REPORTS OF THE BUILDING COMMITTEE. 687 



become an object of patriotic pride and attachment, and must be felt as a persuasive 

 inducement to preserve inviolate the constitution, with whose fate its own is identified. 

 " I will not dwell upon its special claim to the fostering kindness and hospitality 

 of the Metropolis. Her citizens doubtless appreciate that justly. By designating 

 "Washington for its local habitation, the generous testator has summoned the intelli- 

 gence, the courtesy, and the philanthropy of her inhabitants, as auxiliaries to his 

 beneficent project. Already it has added to her social scene a fixed star, whose beams 

 pervade the scientific world ; and, ere long, this rising temple, consecrated to the 

 highest of human pursuits, knowledge, will give fresh attraction and firmness to 

 her destiny. 



" Mr. Dallas having concluded, a national salute was fired by the Columbian artil- 

 lery, while the band played a national air. 



" The benediction was then pronounced by the Rev. F. S. Evans, and thus were 

 concluded the ceremonies of the day, which were witnessed by at least six or seven 

 thousand persons." 



Thirty-fourth Meeting, May 25, 1847. 



Present, Messrs. Seaton and Totten. 



Mr. C. Buckingham appeared before the committee, and represented that, in laying 

 the water-pipe from the fire-plug on the Market square to the site of the Smithsonian 

 building, according to his contract, he had incurred (over the amount of $650, as 

 agreed on in that contract) an excess of expenditure which, including the sum of §84 

 for his personal services, amounted to $138.23; as shown in the following specifica- 

 tion of items : 



Building Committee of the Smithsonian Institution 



May 18, 1847. To C. Buckingham. 



To lead pipe to conduct water from avenue to the site of building, 8,090 



lbs., at 6J cents $536 18 



107 lbs. of lead pipe, at' 7i cents 9 50 



156 lbs. of lead pipe, at 1% cents 11 70 



iron pipe across the canal 42 75 



plumber's bill for making joints 36 10 



excavation and filling in same 30 00 



one hand, ten days, at $1.50 15 00 



one laborer, ten days, at $1.00 10 00 



two stop-cocks 5 50 



boxes in pipe at Canal, and box at end 3 00 



a cylinder for cock at Market square 2 50 



relaying payment on 9th street and market 2 00 



my own services 28 days, at $3 84 00 



788 23 

 650 00 



$138 23 



The amount of $138.23 Mr. Buckingham asked to be allowed, over and above the 

 amount in the contract agreed to be paid to him. 



Mr. Buckingham further alleged, in support of his request, that he had laid down 

 extra strong pipe, instead of strong pipe, as by his contract he was alone bound to 

 lay — say about 1,800 lbs. weight of pipe beyond the contract, at 6J cents, making 

 $117 ; that when he received this pipe he had called on one of the committee, (Mr. 

 Seaton,) and informed him that he proposed to return it, as his loss in so doing would 

 have been but $50, in the shape of freight ; but was dissuaded by Mr. Seaton from 

 bo doing. 



The committee declined acting upon Mr. Buckingham's application, but informed 

 Mr. B. that they would lay the case before the Board of Regents. 



The committee instructed Mr. Seaton to pay over to Mr. Buckingham the amount 

 of his contract, to wit, $650 ; which was accordingly done. 



Mr. Seaton stated to the committee, that on the 22d inst., Mr. Downer, contractor 

 for the erection of the fence enclosing the Smithsonian lot, had represented to him 

 (Mr. S.) that the said fence would cost him much more than the sum of $400, for 

 which he contracted to erect it; and that he (Mr. Downer) offered to relinquish lo 



