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680 plains with only here and there a house along the intersecting ways, that could not yet be properly called streets.

Thomas Moore visited the United States in 1804, and writes in his letters to his mother, that "the Presidents' House is encircled by a very rude pale, through which a common rustic stile introduced visitors."

The Executive Mansion was opened for the reception of visitors on the 1st of January, 1818, being the first time since the completion of repairs subsequent to its destruction by the British.

Gas was introduced into the White House during President Polk's administration, the 29th of December, 1848.

Until President Fillmore's time there was no library. The circular room in the second story contains now a fine collection of books, many of them purchased during President Buchanan's administration. The trees on the western side of the mansion were planted by President John Quincy Adams. At various times there have been complaints made of the "palace" in which the Presidents were entertained during their terms, and not a few have been the bitter denunciations, written and spoken, "of its inappropriateness," averring that it is too fine and too large for a republican Chief Magistrate. However, as the country has increased in population and wealth, these objections ceased to be made, and since the most interested persons say nothing now of its being too large or elegant, it is to be supposed that it will