4372 REPORTS OF THE BUILDING COMMITTEE. 



the drawing to the required size ; one geometrical elevation of the Italian plan sub- 

 mitted by Mr. Daniel, of Cincinnati, provided he will reduce the same ; also ground 

 plans and geometrical elevations of the Smithsonian Institution, and one or two 

 interiors of the same. 



Resolved, That application he made, in the proper quarters, for plates of the fol- 

 lowing public edifices, to wit : 



1. Girard College. 



2. Stewart's dry-goods store, Broadway, New York. 



3. Grace Church, New York. 



4. Trinity Church, New York. 



5. Calvary Church, New York. 



And if the respective authorities are willing to furnish such plates, without cost, 

 then that the same be used in the said work, accompanied by a brief description of 

 each edifice. And in that case, that the chairman of the Building Committee be 

 empowered to agree with those furnishing the said plates, that the Smithsonian 

 Institution will, at any time, furnish to them as many impressions from the plates 

 thus furnished by them as they may desire, at the cost of paper and printing. 



Resolved, That, if the funds permit, the said work contain a geometrical or per- 

 spective view of the east front of the Capitol of the United States, and a geometrical 

 elevation of the south front of the General Post Office. 



In submitting the above resolutions, Mr. Owen stated to the committee that it was 

 his intention, in order as far as possible to avoid expense to the Institution, to prepare 

 as much of the work as practicable at home, and for that purpose he would take with 

 him a few works on architecture ; but that it would be necessary for him to spend 

 some weeks in New York, and probably in Washington, to consult authorities, to 

 which he had not access at home, to receive the necessary aid from Mr. Kenwick, 

 and to take steps for the preparation of the illustrations. 



The above resolutions, after deliberation, were adopted. 



And, on motion, the committee adjourned. 



Twenty-Fourth Meeting, April 11, 1847. 



Present, Messrs. Seaton and Owen. 



The chairman laid before the committee the following .letter : 



Darnestown, Montgomery County, Md., 



April 7, 1847. 



Dear Sir : Mr. Dixon was here yesterday, and made a superficial examination of 

 the quarries, but made no selection, as you informed me would be his purpose, in 

 your letter to me dated the 31st of March. He admitted, as I think must be apparent 

 to any one, that stone of similar character with the specimen which he says the com- 

 mittee have adopted may be found in abundance for all your purposes. Indeed, 

 upon examination we find it embraced in a much larger field than I had before 

 observed, and I have no doubt it could be obtained to any extent that may be 

 required. 



The quarries, from the characteristic position of the stone and the partial manner 

 in which they have been worked, present a different appearance from such as we 

 commonly see; but as an evidence of the facility with which they may be worked, 

 there is a party now engaged in getting stone from them for the use of Mr. Berry, 

 who has contracted to deliver the same in Washington for twenty cents a cubic foot ; 

 .and I have no doubt Mr. Dixon could get his stone delivered much more readily for 

 the same, as the quantity he would require would justify the contractor in working 

 the quarry to a much greater advantage. 



I would only add that the kind of stone that I understand you have selected may 

 be obtained here in any quantity you may require, and the difference in the expense 

 of using it is a full justification for its selection. 



I have been induced to make this communication to guard you against any 

 unfavorable impression Mr. Dixon may be induced to make, in which I feel justified 

 by expressions lie used when here. 



Yours, very respectfully, JOIIN P. C. PETER. 



Hon. Robert Dale Owen, 



Chairman of the Building Committee Smithsonian Institution. 



Laid on the table. 



Mr. Owen, in connexion with the subject of the above letter, stated to the com- 

 mittee that he had written to the architect, Mr. Renwick, informing him that the 



