THE CAPITOL
DESIGN OF THE CAPITOL, BY THORNTON, 1800
When the seat of government was moved from Philadelphia to Washington in the year 1800 there had been erected for the purposes of the Government a small rectangular building, familiarly known to-day as the Supreme Court section of the Capitol, and in this building were housed the Senate, the House of Representatives, the Supreme Court, the courts of the District of Columbia, and the library, now known as the Library of Congress. South of this building was a large vacant space, practically the extension of East Capitol Street. Through this area people from the western and eastern parts of the city passed to and fro. Conveniently located in that section now occupied by the central portion were two wells, which for many years furnished water to citizens residing in that vicinity, for the Capitol Grounds were then occupied by residences. South of this vacant space were the foundations of another building, equal in area and intended to compare in cubic contents with the portion already erected and occupied. For some time after the inauguration of President Jefferson but little was done toward the erection of the southern building, now known as the Statuary Hall section, except that the foundation walls progressed slowly, and within the area of these walls there was built a 1-story elliptical-shaped building of brick construction, known to the people of that period as “The Oven,” designed for the accommodation of the House of Representatives and occupied until 1807, when the Hall of the House of Representatives was completed. In 1800 there were 32 Senators and 106 Members of the House.
THE CAPITOL, FROM PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE, 1830
CAPITOL, FROM THE WEST, SHOWING THE TRIPOLI COLUMN
Thomas Jefferson sought the assistance of the best talent of the country to complete the Capitol, and on March 6, 1803, appointed Benjamin H. Latrobe, whose fame as an architect had caused his services to be in such great demand in several cities that he could not immediately take up his residence in Washington. But he arranged to assume the duties of Architect of the Capitol by personal visits to the city and made a thorough study of the plans for the Capitol. The plans for the Hall of the House of Representatives as developed by Mr. Latrobe required sculptural decoration, and this was made the subject of an interesting letter on March 6, 1805, addressed to Philip Mazzei, an Italian physician, asking for assistance in selecting a sculptor:
By direction of the President of the United States I take the liberty to apply to you for your assistance in procuring for us the services of a good sculptor in the erection of the public buildings in this city, especially the Capitol.
SENATE CHAMBER, 1830
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CHAMBER, 1830
EARLY VIEW OF THE WHITE HOUSE
The Capitol was begun at a time when the country was entirely destitute of artists, and even of good workmen in the branches of architecture, upon which the superiority of public over private buildings depends. The north wing, therefore, which is carried up, although the exterior is remarkably well finished as to the masonry, is not a good building. For two or three years after the removal of Congress to this city the public works were entirely discontinued. In the year 1803, however, they were resumed, and under the patronage of the President and the annual appropriations by Congress the south wing of the Capitol has been begun and carried on. It is now so far advanced as to make it necessary that we should have as early as possible the assistance of a good sculptor of architectural decorations * * *.
The principal sculpture required was 24 Corinthian capitals, 2 feet 4 inches in diameter at their feet and open enriched entablatures of 147 feet (both English measure) in length. Also five panels (tavole) enriched with foliage and an eagle of colossal size in the frieze, the distance between the tips of the extended wings to be 12 feet 6 inches. As to material, yellowish sandstone of fine grain was to be used.
PLAN, IN BLACK, SHOWING PART FIRST OCCUPIED BY CONGRESS, 1800
The later history of the Capitol will be found on [page 219].