602 REPORTS OF THE BUILDING COMMITTEE. 



On motion of Mr. Seaton, it was — 



Resolved, That Mr. Hough be a sub-committee to revise the details of the specifica- 

 tions, with a special reference to the solidity, security, and economy of the building, 

 and to report thereon to this committee ; specifying what changes, if any, he may 

 deem necessary or expedient. 



On motion of Mr. Seaton, the following resolution was adopted : 



Whereas the Board of Kegents did, on the 5th day of February, pass the following 

 resolution, to wit : 



" Resolved, That the Building Committee, in conjunction with the Secretary, be 

 authorized to publish, in such form as they may deem most appropriate, one thousand- 

 copies of a brief treatise, to be entitled "Hints on Public Architecture," and to be 

 illustrated with designs of the plan of the building adopted for the Smithsonian 

 Institution, and at the option of the committee, with any other designs that are the 

 property of the Institution : Provided, That the cost of the same shall not exceed one 

 thousand dollars, which sum is hereby appropriated for that purpose ;" Therefore — ■ 



Resolved, That Mr. Owen be a sub-committee to prepare, after consultation with 

 the Secretary, the said treatise, and to contract for the necessary illustrations ; pro- 

 vided he submit the same to this committee before publication. 



The chairman submitted a table of the value of different kinds of plank and scant- 

 ling — Mount Crawford, Kockingham county, Virginia. 

 Eeferred to the architect. 

 On motion, the committee adjourned. 



Fifth Meeting, March 12, 1847. 

 Present, Messrs. Seaton, Hough, and Owen. 



The chairman laid before the committee the following letter from the chief engi- 

 neer of the Baltimore and Ohio Eailroad Company : 



Engineer's Office, Baltimore and Ohio Eailroad, 



Baltimore, March'!, 1847. 

 Sir : I have been requested by Mr. McLane, the president of this company, to 

 communicate to you that the Baltimore and Susquehanna Eailroad Company has not 

 yet decided to join this company in the transportation of marble, in the rubble form, 

 to Washington, for the buildings of the Smithsonian Institution, at the rate {2\ cents 

 per ton per mile) suggested by you. The president of the Susquehanna Company 

 informed me to-day that he would apprize you by letter of the reasons of the delaj' 

 on the part of his company. 



I have only now, by Mr. McLane's desire, to repeat that the Baltimore and Ohio 

 Company is ready, upon reasonable notice, to enter into the transportation, whenever 

 the Susquehanna Company is prepared to unite with it in the operation, at the rate 

 which has been mentioned. 



I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 



BENJAMIN H. LATEOBE, 



Chief Engineer. 

 Hon. Eobert Dale Owen. 



Laid on the table. 



The chairman laid before the committee the following letter from the President of 

 the Baltimore and Susquehanna Eailroad Company, relative to rates of freight : 



Office Baltimore and Susquehanna Eailroad Co., 



Baltimore, March 8, 1847. 



Dear Sir : I am now authorized to say that the president and directors of this 

 company will unite with those of the Baltimore and Ohio Eailroad Company in an 

 agreement to transport the limestone or rough marble for the building of the Smith- 

 sonian Institution, from the quarries on the line of the railroad of this company to 

 Washington, a distance of 53 miles, for 2^ cents per ton of 2,000 lbs. per mile. The 

 company will agree to carry 75 tons per week whenever required. 



Prom the communications I have had with the officers of the Baltimore and Ohio 

 Company, I feel well assured that no difficulty will be experienced in making such 



