662 REPORTS OF THE BUILDING COMMITTEE. 



easterly direction, recrossing the College quarry to the Bull Bun, belonging to Mr. 

 Peter. The quarry on this run has been opened at a point up the stream, distant 

 about 300 yards east of the Potomac. 



The stone is of excellent quality, of even color, being of a warm gray, a lilac tint 

 resembling that known as ashes of roses, and can, from all indications, be found in 

 sufficient quantities to supply all the face work for the Institution. 



There appear to be three layers of this color, which are, respectively, 20, 24, and 

 30 inches in thickness. 



The stone is highly silicious, rings when struck with the hammer, and where it bas 

 been exposed in the bed of the Bull Run to the action of the water and frost appar- 

 ently for ages, and in the culvert under the canal for several years, shows little or no 

 signs of decay. 



We traced strata of this color from the present quarries to the mouth of the Bull 

 Run, and found it between an overlying layer of a shaly or slaty argillaceous quality, 

 (which is easily decomposed, and must therefore be very carefully avoided,) and a 

 substratum of the dark red-colored stone, (see No. 18 of Dr. Owen's report.) "We 

 also found stone of the same color and quality in an old quarry, distant about GOO 

 feet south from the mouth of the Bull Run ; thus rendering a sufficient supply almost 

 certain. 



The strata lie well for quarrying, having but a slight covering and sloping towards 

 the run, thus enabling it to be quarried without binding, which will render the 

 expense small ; and the color is equal to that of any stone we examined, except the 

 buff. In company with Mr. Peter, we next visited a house built of coursed and ham- 

 mered rubble masonry of stone of this color, in which it had a pleasing and airy effect 

 upon the eye. Mr. Peter's stable is also built of stone of this color, and produces an 

 excellent effect. From the above examinations, we were therefore of opinion that 

 Lee's quarries, and those on the Bull Run, combine, more than any of the others we 

 have visited, the requisites most necessary for structm-e, durability, and beauty. 



We would also recommend, if the quarry on the Bull Run be chosen, that none 

 darker than specimen No. 19, in Dr. Owen's report, be allowed to be used in the 

 building, and that great care be taken to prevent any of the argillaceous stone being 

 used ; and if Lee's quarry should be selected, that all rock showing indications of 

 copper be prohibited from being used. I subjoin herewith a rough topographical 

 map of the region, in which the distances and localities are put down from memory, 

 as the limited time of our visit prevented any accurate measurements. 

 Respectfully submitted. 



JAMES REN WICK, Jr., Architect 



On motion of Mr. Owen, it was — 



Resolved, That the architect cause to be procured and dressed a block of freestone, 

 of the warm gray color, from Lee's quarry; and also, that he cause to be dressed, in 

 Ashlar finish, a portion of the block of freestone from Bull Run quarry, now lying 

 before the west wing of the City Hall. 



On motion of Mr. Seaton, it was — 



Resolved, That the chairman address a letter to the President of the Chesapeake 

 and Ohio canal, asking a reduction of the rates of toll on said canal, in favor of the 

 contractor. 



Mr. Mills, superintendent, submitted to the committee several specimens of free- 

 stone, of excellent quality and good color, from the neighborhood of Aquia creek, 

 Virginia. 



On motion of Mr. Owen, it was — 



Resolved, That Dr. Owen visit and report upon the Aquia creek quarries of free- 

 stone. 



And, on motion, the committee adjourned. 



Seventeenth Meeting, March 25, 1847. 



Present, Messrs. Owen and Seaton. 



The chairman laid before the committee the copy of a letter, which, in accordance 

 with the instructions, he had addressed to the President of the Chesapeake and Ohio 

 Canal Company, as follows : 



Washikgton, March 25, 1847. 



Sir: I am instructed by the Building Committee of the Smithsonian Institution 

 to inquire of you, whether, in the event of the selection of a building material by 

 them from quarries in the neighborhood of Seneca creek, your company would con- 



