SERIES: Pictorial History of the United States and Territories
SCENES: The Capitol; The White House; George Washington
SIZE: 3" x 5"
DATE: 1892
LITHOGRAPHER: Donaldson Brothers, N.Y.
CONDITION: Good, I'd say. This card is generally only lightly soiled, with slightly worn edges and corners. However, the back has several small patches of surface paper loss at the left. There's also a small crease at the top center. (Please see scans.)
MULTIPLE ITEM SHIPPING DISCOUNT: I will ship up to 4 cards for the single base shipping charge shown. For purchases of more than 4 cards, the shipping charge will increase by just a small increment for every 4 additional cards.
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REVERSE TEXT: DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.
THE district was bought of the Indians by an Englishman named Francis Pope, who settled here in 1663. During the Revolution the Continental Congress moved from town to town to avoid the British armies. After the war several States claimed the seat of government to be established, as defined by the Constitution, not to exceed ten miles square, and to remain under the exclusive legislation of Congress. In 1788-89 Maryland and Virginia each offered such districts, and Congress in 1790 accepted, specifying the present location. The magnificent system of avenues was planned by Major L'Enfant and laid out by Surveyor Andrew Ellicott. In 1791 the new public domain received the official title of District of Columbia and the Federal City became the City of Washington. In 1800 the public archives were transferred in a sloop from Philadelphia, and Congress held its first session here. In 1814 a British army of 4,500 men routed the American Militia at Bladensburg and occupied Washington, destroying the public buildings. The city was menaced by the Confederate troops at the outbreak of the Civil War until the night of May 23d, 1861, when Wood, Heintzelman, and Ellsworth crossed the Potomac and defended the city. The Capitol was saved from further assault after the various reverses of the Federal Army in Virginia, by sixty-eight forts and miles of rifle-pits.
