a marine hospital and gardens. Va¬ 
rious other parts are appointed for churches* 
theatres* colleges* &c. The ground in ge- 
