be supposed, is enormous; nor do the people expect this business to be transacted for nothing, but they expect civil treatment from men in their service.*

It often happened while in Washington, that I met with "uncle Sam's" men, as they call themselves. Walking in the capitol square one day, I stepped up to a man whom I found there at work, and asked him whom he worked for, (meaning his employer, from whom I wished to obtain some information.) "me," said the fellow, "I work for uncle Sam," in a tone of unequalled impudence. No matter where you meet those under* strappers you may distinguish them by their unparalleled effrontery.

Heads of Departments.-In order, I ought to have noticed these before the subordinate officers, and hope I shall be pardoned for the omission. The truth is, these gentlemen have been so often and so ably described, and so long before the public, that I had intended to confine my remarks to those objects less known. Besides, what can I say of them, that has not been said a thousand times; yet, as it may argue a want of respect, in a general view, wholly to overlook men who have been so eminently distinguished by their country, I hazard a brief sketch of their persons; to attempt any thing more, would be a great piece of arrogance, even did I possess the talents, which I do not.

To begin then with the President, I never saw him but once, and that in his carriage at some distance, I had merely a glimpse at his features, he looked very old and venerable. I went to his house for the purpose of seeing him, but was repulsed by his domestics, of him there#fore, I can say no more. The next great man I called on, was the attorney general. I promised myself much pleasure upon seeing the author of the Spy, and waited for him at his office, with no little enthusiasm, but was never more disappointed. He received me with a smile, to be sure, but it was rather a sarcastic one. Mr. 5W. is a good figure, being tall, straight, and well form

*In justice to these clerks, I must observe, that they pay the strictest attention to their duty; in going through the various departments, I found every man at his post. The hours of business are from 10 to 3.

ed, though somewhat corpulent. He walks erect, and with haughty air, in short, he has the remains of much personal beauty, for he is far advanced in years. His complexion is fair, his face wan, though round and full, with a vacant blue eye. In his countenance there is nothing striking, no dignity, no in dependence, or expression; it is neither grave nor austere, but marked with an unmeaning smile. I mentioned my disappointment to a gentlemen of this city; his reply was, "that had Mr. W. died when he wrote the Spy, he would have rendered his name immortal." Taking leave of Mr. W. I called upon Mr. Adams, Secretary of State. It being his hour of business, I found him in the State department. Mr. A. received me with that ease of manner, which bespeaks him what he really is, the profound scholar, and the consummate gentleman: he saluted me in softest accents, and bid me be seated. I had heard much of Mr. Adams. I had admired him as a writer, and applauded him as a statesman. I was now in his presence. While beholding this truly great man, I was at a loss how to reconcile such rare endowments with the meek condescension of the being before me. He neither smiled nor frowned, but regarding me with a calmness peculiar to him, awaited my business. Mr. A. appears to be about fifty years of age, middling stature, robust make, and every indication of a vigorous constitution. His complexion is fair, his face round and full, but what most distinguishes his features, is his eye, which is black; it is not a sparkling eye, nor yet dull, but one of such keenness that it pierces the beholder. Every feature in his face shows genius, every gesture is that of a great man, his countenance is serene and dig. nified, he has the steadiest look I ever witnessed, he nev er smiled whilst I was in his company, it is a question with me whether he ever laughed in his life, and of all men I ever saw, he has the least of what is called pride, both in his manners and dress.

Mr. Calhoun is quite a young man compared to Mr. A. and possessed of much personal beauty: he is tall and finely made, neither spare nor robust his movements are light and graceful, his complexion (if I do not mis

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take) is dark, his features handsome and animated, with a brilliant black eye; in his countenance all the manly. virtues are displayed, overcast with shining bene volence. In his manners he is frank and courteous. In Washington, as well as elsewhere, Mr. Calhoun is held as a model of perfection. He is secretary of War. The secretary of the navy, Mr. Southard, I never had the pleasure to see; he unfortunately was absent. Fame speaks of him in the highest terms. I was told that I missed a great treat in not seeing him. Mr. Crawford, secretary of the treasury department, was confined by indisposition during the whole of my stay in Washington, of course I did not see him. Mr. McLean, the post master general, is apparently older than Mr. Calhoun; in his person he is tall and spare, his complexion fair, his countenance mild and pleasing, his fine blue eye beaming with good nature, reveals the benevolence of his heart. His manners are those of an accomplished gentleman. The chief clerks, auditors, and comptrollers, are said to be men of standing integrity and talents, whose worth are equally entitled to notice, but their number is too great for the limits of this work. Gen. Brown, General in chief of the U. S. army, Judge Thurston, Gen. Van Ness, the Messrs. Brents and Carrols, (all of whom are gentlemen of wealth and distinction) have their residence in Washington.

Corporation.-Too much praise cannot be bestowed upon the corporation of the city. To its zeal and indefatigable industry may be ascribed the rapid improvement of Washington. Perhaps there never was an instance of so much being done in so short a time, and by such limited means. The vast number of houses, the beauty and size of the buildings, streets and avenues, is highly honourable to that body.

Yesterday the fourth of July was celebrated in a style of magnificence never before witnessed in this city; it was ushered in by a round of twenty-four cannon. Much pains was previously taken to render the day splendid and interesting. It certainly was the grandest spectacle I ever beheld. The design, which was the first attempt, had a very imposing effect; this was the

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appearance of the different mechanics in the procession, at work; the freemasons in full uniform; the marines in theirs; beside these, there were no uniform companies in the procession, which much surprised me. The President, heads of department, foreign ministers, and citizens, joined the procession, which formed on a plain south of the President's house, and moved thence to the capitol in the following order -1. Music in front, performed by the marine band. 2. Marines in full uniform, four deep. 3. Masons in full uniform, two and two. Washington Benevolent Society, two and two. 5. Typographical Society, preceded by a carriage containing a press, at which men appeared at work throwing off copies of the declaration of independence, two and two. 6. Stone cutters, with aprons on, preceded by a carriage in which the craft were at work, two and two. 7. Painters, which were also at work, followed as above. 8. Blacksmiths, preceded by a carriage with forge and bellows, the sparks of fire flying, and the sound of hammers heard on the anvil, two and two. 10. Four marshals, in uniform, mounted on white chargers, distinguished by red plumes and sashes. 11. President in a plain chariot. 12. Secretaries of the different departments, in carriages. 13. Foreign ministers, in carriages. 14. Twenty-four young ladies, representing the twenty four states. 15. Pupils of the different schools preceded by their respective teachers on foot, two and two. Each party had a banner with appropriate emblems, and the procession lacked nothing to render it grand and beautiful, but a complete band of music, which they have not. The ladies, by invitation, repaired to the capitol, and took their seats in congress hall, no gentleman being allowed to enter the hall until the procession arrived. The capitol, from its situation and size, afforded a fine opportunity for every one to witness the display. About one o'clock the procession reached the capitol, down Pennsylvania avenue. The hall and galleries were crowded to suffocation, nor could half the people get in Gen. Stewart, an old revolutionary officer, read the declaration of independence, and an oration was delivered by I know not who.

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Peculiar Traits. Every house of any distinction in the city, has a bell, distinguished by a brass knob on the side of the front door,* and whoever may be so unfortunate as to have business with the proprietor or any boarder, pulls the brass horizontally, this rings the bell, which brings an insolent free negro to the door. This negro opens the door with great caution, something as we used to do in the Indian wars, and if he finds you are not a member of congress, head of department, or foreign minister, he thrusts his body directly in the entrance, taking all possible precaution to keep you out, by holding fast the door, and thus to the general question, is the master or mistress at home? you receive the same answer ninety-nine times out of an hundred, which is that he is not," although he is then listening to the negro, who slams the door in your face. It sometimes happens that they are at home; in that case the negro leaves you standing on the steps of the door, like another servant, while he walks up stairs at his leisure, and returns at the same gait; and after some negociation in this manner, the master or mistress walks down stairs, or from whence they are, with a countenance something like a hyena; and lest they might be contaminated by your breath, they stop at a disrespectful distance to hear your business, without inviting you to walk in, or showing you the least politeness, though you were dropping with fatigue, or drenched with rain. It is, however, due to the respectable portion of the citizens to say, that they form a decided exception; they are at all times easy of access. Generally you find them on the lower floor, and a ready admittance; particularly at Secretary Adams'; no respect of persons is shown there; the rich and the poor meet with a cordial welcome; and more,† you do not have to stand and wait,

*This is the case in all the Atlantic towns.

Mrs. Adams is represented to be one of the most charitable females in this or any other country; the distressed are ever sure to meet a friend in her. She is not so old as Mr. Adams; perhaps about forty years of age in her person she is tall, slender, and elegantly formed; her features are regular and handsome for her years: in her manners she is affable, and by far the most accomplished American lady I have seen; her countenance is suffused with ineffable sweetness; in short,