[23] 



132 



stitution, where they found the excavation for the foundations of the east 

 or cliemical wing comaieuced, examined the character of the ground, as 

 shown in a square trench dug for the purpose of ascertaining its character; 

 and decided, that the foundations as specified in the contract were sutficient. 

 The committee then returned to the City Hall ; and, on naotion, ad- 

 journed. 



THIRTY-SECOND MEETING— April 21, 1847. 



Present, Messrs. Seaton and Owen. 



Tlie chairman laid before the committee, from the president of the 

 Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Company, the following letter, received to- 

 day : 



Frederick, April 20, 1817. 



Dear Sir : As promised in my former letter, I laid your proposal for 

 the reduction of the toll on stone for the use of the Smithsonian institu- 

 tion before the board of president and directors of the Cliesapeake and 

 Ohio Canal Company, at their meeting on tlie lUtfi inst., and now ap- 

 prize you that, whilst the board entertain the best wishes for the success 

 of the great undertaking you have in charge, they yet feel constrained to 

 decline making the reduction suasested. 



As 1 mentioned in my letter to you, the cost of transportation on the 

 canal, estimating the toll by the perch, as is the practice on our canal, is 

 at present much less than the rival improvement you allude to, and 1 hope 

 this consideration will suffice to deiernniie you in tayor of the Seneca 

 quarries. 



With great respect, yours, &.c., 



J. M. COALE, 

 President of the Ckesaptuke and Ohio Canal (So. 

 « 



On motion, the letter was referred to the contractors, Messrs. Dixon and 

 Cameron. 



The chairman stated to the comuiittee that he should set out to-morrow 

 morning lor the west ; tiut if, at any time during the summer, his presence 

 should become necessary on the committee, he v/ould endeavor to return 

 at as short a notice as possible. 



And, on motion, Xhe committee adjourned. 



THIRTY-THIRD MEETING— May 1, 1S47. 



Present, Messrs. Seaton and Totten. 



On motion, it was 



i^;.vo/r<c/, That William Beverly Randolph be appointed marshal-in- 

 chief during the ceremonies of tne day. 



And then, this being lUe day appointed to lay the corner-stone of the 

 building destined to be occupied as tlie Smithsonian insiiiunou, the com- 

 mittee adjourned to join in its ceremonies ; of which the following de- 

 scription is extracted from the National 1' telligencer: 



" Early in the morning the banners in front of the City Hall and at 

 other public places gave mdiiaiion of a holyday and a day of public re- 

 joicing. At nine o'clock the volunteer companies, under the command of 



