25 [23] 



dollars per thousand feet, and will give security for the faithful performance 

 of the contract. 



[ consider my bid as worthy the notice of the committee, and would be 

 glad to confer with them on the subject, should they deem it advisable. 



I have on band a large supply of seasoned lumber, and arrangements 

 for the supply of any quantity wanted. 



I would respectfully refer the committee to the Hon. James Buchanan, 

 Secretary of State, should they desire information as regards my ability to 

 perform any engagements I may enter into. Please address me at this 

 place if you wish me to go on to the city of Washington, 

 Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 



SAML. M. LEIPER. 

 To the Building Committee 



of the Smithsonian Institution. 



Laid on the table. 



The chairman submitted, from Dr. David Dale Owen, the following 



Report on the Baltii?iore county quarries. 



To the Building Committee of the Smit/iso7iian Institution: 



Gentlemen: In conformity with your instructions, I have examined a 

 number of quarries in the vicinity of Baltimore, and also one at the Point 

 of Rocks, with a view to ascertain the extent and quahty of the building 

 material they furnish, and report as follows: 



Extensive quarries of white crystalline marble commence about twelve 

 and a half to thirteen miles from Baltimore, near a small village called 

 Texas, or Clarksville, on the line of the Susquehanna railroad. 



The first quarry visited is that owned by Fell and Robinson, who are 

 largely engaged in lime -burning. It lies on the west side of, and only a 

 few paces from, the main track of the railroad. The surface layers are, by 

 barometrical measurement, forty feet above the level of Cold Spring creek, 

 a small stream running through this quarry; and ledges of marble extend 

 down to the banks of that stream and form its bed; varying, however, at 

 ditferent heights, somewhat in texture and appearance. 



The purest variety in this quarry is of a coarse and highly crystalline 

 structure, varying in tint from a pure white to a faint shade of bluish or 

 grayish white, as may be seen by inspection of the various specimens. It 

 is known to the c[uarrymen under the name of '' alum limestone.'''' 



The course of this purer variety is northwest and southeast, with an 

 average width of 1.50 feet, and extending 525 feet back to Fell and Robin- 

 son's west boundary line. Taking the average depth of this quarry at 18 

 feet, its solid contents may, therefore. Be estimated at IS X 150 X -525 = 

 1,417,500 cubic feet, or 56,700 perches, in this single ciuarry. 



North of this white crystalline marble, the rock gradually assumes a 

 shade of blue or gray, as may be observed by inspecting specimen No. 4. 



The upper layers at Fell and Robinson's quarry are banded witli light 

 gray veins. Below this are at least three feet of pure, highly crystalhue, 

 white limestone. Judging from specimens detached from the interior pro- 

 jecting layers, there is evidendy a great body of the same kind of rock 

 beneadi, with probably some banded beds, similar to the upper beds pre- 

 viously described. 



