I brought to Paris my notes and collection of plants, minerals, and insects, which I had not leisure to examine as long as I exercised my public functions. My labours, however, have been of little avail in struggling against fortune, to whose capricious empire I have been forced to submit1.

Since the suspension of my consular powers, I have occupied myself chiefly with subjects relating to the United States; and I have prepared for your acceptance this sketch of the District of Columbia, which I flatter myself will serve to perpetuate the fond remembrance of the friendship and confidence with which you have so long honoured me. I wish it were more worthy of the favoured daughter of the illustrious Washington.

Si fortuna volet, fies de Rhetore Consul. Si volet hæc eadem, fies de Consule Rhetor.

I have to regret that the difficulty of communication has prevented me from procuring other specimens of the birds and insects of this District, which would have enabled me to complete the nomenclature of objects of natural history. It will give me pleasure to see this deficiency supplied by another, and the errors, into which I may have fallen, corrected with the same spirit which guided my researches. A publication of this kind is now called for, not only by citizens of the United States, but also by foreigners, who, from motives of curiosity or interest, seek minute information concerning the present state of the American metropolis. Accept, Madam, the homage, esteem, and respect, of

Your truly devoted,

D. B. WARDEN.

DESCRIPTION

OF THE

TERRITORY OF COLUMBIA.

THE Territory of Columbia, which formed

a part of the States of Virginia and Maryland, became the permanent seat of Government in the year 1801. This territory, extending on both sides of the Potomac, contains a surface of ten miles square, of which the diagonals are north and south, and east and west. Two of the sides run in a direction from north west to south east, and the two others from north east to south west; so that the angles are each towards one of the Cardinal Points. That of the south is at Fort Columbia, situated at Jones's Point, at the mouth of Hunting Creek, on the left bank of the Potomac. From this point the lines of demarcation run each at an angle of 45o to the distance of ten miles, where they take a

direction perpendicular to the first, forming by their intersection the northern corner.

POTOMAC RIVER.

The Potomac takes its rise in that great chain of mountains known by the name of Alleghany, or Apalaches, which separate the western waters from those that run into the Atlantic Ocean. This river traverses the territory of Columbia, from which to its mouth, in the Chesapeak Bay, it is navigable for the largest frigate-a distance, in following its course, of about 200 miles. 1

Mr. Jefferson, in his "Notes on Virginia,” has given the following table of the breadth and depth of this river, at different places:

This river forms the line of boundary between the States of Virginia and Maryland, to the distance of three hundred miles.