Excerpts from
'The President's House Vol I'

p. 220

Back of the President's House, which long years after, in Jackson's time, was turned around, as it were, by the simple expedient of adding the present northern portico, was the dirt road which later on was proudly to bear the name of Pennsylvania Avenue, and just beyond and north of that was a graveyard, on the edge of a field, which, in due course of time became a commons; a market, removed in 1801 to Seventh Street and the Avenue, the old Center Market of today; a parade ground for the Washington Artillery, and by the slow processes of evolution, Lafayette Square. But as yet it did not bear that name. Not for many years.

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But in Jefferson's time the whole neighborhood, save down tow toward the river, was sparsely settled, and there were many vacant squares, from which the one which afterwards came to bear the name of the simple and democratic marquis was in no wise distinguishable. Only because of its close proximity to the President's House did it gradually take on a certain flavor of of its own.

Impelled by that curiosity which always draws crowds to where the President may be seen, the people soon began using the square as a resting place and for their sports and games. Here they celebrated the first birthday of the Republic that was observed in the new Capital. How proud Mr. Jefferson must have been on that great day!

Lafayette Square has witnessed many more brave pageants since then, but it is to be doubted whether the people who have assembled there with Patriotic fervor in the after years have known the thrill of July 4, 1801.

"On Saturday," said the "Intelligencer" in its issue of Monday, July 6, "our great national day was celebrated here with patriotic and rational animation. The dawn of day was announced by a salute from the frigates, and during it ordinary business has universally suspended.

"About twelve o'clock the President was awaited

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upon by the heads of Departments and other officers, civil and military, foreign diplomatic characters, strangers of distinction, the Cherokee chiefs at Present on a mission to the seat of government and most of the respectable citizens of Washington and George-Town.

"The First Magistrate received the cordial felicitations of his fellow citizens on the return of the anniversary, with unfeigned satisfaction; and though adulation offered no ostentatious homage to power, yet all felt the inspirations of patriotic gratitude on contemplating in the midst of them the man, whose pen had traced, whose counsels had recommended, and whose firmness and talents had cooperated to establish the Declaration of Independence."

Col. W. W. Burrows, at the head of the Marine Corps, saluted the President at the Mansion House, "while a band of music played with great precision and with insplrlng animation the President's march." The Marines drilled in the square, "fired sixteen rounds in platoons, and concluded with a general feu-de-joie,'' The Marine Band continued to play at intervals during the morning, while President Jefferson served refreshments to the assembled company; and from that day to this its musical story has been part of the history of the Presidents, and the celebrated house they have occupied in Washington.

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