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diversity of opinions and interests among the stockholders whom they 

 represent, 



I am, respectfully, yours, 



ROBERT SCHUYLER, 



Vice President. 

 Hon. R. D. Owen, 



New Harmofii/, Indiana. 

 And, on motion, the committee adjourned. 



THIRTY FIFTH MEETING— July 23, 1847. 



Present, Messrs. Seaton and Totten. 



iVIr. Seaton submitted from one of the contractors the following letter: 



Washington, June 1, 1847. 

 Gentlemen: Hy an agreement between Mr. Cameron, my present 

 partner, and myself, I have determined (provided it be agreeable to you) 

 to retire from the firm of Dixon and Cameron, as contractors of the Smith- 

 sonian Institution. I am anxious to be released from all responsibility, 

 provided the building committee should d-eem proper to release me. 



Mr. Cameron offers Mr. Horace Butler, of New York, as his security for 

 the completion of the building, should the committee deem the same 

 sufficient. 



Yours, very respectfully, 



JAMES DIXON. 

 To the Building Committee 



of the ISmitlisonian Institntioji . 



This letter was, without any action upon it, on motion, laid on the 

 table. 



Mr. Seaton submitted from Mr. Cameron, one of the contractors, the 

 following letter : 



July 10, 1847. 



Gentlemen : In consequence of the withdrawal of Mr. Dixon from the 

 contract for erecting the Smithsonian building under your charge, which 

 leaves me wholly dependent on my own funds to fulfil the contract which 

 we jointly entered into with your honorable body, I would respectfully 

 solicit of the committee the privilege of being paid once a month on my 

 contract, with the architect's certificate, in place of every two months. 

 My expenses for work, and also for materials, and heavy outlay at the 

 Seneca quarries, and payments to my men once every two weeks, absorb 

 my means very fast. 



Praying you, gentlemen, to take these things into your consideration, I 

 beg to add, that the compliance of the committee with this, my respectful 

 request, will much obliare your obedient and humble servant, 



^ GILBERT CAMERON. 



To the Building Committee 



of the Smithsonian Institution. 



10 



