680 REPORTS OF THE BUILDING COMMITTEE. 



Frederick, April 20, 1847. 

 Dear Sir : As promised in my former letter, I laid your proposal for the reduc- 

 tion of the toll on stone for the use of the Smithsonian Institution before the board 

 of president and directors of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Company, at their 

 meeting on the 10th inst., and now apprize you that, whilst the board entertain the 

 best wishes for the success of the great undertaking you have in charge, they yet feel 

 constrained to decline making the reduction suggested. 



As I mentioned in my letter to you, the cost of transportation on the canal r 

 estimating the toll by the perch, as is the practice on our canal, is at present much 

 less than the rival improvement you allude to, and I hope this consideration will 

 suffice to determine you in favor of the Seneca quarries. 



With great respect, yours, &c, J. M. COALE, 



President of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Co. 



On motion, the letter was referred to the contractors, Messrs. Dixon and Cameron. 



The chairman stated to the committee that he should set out to-morrow morning 

 for the west ; but if, at any time during the summer, his presence should become 

 necessary on the committee, he would endeavor to return at as short a notice as 

 possible. 



And, on motion, the committee adjourned. 



Thirty-Third Meeting, May 1, 1847. 



Present, Messrs. Seaton and Totten. 



On motion, it was — ■ 



Resolved, That William Beverly Eandolph be appointed marshal-in-chief during 

 the ceremonies of the day. 



And then, this being the day appointed to lay the corner-stone of the building 

 destined to be occupied as the Smithsonian Institution, the committee adjourned tc> 

 join in its ceremonies; of which the following description is extracted from the 

 National Intelligencer : 



CEREMONIES AT LAYING THE CORNER-STONE. 



" Early in the morning the banners in front of the City Hall and at other public 

 places gave indication of a holiday and a day of public rejoicing. At nine o'clock 

 the volunteer companies, under the command of Captain Tucker and Lieutenant 

 Tate, were formed at their respective parade grounds, near the City Hall. At about 

 the same hour the cars arrived from Baltimore, bringing hither a large delegation of 

 the Free Masons of Baltimore and Philadelphia, to unite with their honored brethren 

 in this District in the grand and interesting ceremonies of laying the foundation of 

 an institution whose object is the ' increase and diffusion of knowledge among men.' 



" At ten o'clock the members of the various lodges of Free and Accepted Masons of 

 the District united with the delegations from Maryland and Pennsylvania, and took 

 the station assigned them in the order of the procession by the marshal-in-chief, Wm. 

 Beverly Eandolph, Esq., who appeared, as most of the assistant marshals, in appro- 

 priate badges. The Masonic part of the procession was unusually grand. We never 

 witnessed so numerous a turn out in this city of that ancient and respectable fra- 

 ternity, who embrace in their body, persons of every condition in life and of all 

 countries. The Philadelphia delegation, headed by Colonel James Page, Grand 

 Master of Pennsylvania; the Baltimore delegation, headed by Charles Gilman, Esq., 

 Grand Master of Maryland ; and the Washington, Georgetown, and Alexandria 

 delegations, headed by B. B. French, Esq., the popular Grand Master of the District 

 of Columbia ; all these functionaries, and several other officials whose names we do 

 not know, with the long line of members in full regalia, with their splendid banners 

 and emblems, presented a very interesting and imposing spectacle. 



" Not less so the very numerous and respectable body of the Independent Order 

 of Odd Fellows, comprehending many of the lodges of this District. The Odd 

 Fellows, by their number, splendid regalia, banners, emblems, excellent music, and 

 rich costume, added greatly to the imposing appearance of the interesting pageant. 

 Dr. W. B. Magruder, splendidly decorated, acted as grand marshal of the Odd 

 Fellows, whose chief officers are Dr. Joseph Borrows, Grand Master, and Dr. 

 Flodoardo Howard, Deputy Grand Master, who appeared in their proper places,, 

 supported by other prominent officers and members of the Order. 



" The procession (formed agreeably to the programme of the day) moved from the- 

 City Hall to the President's House about 11 o.clock. The marshal-in-chief and his 

 aids were all on horseback, and wore white scarfs and blue rosettes. Three bands of 



