REPORTS OF THE BUILDING COMMITTEE. 689 



July 22, 1847. 

 Dear Sir: Mr. Carr has made an estimate for putting a 3 X 1J inch top-rail on 

 the fence, with two wrought-iron nails to each paling, and says that it can be done 

 for sixty dollars. 



Will you be so kind as to let me know by McPeak whether he shall proceed with 

 it. 



Very truly and respectfully yours, 



JAMES EENWICK, Jr. 

 W. W. Seaton, Esq., 



Member of Building Committee. 



On motion, it was — 



Resolved, That the architect be authorized to contract for the addition of a 3 X 1} 

 inch top-rail, to be firm nailed to the fence at a cost not exceeding sixty dollars. 



On motion of Mr. Seaton, it was further — 



Resolved, That the architect be authorized to make a contract for whitewashing 

 the fence around the lot, at an expense not exceeding sixty dollars. 



Mr. Seaton submitted, on the suject of a resolution heretofore passed by the com- 

 mittee, the following letters, which he received from Mr. Owen : 



SUYDENHAM, NEAR PHILADELPHIA, May 20, 1847. 



My Dear Sir : Preferring to my former letter, I now enclose you the answer 

 from the Girard College, through their architect, Mr. "Walter, which would have 

 been transmitted immediately, but that I was from home when it arrived. I regret 

 its nature and endeavored by personal exertions to render it otherwise, but without 

 success. 



The engraving of the college, to which Mr. Walter alludes in no commendatory 

 terms, I will leave with my son, 98 South Fourth street, Philadelphia, (Benjamin 

 Bush,) subject to your order at any moment, should you desire to have it. 



On the eve of my departure on the French mission, I cannot lose this occasion of 

 6aying with what constant interest I shall continue to follow up the proceedings of 

 the Smithsonian Kegents ; and of adding, that if it ever be thought I could render 

 the least service to the Institution, while in Paris, it would afford me the greatest 

 pleasure to be called upon. 



I beg you to believe in the esteem with which I am, dear sir, very faithfully yours, 



EICHAED PUSH. 

 Hon. Kobert Dale Owen. 



Girard College, May 8, 1847. 



Dear Sir : I received your favor of the 15th ultimo, enclosing a letter from the 

 Hon. Eobert Dale Owen, both of which I laid before the Building Committee of the 

 Girard College ; and I am sorry to say, that in consequence of their having no power 

 nor right to expend the funds intrusted to them for any other purpose than the build- 

 ing of the college, they find themselves unable to comply with the request. 



They desire me to say that they highly appreciate the nattering notice Mr. Owen 

 has taken of the work under their charge, and their inability to meet his views by 

 furnishing an engraving for the contemplated work. 



The only engraving of the eollege over which they have any control is no doubt 

 entirely too large for the proposed book, and its execution is not such as would do 

 credit either to the Institution or the college. 



I send you an impression, by which you will see that it is by no means fit for a 

 work like the one in question. 



Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 



THOS. U. WALTER 



Hon. Eichard Eush. 



And, on motion, the committee adjourned. 



Thirty-sixth Meeting, October 18, 1847. 

 Present, Messrs. Seaton and Owen. 



Mr. Seaton stated to the committee that he had received several letters from Mr. 

 Notman, of Philadelphia, one of the architects to whom a premium of $250 had been 

 awarded, and who at first had declined to receive said premium in full compensation 

 for his plans ; and that Mr. Notman had finally agreed to receive said premium in 

 full, as appears from the annexed check on him (Mr. Seaton) for the amount : 

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