THE THE OLD CAPITOL PRISON: ITS HISTORY AND INCIDENTS. HE buildings known as the Old Capitol, but now de molished, were not erected at one time. The Old Capital proper, included only the building fronting on First Street; that on A Street adjoining, and forming a part of the prison, was built subsequently. The Old Capitol Prison, situated on the corner of A and First Streets, Washington, was an old and dilapidated brick building, which was erected in 1817, to accommodate the National Legislature, the Capitol building having been destroyed by fire. It was used for that purpose until the Capitol was rebuilt, when the additions and alterations were made, and it was fitted up for a boarding-house, and as such, was, for many years, patronized by members of Congress and others, who visited the city during the sessions of Congress, and whose daily attendance on the Legislative halls made a contiguous dwelling desirable. It was in this building that the Hon. John C. Calhoun breathed his last. And little did this revered champion of liberty, or his compeers, who legislated within its walls, or reposed beneath its roof, think that the day would come, when this building, within sight of the Capitol of the Nation, whose dome is surmounted by the Goddess of Liberty, would be turned into a Bastile and dungeon for the victims of despotism. The building forms two sides of a square. The entrance on First Street is under a large arched window, which admitted light to the former Senate Chamber, but which, through its broken and filthy panes, permitted the winter's wind and drifting snow to fall on the unhappy inmates of ! Was Jeet in, was an old ar ! ditap'd to" brick Con hers, who vit d the city dog the soss on སྙཝཱ* "t 1i5 a the l ́oi, John C. C. down brethed his last. Aid d: i his rezere char pon of Phorty, or his comprors, d who is walls, reposed beneath its ro he* the day would or shen this building, within 1 tle Capitol of the Nation, whose done is fur dly the Godds of Liberty, would be turned into a #21 3 driking snow to fall on the v Fed th |