[23] 



108 



marble, to reduce their rates of freight, in our favor, from 4 cents to 2^ 

 cents per ton per mile. 



I am, sir, your obedient servant, 



ROBERT DALE OWEN, 

 Chairman of the Building Committee. 

 To the Presidext 



of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Company. 



On motion of Mr. Owen, it was 



Resolved, That the architect be. and he is hereby instructed, during 

 the course of the present year, to commence and carry on to completion 

 the whole of the east wing and the east connecting range, so far as is con- 

 sistent with the safety of the structure; and also, to commence the founda- 

 tions of the west wing and the west connecting range, and take such pre- 

 paratory steps towards the work of the said wing and range as may allow 

 the contractors to prosecute the work with proper economy. 

 On motion of Mr. Seaton, it was 



Resolved, That the architect be authorized to cause to be prepared two 

 perspective views of the building — one of the north front, from the north- 

 west, and one of the south front, from the southeast — provided the cost of 

 completing the two said views in the best style of art shall not exceed two 

 hundred dollars; and that the same be colored to correspond with the 

 color of the stone that may he adopted for the facing of the building. 

 On motion of Mr. Seaton, it was 



Resolved, That Mr. Owen endeavor to procure from the several railroad 

 companies between this city and New York, a free passage for the architect 

 of the institution, pending the erection of the building. 



And, on motion, the committee adjourned. 



EIGHTEENTH MEETING— March 26, 1847. 



Present, Messrs. Owen and Seaton. 



The chairman submitted the following letter from Mr. Peter, owner of 

 Bull run quarry, and other quarries in the vicinity of Seneca creek : 



MoNTE Video, (near Darnestoion, Montgomery/ County, 

 Maryland,) March 22, 1847. 



Dear Sir : Yours of the 18th instant was received on Saturday last, 

 in which you state that the building committee have decided to use as 

 the material in the erection of the Smithsonian Institution the stone from 

 some one of my quarries, and that they accept the terms as communica- 

 ted in my letter of the 9th of December to Mr. Seaton, to wit: 



Twenty-five cents a perch for all stone intended for face or cut work, 

 and twelve and a half cents per perch fur all calculated for backing or 

 rubble work. 



The whole number of quarries will be subject to your preference, and 

 1 will be pleased if you will mnke the selection at as early a day as con- 

 venient, as there are several persons applying for permission to obtain 

 stone for other purposes. 



Yours, very respectfully, 



JOHN P. C. PETER. 



Hon. RoBT. Dale Owen, 



Chairman Building Committee. 



