17 [23] 



Whatever material and quarry we may select, the particulars regarding it 

 will be published liy us in connexion with the plans of the building, and a 

 copy sent to every literary and scientilic society of any importance not 

 only in this country, but throughout Europe. The reputation of the quarry 

 we may select will therefore be known all over the world. 



If we contract for the quarry riglu, we shall have to do so subject to the 

 decision of the two railroads to reduce their freight to 2} cents per ton per 

 mile. 



This will be handed to you by my brother, Dr. Owen, a geologist, who 

 is instructed by our board carefully to examine the various Maryland quar- 

 ries, including one at the " Point of Rocks," from which specimens have 

 recently been sent io us. You will oblige the committee by affording Dr. 

 Owen every facility to examine your quarry. 



If we agree to rent of you the quarry right, we should expect to go into 

 die quarry where you are at wrork. But this need not at all embarrass 

 your own operations. 



If we agree to pay half the expenses of a railroad to connect your quarry 

 with the York road, so that the cars could be loaded in the quarry, will 

 you agree to pay the other half? Please reply to this. 



I am, sir, your obedient servant, 



ROBERT DALE OWEN, 



Chairmmi of Building Committee. 



Samuel Woethington, Esq. 



The reply was approved by the committee. 



The chauman laid before the committee a letter from Wm. Robinson, 

 owner of a Maryland quarry of" white primitive stone," which he offers 

 for the Smithsonian building. 



Referred to Dr. Owen. 



The chairman laid before the board. a letter from Peter Gorman, stating 

 that he had found a quarry superior to any other he had visited, (Samuel 

 Worthington's,) and which could be rented on cheap terms. 



The chairman informed the conunittee that he had seen Mr. Gorman 

 since the receipt of tliis letter, and he (Mr. G.) stated that Mr. Worthington 

 was willina; to rent his quarry ibr the purposes of the institution at twenty 

 cents per perch quarry right. 



Letter laid on the table. 



The chairman laid before the committee the following letter from Mr. 

 Howard; president of the Baltimore and Susquehanna railroad: 



Office of the Baltimore axd Susciuehanna Railroad Co., 



Baltimore, February 24, 1847. 



Dear Sir: In compliance with your request, t submitted to-day tiie 

 proposition that we should unite with the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad 

 Company in transporting rough marble for the Smithsonian Institution, 

 from the quarries in Baltimore county to Washington, at a charge of 2^ 

 cents per ton per mile for the whole distance. 



I regret that I cannot yet give you an answer. The period has now ar- 

 rived lor the appointment; by our legislature, of directors of the company 

 on the part of the State, who will constitute a majority of the whole board. 



Expecting every day to hear of such appointment being made, die di- 

 rectors have not deemed it expedient to enter at this moment into a con- 

 2 



