KEPORTS OF THE BUILDING COMMITTEE. 627 



in regard to reduction of the rates of transportation in favor of the Institution, in 

 case marble was selected. 



And, on motion, the committee adjourned to meet at eight o'clock this evening. 



Thirteenth Meeting, March 19, 1847, (8 o'clock, p. m.) 



Present, Messrs. Seaton, Hough, and Owen. 



The contractors, Messrs. Dixon and Cameron, appeared ; and the contract for the 

 buildings of the institution, which had been prepared by the architect and revised 

 by the committee, having been read to them, they expressed their assent to all its 

 provisions, and declared themselves ready to execute the same. 



Thereupon the Secretary of the Institution, being present, represented to the com- 

 mittee that one of the Eegents, now in the city^ to wit : Professor A. D. Bache, 

 requested to be allowed to examine the provisions of the contract before it was finally 

 executed; but that Mr. Bache was at present too ill to read or examine it. 



Upon this suggestion, the committee asked the contractors whether they were 

 willing now to sign, leaving the signatures of the committee to be added to-morrow, 

 after Professor Bache should have had an opportunity to examine the contract. 



And the contractors assenting, signed the contract. 



On motion of the chairman, it was — 



Resolved, That the architect and Dr. Owen proceed to-morrow to Seneca creek, for 

 the purpose of examining the quarries in its vicinity, with the view of selecting the 

 one from which it is expedient to derive the material with which to face the building ; 

 and that they present to this committee specimens of the exact tint and quality of 

 freestone they may concur in recommending. 



And, on motion, the committee adjourned. 



Fourteenth Meeting, March 20, 1847. 



Present, Messrs. Seaton, Hough, and Owen. 



The chairman stated to the committee that he had a conversation with Professor 

 Bache and the Secretary of the Institution, and, availing himself of suggestions 

 made by them, had prepared an addendum to the contract ; which he submitted, as 

 follows: 



" It is further understood and agreed by and between the parties to the above 

 agreement, that if the Board of Eegents should determine to make important 

 alterations in the plan of building, or in the time of its execution, then, and in that 

 case, the said party of the first part shall receive pro rata, according to the prices 

 agreed in the foregoing contract, for work executed, and reasonable damages, if the 

 nature of the case justly demands it. And in case of dispute or controversy in regard 

 to the amount, then the party of the second part may select either the architect of 

 the Institution, or any other architect or architects, to arbitrate in the case, and his 

 or their decision shall be final and conclusive in the premises." 



And, on motion, it was adopted and signed by the committee, with the under- 

 standing that it be submitted to the contractors for their signature. Thereupon the 

 committee proceeded to the site belonging to the Institution, and carefully examined 

 the same, with reference to the exact position in which to place the building ; but 

 came to no final decision thereon. 



And, on motion, the committee adjourned. 



Fifteenth Meeting, March 20, 1847, (Ho'cloek.) 



Present, Messrs. Seaton, Hough, and Owen. 



Mr. Dixon appeared and signed the "addendum." And the committee appended 

 their signatures to the contract, thus completing the same, as follows : 



Contract. 



This agreement, made and concluded this nineteenth day of March, in the year of 

 our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty-seven, between James Dixon and 

 Gilbert Cameron, party of the first part, and the Board of Eegents of the Smithsonian 

 Institution, by Eobert Dale Owen, William W. Seaton, and William J. Hough, a 

 committee of three of their number duly appointed for the purpose, and for and in 

 behalf of the said Institution, and in accordance with the provision of the fifth section 

 of the act of Congress establishing said Institution, of the second part, witnesseth : 

 That the said party of the first part, for their heirs, executors, administrators, and 

 assigns, hereby convenant and agree to and with the said party of the second part, 

 that for and in consideration of the sum of two hundred and five thousand two 



