123 [ 23 ] 



On motion of Mr. Owen, it was 



Resolved, That Mr. Reuwick be requested to return to Washington 

 within a fortnight, so as to confer on the subject of the details of erection 

 of the building with Mr. Totten. 



And, on motion, the committee adjourned. 



TWENTY-SIXTH MEETING— April 14, 1847. 



Present, Messrs. Seaton and Owen. 



Mr. Seaton submitted to the committee the following letter from Captain 

 Buckingham, whom he stated to be known to himself as having executed 

 with faithfulness and ability, both for the city corporation and the gov- 

 ernment, work of the same character as that for which he here proposes 

 to contract: 



Washington, April 14, 1847. 



Sir: I have made a calculation of the expense of conducting the water 

 from the Market square to the buildings of the Smithsonian Institution, 

 on the mall. 



I will agree to furnish all the necessary material, and put down the 

 pipes to said building, for six hundred and fifty dollars, and take the ne- 

 cessary risk. I calculate that there are about 2,000 feet in all. 

 Respectfully, your obedient servant, 



C. BUCKINGHAM. 

 Wm. W. Seaton, Esq. 



Captain Buckingham appeared; and, on being questioned, informed 

 the committee that his proposal was for a leaden pipe of inch-bore, and of 

 the quality called " strong pipe 5" that he proposed to lay the pipe down 

 not less than two feet under ground, and to cross the canal with a two- 

 inch iron pipe, laid down below the bed of the canal. 

 On motion of Mr. Owen, it was 



Resolved, That a contract with Captain Buckingham be prepared, in 

 accordance with the above offer; stipulating that the work be completed 

 in one month from this date. 



The communication of William McPeak, laid on the table on the 11th 

 inst,, being called up, it was 



Ordered, That William McPeak be re-engaged as messenger, to com- 

 mence from the 7th inst., at six dollars per week. 



Mr. French, masonic Grand Master of the District of Columbia, ap- 

 peared before the committee, and expressed, on behalf of the Grand Lodge 

 of the District of Columbia, their willingness to assist in laying the cor- 

 ner-stone of the Smithsonian Institution with masonic ceremonies. 

 On motion of Mr. Seaton, it was 



Resolvf.d, That the Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia be invited, 

 in connexion with any other masonic lodges who may unite with them, 

 to aid in laying the corner-stone of the Smithsonian InsUtution ; and 

 that Saturday, the first day of May, be recommended as a suitable day for 



that purpose. . u n • i * 



Resolved, That Mr. Owen be a committee to wait upon the 1 resident 



of the United States and invite him, as head of the corporation, to lay the 



