Observations explanatory of the Plan. - THE positions for the different Edifices, and for the several Squares or Areas of different shapes, as they are laid down were first determined on the most advantageous ground, commanding the most extensive prospects, and the better susceptible of such improvements as either use of ornament may hereafter call for.
- LINES or Avenues of direct communication have been devised to connect the separate and most distant with the principal, and to preserve through the whole a reciprocity of sight at the same time. Attention has been paid to the passing of these leading Avenues over the most favorable ground for prospect and convenience.
- NORTH and South lines intersected by others running due East and West, make the distribution of the City into Streets, Squares &c: and thee lines have been so combined as to meet at certain given points with these divergent Avenues, so as to form on the Spaces "first determined," the different Squares or Areas.
| Breadth of the Streets. THE grand Avenues, and such Streets as lead immediately to public places, are from 130 to 160 feet wide, and may be conveniently divided into foot ways, walks of trees, and a carriage way. The other Streets are from 90 to __ feet wide. IN order to execute this plan, Mr. ELLICOTT drew a true Meridienal line by celestial observation, which passes through the Area intended for the Capitol; this line he crossed by another due East and West, which passes through the same Area. These lines were accurately measured, and made the basis on which the whole plan was executed. He ran all the lines by a Transit Instrument, and determined the Acute Angles by actual measurement, and left nothing to the uncertainty of the Compass. |
