PROMOTION OF ARTS AND SCIENCES. 45 



society any pecuniary aid from that body. The Commissioner's 

 letter was partly as follows : 



The Botanic Garden belonging to your Institute is so directly in view from 

 the Capitol, that I hope to be pardoned for a remark in relation to the improve- 

 ment of it. The new section of the Washington Canal was laid out along a 

 line drawn through the middle of the Capitol and of the Mall. The foot-way, 

 canals & plantation in the garden do not coincide with this line, but diverge 

 from it at an acute angle. This discrepancy is so glaring and so very offensive 

 to the eye, that I am satisfied every person visiting the Capitol would be grate- 

 ful for its removal. 



I was gratified by the location of the Botanic Garden in its present site, 

 from an expectation that it would become an ornamental appendage to the 

 Capitol, and that under the eye of Congress they would be induced to foster it. 

 But you are aware, Sir, that whether it shall become an ornament or deformity, 

 depends materially upon the plan which shall be pursued in its improvement. 

 I flatter myself therefore that this subject will be considered not unworthy 

 the attention of your enlightened body. 



The discrepancy was found to be much less serious than the Com- 

 missioner had intimated, and was soon corrected. On November 20 

 following the treasurer reported to the society that, 



By means of the late expenditures ou the Botanic Garden the following ob- 

 jects have been attained, viz. — The ground has been completely drained by 

 drains extending between 400 and 500 yards in length, and in some places 3 

 feet deep ; the canal has been deepened, so that it now surrounds the island, 

 and is between 3 and 4 feet deep and about IS feet wide, with a good foot 

 bridge over it. Several new walks have been made and the whole well 

 gravelled. The ground has been well ploughed and harrowed at least 3 times 

 over. A tool house has been erected. The border on Maryland Avenue and 

 the island have been properly prepared for the reception of seeds and plants. 

 It is believed that it would be most beneficial, at the same time least expensive, 

 to cultivate this border and the island, and to sow the remainder of the ground 

 in the center with white clover, in the spring. And to effect these objects a 

 gardener can be obtained for $60 per annum, who will not only preserve the 

 garden, but will plant any seeds or plants that may be received, besides sup- 

 plying trees where dead. 



In a letter dated August 6, 1830, written in protest of a proposed 

 leasing of the ground as a pleasure resort, in connection with which 

 the objects of the Institute would continue to be carried out, William 

 Elliot spoke of the condition of the garden at that time as follows : 



It is urged that the garden remains uncultivated, and that we make no use 

 of it. But even in its present uncultivated state, it is a not unpleasant object 

 as seen from the Capitol ; and certainly much more worthy the nation than 

 a pleasure garden, with its usual scenes of debauchery. And why is the garden 

 not cultivated, and the other proper objects of the Institute accomplished? 

 Because we have no funds. Let those gentlemen who complain, first pay up 

 their annual and other dues ; and then see what can be done. No money has 

 been laid out (of any amount) on the Botanic Garden for about 3 years. 

 How then can we expect it to appear? However, with what has been laid out, 

 the ground has been well drained ; good gravel walks made ; and more than 



