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113 [ 23 ] 



indeed, free from yellowish or gray streaks, nor, certainly, of as fine a 

 grain as the lilac-gray of Seneca creek, but not disfigured by conspicuous 

 holes, pebbles, or stains, such as are almost universal in the blocks to be 

 seen in the pubUc buildings in Washington, where this material has been 

 used. 



I think it owes its present bad character as much to indiscriminate 

 selection as to inherent defects. Its color, occasionally approaching that 

 of marble, is in its favor, though time and the weather change it for the 

 worse. (See specimen No. 32, on the face where marked.) 



It would make a lighter and more airy-looking building than the lilac- 

 gray. But I am convinced that it could not be delivered in Washington 

 nearly as cheap as the latter ; especially if, as the owners of the Aqnm creek 

 quarries thought, slave labor only could be employed there. And I feel 

 assured that, even with reasonable care in selection, the chance of pro- 

 curing the white sandstones unblemished by disfiguring spots or stains, 

 is uncertain ; far more so than in the case of the lilac-gray. 



Upon the whole, this latter material, as found in the middle beds of Bull 

 run quarry, seems to me the safest and best of the Potomac freestones; 

 somewhat darker, indeed, than one would desire, if the choice were free, 

 but uniform in color, improving in its tint by the bleaching effect of time, 

 not liable to be disfigured by accumulation of smoke and dust, and of un- 

 'questionable solidity and durability. 



I annex to this report a rough chart of the freestone quarries of Aquia 

 creek, drawn by the eye, without actual measurement. It will give a 

 general idea of their relative situation. 



All of which is respectfully submitted. 



DAVID DALE OWEN. 



Washington, March 30, 1847. 



Specimens referred to in the foregoing report. 



No. 26. Major Brook's quarry, lower beds. 



No. 27. Symington's island quarry. 



No. 28. United States island quarry. 



No, 29. Beard's quarry on Rocky run. 



No, 30. Towson's Beech quarry. 



No, 31, Robinson's quarry, owned by Galehorn, 



No, 32. Towson's quarry, near his house. 



No. 33. Peggy Norman's quarry, on Jackson's branch. 



On motion of Mr. Seaton, it was 



Resolved, That the material for the external walls of the building be 

 freestone, of the lilac-gray color, similar to specimen No. 19 of Dr. Owen's 

 report on the freestones of Seneca creek, and that none be used darker 

 than that specimen ; to be taken either from Bull run quany, or from any 

 other contiguous quarry furnisliing freestone of the same color and of equal 

 quality. 



Resolved, That a copy of this resolution be furnished to the contractors, 

 and that specimen No. 19, above referred to, be carefully preserved for 

 reference. 



Resolved, That if two wells be opened by the contractors, of such size 

 and description and in such spots as may be designated by the architect, 

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