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partments of the State, and a few inns and taverns; but, as George Town is adjoining to it, they to- gether make up a population of about 8000 inha- bitants. The capitol will be a noble building when finished; and is beautifully situated on a commanding eminence; whence every part of the city may be seen; and whence also is a fine pro- spect of the Navy Yard, and of the Potowmack as far down as Alexandria; being a distance of 6 or 7 miles. Upon the whole, the situation is one of the most eligible spots for a city that I have ever seen; and the plan being deliberately drawn out, and every thing done with regularity and order, it bids fair at some future day, to be one of the most elegant and regularly built cities in the world; and, what is of more consequence, the situation is dry and healthy. To a contemplative mind, there is something very interesting in the consideration of the representatives of an extensive empire, like that of the United States, thus jointly fixing upon the most eligible situation for their chief city. After taking tea at George Town, I crossed the Potowmack, and went down that evening to Alexandria, a beautiful little city, situated on that river, at a spot where it is about one mile over, and so deep that ships of war ride at anchor before the town.