When the first-born of the states of this great basin came into the Union (Ohio), it brought with its baptism the inauguration of _National Internal Improvements_--a policy _that has enriched the nation by liberality_ of expenditures, improving harbors, water-ways and roads, in building custom-houses, post-offices, and in assisting the states in many laudable undertakings, while like the miser, in all its vast wealth has been wearing old, unbecoming, unfashionable clothes and doing the business of the nation in rented and other ill-begotten shops, located here and there, as best suited real-estate sharks and speculators in a sickly city.[34] But the dawn of day is coming by which the people of the North-west now see it is high time the Government should make for itself a permanent home--a place of security for all the valuable records of the nation. A spot for the Government _alone_, called “_The Capitol of the United States_,” near the center of population controlling representation, free from private property. A capital with capacious senatorial, representative and judicial halls, contiguous to the several departments, with state dwellings for senators and representatives of the several states, and other necessary buildings, all to be owned and controlled by the Government, each constructed with reference to the intended uses, large enough to accommodate an ordinary peaceable assemblage of American citizens, with room to spare. The most celebrated speaker now living in America, on reciting a visit to the present capital during the sitting of Congress, states: “Another thing that impressed me was, that the hall of the House of Representatives was built in defiance of all laws of acoustics. There are more echoes than can be counted to play havoc with a speech, and turn the finest oratory into a senseless gabble.” A capital situated on the border of an inland sea, with large grounds, parks, lakes, lagoons, gardens, and fountains, in beauty all that art and nature is able to make one place on this continent fitly dedicated to the keeping of the charter of the best government on earth. And, then, if the crowned heads of the world have a desire to see the majesty of a _Republic_, owned and preserved by the people, let them come and look upon “The Capital of the United States”--where just laws are made and interpreted alike for _all the people_. A capital with the architectural requirements of so great a nation, bristling with “peacemakers” and a _floating_ navy in sight, would increase American pride and attachment, and do more to advance the arts, sciences, and sound civilization than all other national improvements combined. It would “copy the Monroe Doctrine into international law,” and secure peace over the entire world. The Squirrel Hunters of Ohio and North-west will do it. Good Night. FOOTNOTES: [27] Recollections of Samuel Brock, pp. 275-7. [28] Wood’s book on Railroads, 1825. [29] Sherman and His Campaigns.