42 COLUMBIAN INSTITUTE FOR THE 



the draft of a petition to Congress placed before the society on Feb- 

 ruary 6 of that year, but possibly not transmitted. In this draft it 

 was said 



and they further solicit * * * the sole and exclusive right to occupy the 

 remainder of the ground to the west of that now enclosed (to Second Street), 

 on the same terms as before granted, which would not only preserve the garden 

 free from intrusion (by its being surrounded with streets) but it would add 

 greatly to the value of the whole appropriation by giving more extent to the 

 various designated portions for the forest trees and plants of this very ex- 

 tensive Republic. 



Just two years later, February 7, 1824, a petition in the same words 

 or to the same effect was ordered presented to Congress, where it re- 

 ceived favorable consideration, resulting in an act approved May 26, 

 granting 



The use and improvement of the tract of public ground in Washington City, 

 which is bounded on the east by the Botanical Garden, in the occupancy of the 

 said Columbian Institute ; on the north by Pennsylvania Avenue ; on the west by 

 the Tiber and Canal ; and on the south by Maryland Avenue. 



This extension was, in fact, essentially to the position of Third 

 Street, and, accordingly, the grounds so enlarged comprehended the 

 area of the present United States Botanic Garden, plus the width of 

 First Street and the tract reaching therefrom to the circular road 

 near the Capitol. Of this entire area the Institute remained in con- 

 trol until practically the close of its activities, the extension of the 

 Capitol grounds to First Street and the opening of the latter taking 

 place in 1836. 



The entire Mall at this time was not only not improved but was 

 in an unprotected and desolate condition. Its northern side and 

 eastern end were moreover low and swampy and frequently invaded 

 by the waters of the Tiber and the canal. The Institute, which was 

 the first establishment privileged to make use of any part of this 

 tract, had much difficulty in overcoming these conditions, which were 

 more or less improved during its occupancy of the site under the 

 direction of a municipal commission formed to deal with draining 

 the lowlands south of Pennsylvania Avenue. After the abandon- 

 ment of the garden, the Mall remained unoccupied until the selection 

 of the site for the Smithsonian Institution between Ninth and 

 Twelfth Streets, in 1846. 



Enclosure of the garden. — A committee to consider plans for en- 

 closing the ground reported on June 20, 1821, that they believed a 

 good board fence, 5 feet high, with a live fence of American thorn 

 planted inside of it, would answer every purpose required ; for before 

 the board fence had entirely decayed the live fence would have risen 

 sufficiently high to be both secure and ornamental. Such a board 

 fence, entirely enclosing the garden, was completed by October 6 in 



