[23] 



114 



the committee will allow for them, when the building is completed, what- 

 ever they may then be worth. 



Resolved, That a copy of the foregoing resolution be furnished to the 

 contractors. 



And, on motion, the committee adjourned. 



TWENTIETH MEETING— March 31, 1847. 



Present, Messrs. Seaton and Owen, 



The chairman laid before the committee the following letter, in reply to 

 that addressed by him to the president of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal 

 Company : 



Frederick, March 29, 1847. 



Sir : Your letter of the 25th instant, making inquiry whether the Ches- 

 apeake and Ohio Canal Company would consent to reduce the rates of toll 

 on stone, " so far as regards the buildings of the Smithsonian Institution,"" 

 has been received, and I will preseot it to the consideration of the board 

 of president and directors at their next meeting, on the 7th of April, and 

 communicate to you their answer. 



I would here, hoM^ever, merely remark, that the toll charged on stone at 

 present on the canal is 1 cent per perch per mile for twenty miles, and 1^ 

 cent per perch per mile for any greater distance it may be carried ; and that 

 with their rates and the usual charge made by boatmen for transporting it, 

 the cost by the canal would, I think, be less than by the railroad, even at 

 the reduced charge mentioned in your letter. 



Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 



J. M. COALE, 

 President of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Company. 



To the Hon. Robert Dale Owen. 



On motion of Mr. Owen, it was 



Besolvedy That Mr. Seaton be a subcommittee to see the Commissioner 

 of Public Buildings, and endeavor to procure from him permission for the 

 contractors to use the remains of the old fence standing on such portions 

 of the mall between 7th and 12th streets as is not included in the site of 

 the institution. 



Mr. Owen stated to the, committee that it was his intention to proceed 

 to-morrow to New York, for the purpose of making preliminary arrange- 

 ments regarding the preparation and publication of the work on " Public 

 Architecture" intrusted to him, as per resolution passed by this committee 

 on the 6th instant, and that he would take that opportunity of communi- 

 cating with the several presidents of the railroad companies between Wash- 

 ington and New York, and endeavor to procure a free ticket on those roads 

 for the architect of the institution. 



And, on motion, the committee adjourned. 



TWENTY-FIRST MEETING— April 6, 1847. 



Present, Messrs. Seaton and Owen. 



Mr. Owen having returned from New York, made, in regard to his pro- 

 ceedings there, the following report : 



