688 REPORTS OF THE BUILDING COMMITTEE. 



the committee all the work he had already put on the fence ; they releasing him 

 from the contract and paying him the cost of the materials purchased. 



The committee, after consultation, decided that it was inexpedient either to release 

 Mr. Downer from his contract, or to make him any allowance heyond the sum in 

 that contract specified to be paid for the work. And the superintendent was instruc- 

 ted to inform Mr. Downer what had been the decision of the committee in his case, 

 and in that of Mr. Buckingham. 



Mr. Seaton submitted to the board the following letter, which had been forwarded 

 by Mr. Owen from Indiana, with a request that it be spread on the journal of the 

 committee : 



Office of New Jersey E. E. and Trans. Co., 



New York, April 8, 1847. 

 Dear Sir : I am instructed by the directors of the New Jersey Eailroad and 

 Transportation Company to inform you that it is not in their power to give a 

 favorable reply to your application for reduced rates of fare over their road, in favor 

 of Mr. Eenwick, as the architect of the Smithsonian Institution. The board, as I 

 mentioned to you, do not feel themselves authorized to act in favor of applications in 

 cases where there may be a diversity of opinions and interests among the stockholders 

 whom they represent. 



I am, respectfully, yours, EOBEET SCHUYLEE, 



Vice-President. 

 Hon. E. D. Owen, 



New Harmony, Indiana. 

 And, on motion, the committee adjourned. 



Thirty-fifth Meeting, July 23, 1847. 

 Present, Messrs. Seaton and Totten. 

 Mr. Seaton submitted from one of the contractors the following letter : 



"Washington, June 1, 1847. 

 Gentlemen : By an agreement between Mr. Cameron, my present partner, and 

 myself, I have determined (provided it be agreeable to you) to retire from the firm 

 of Dixon & Cameron, as contractors of the Smithsonian Institution. I am anxious 

 to be released from all responsibility provided the Building Committee should deem 

 proper to release me. 



Mr. Cameron offers Mr. Horace Butler, of New York, as his security for the com- 

 pletion of the building, should the committee deem the same sufficient. 



Yours, very respectfully, JAMES DIXON. 



To the Building Committee of the Smithsonian Institution. 



This letter was, without any action upon it, on motion, laid on the table. 

 Mr. Seaton submitted from Mr. Cameron, one of the contractors, the following 

 letter : 



July 10, 1847. 



Gentlemen : In consequence of the withdrawal of Mr. Dixon from the contract 

 for erecting the Smithsonian building under your charge, which leaves me wholly 

 dependent on my own funds to fulfill the contract which we jointly entered into with 

 your honorable body, I would respectfully solicit of the committee the privilege of 

 being paid once a month on my contract, with the architect's certificate, in place of 

 every two months. My expenses for work, and also for materials, and heavy outlay 

 at the Seneca quarries, and payments to my men once every two weeks, absorb my 

 means very fast. 



Praying you, gentlemen, to take these things into your consideration, I beg to add 

 that the compliance of the committee with this, my respectful request, will much 

 oblige your obedient and humble servant, 



GILBEET CAMEEON. 



To the Building Committee of the Smithsonian Institution. 



After consultation with the architect, it was — 



Ordered, That payments be hereafter made to the contractor monthly, upon the 

 architect's estimate, and with reduction of fifteen per cent, as heretofore. 



Mr. Seaton stated to the committee, that on examining the fence around the 

 Smithsonian lot, though executed according to contract, he believed it would be 

 insecure and exposed to frequent injury without a stout top-rail; and he submitted, 

 on this subject, from the architect, the following: 



