REPORTS OF THE BUILDING COMMITTEE. 673 



committee adhere to their resolution regarding the color and quality of building- 

 material for the external walls, and look to him to see it strictly carried out. 



The chairman laid before the committee, from the ex-messenger, McPeak, tho 

 following letter : 



"Washington, April 11, 1847. 

 Sir : Believing that I can render good service to the committee in my capacity as 

 messenger, both in attending in the office and overlooking the grounds of the Insti- 

 tution, and removing nuisances, therefore I would respectfully offer my services to 

 the committee at one dollar per day. 



Eespectfully, Wm. McPeak. 



Hon. Robert Dale Owen, 



Chairman of the Building Committee Smithsonian Institution. 



Laid on the table. 



And, on motion, the committee adjourned. 



Twenty-Fifth Meeting, April 12, 1847. 



Present, Messrs. Totten, Seaton, and Owen. 



Mr. Totten, having returned from Mexico, took his seat on the committee. 



The chairman laid before the committee several specimens of building-stone, 

 similar in color and quality to specimen No. 19 of Dr. Owen's report on the sand- 

 stones of the Potomac, from the quarries of Charles Vinson, Seneca Mills ; (see his 

 letter to the Building Committee, page 612 of this journal.) The chairman stated 

 that Dr. Owen had examined the specimens, and considered them equal to specimen 

 No. 19. 



The journal of the Building Committee, contract with James Dixon & Co., and 

 specifications and plan of foundations of the building, prepared by the architect, 

 were submitted to Mr. Totten, and examined by him. 



Mr. Totten stated to the committee that the duration of his stay in "Washington 

 was uncertain, and that he might be called upon to visit some of the fortifications of 

 the United States in the course of two or three weeks. 



On motion of Mr. Owen, it was — 



Resolved, That Mr. Eenwick be requested to return to Washington within a fort- 

 night, so as to confer on the subject of the details of erection of the building with 

 Mr. Totten. 



And, on motion, the committee adjourned. 



Twenty-Sixth Meeting, April 14, 1847. 



Present, Messrs. Seaton and Owen. 



Mr. Seaton submitted to the committee the following letter from Captain Bucking- 

 ham, whom he stated to be known to himself as having executed with faithfulness 

 and ability, both for the city corporation and the Government, work of the same 

 character as that for which he here proposes to contract : 



Washington, April 14, 1847. 

 Sir : I have made a calculation of the expense of conducting the water from the 

 Market square to the buildings of the Smithsonian Institution, on the mall. 



I will agree to furnish all the necessary material, and put down the pipes to said 

 building, for six hundred and fifty dollars, and take the necessary risk. I calculate 

 that there are about 2,000 feet in all. 



Eespectfully, your obedient servant, C. BUCKINGHAM. 



Wm. W. Seaton, Esq. 



Captain Buckingham appeared ; and, on being questioned, informed the committee 

 that his proposal was for a leaden pipe of inch-bore, and of the quality called 

 " strong pipe ;" that he proposed to lay the pipe down not less than two feet under 

 ground, and to cross the canal with a two inch iron pipe, laid down below the bed of 

 the canal. 



On motion of Mr. Owen, it was — 



Resolved, That a contract with Captain Buckingham be prepared, in accordance 

 with the above offer ; stipulating that the work be completed in one month from this 

 date. 



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