WASHINGTON CITY, Dec. 19, 1827
GENTLEMEN– I have been desired to put the accompanying specimen of marble into your hands, with a request, that, if you can find room, and deem it of sufficient importance, you would take some notice of it in a passing paragraph in your highly useful paper. It may be another argument in favor of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal.
The quarry from which this specimen is obtained is in Jefferson County, Virginia, on the bank of the Shenandoah, about twelve or fourteen miles above Harper’s Ferry, and two above Shannondale Springs. It is located on the farm of the Rev. Wm C. Walton; is apparently inexhaustible, and so directly on the bank of the river, that marble from it, in any quantity, can be rolled into boats without any trouble.
Mr. Brown (superintendent of the stone work at the Capitol, who polished this specimen,) pronounces it to be very fine marble, and capable of receiving easily a very high polish. It is beautifully clouded, of all hues, from white to blue or gray. Yours, very respectfully.
X.
[This specimen of Marble, which accompanied the above note, fully answers the description given of it. The surface is highly polished, very smooth, and of a handsome grey, or clouded dove color. We have now, therefore, in the City, of domestic origin, almost every known variety of Marble– from the Potomac, the brescia, (of which the columns in teh Capitol are made) and the rouge antique– from the Shenandoah, the white and clouded– from Connecticut, the verd antique, (of which several mantels in the Capitol are constructed)– and, from Maine, the black and white clouded. Besides these, Maryland Pennsylvania, and New York, possess extensive masses of several varieties. Some of our builders have lately obtained from Baltimore door frames, window sills, caps, &c. of fine white marble, at a cost little exceeding that of free alone.
Nat. Int]
