702 REPORTS OF THE BUILDING COMMITTEE. 



Report of the Building Committee for the year 1850. 



The Building Committee, in compliance with their appropriate duty, present the 

 following report of the operations, expenditures, and progress on the building during 

 the year 1850 : 



At the last session of the Board, resolutions were adopted, directing a survey of 

 the whole building, and a report on the manner and faithfulness in which the build- 

 ing contract had been executed, and the best plan for finishing the remainder of the 

 building. 



It was found by this examination, that the exterior of the building bad been well 

 constructed, but that, in order to reduce the cost, a plan had been adopted and mate- 

 rials employed for the interior, not proper for a building destined to contain property 

 too valuable to be exposed to even a remote danger of tire, and which, especially, so 

 far as it shall consist of donations, will involve the implied condition that it shall be 

 safely preserved. 



In accordance with this result, a resolution was adopted, directing the interior of 

 the centre building to be constructed in fire-proof, and that the time of finishing it 

 be extended until the accumulating interest would be sufficient to meet the additional, 

 expense. 



According to the decision of the architect, who, by the terms of the original con- 

 tract, is the umpire between the Kegents and the contractor, the latter is entitled to- 

 the sum of $185,154 for completing the whole exterior of the building and the inte- 

 rior of the wings, ranges, and towers. When this much is finished, the present con- 

 tract will terminate ; though the same contractor has agreed, should the Kegents 

 choose to accept his proposition, to finish the remainder of the interior in fire-proof, 

 on the terms mentioned in the annexed report of the architect. 



Agreeably to the estimates of Mr. Kenwick, and the proposition of Mr. Cameron 

 for fire-proofing, the whole cost of the building when finished, will be $284,000; but 

 as the preliminary expenditure for premiums to architects and other incidental 

 charges connected with the work are not included in this estimate, the committee 

 think it will be safer to state the whole cost at, say in round numbers, $300,000. 



Since the commencement of the building there has been expended on the grounds 

 $3,747.51. The committee, however, are pleased to be able to inform the Board, 

 that but little more expenditure on this account will probably be necessary beyond 

 that which is requisite for the preservation of the trees and shrubs already planted. 



An appropriation has been made by Congress for the general improvement of the 

 public grounds, or, as they are commonly called, the Mall. Mr. Downing, the well- 

 known writer on Rural Architecture, at the request of the President, is now prepar- 

 ing a plan for converting the whole Mall, including the Smithsonian grounds, into 

 an extended landscape garden, to be traversed in different directions by graveled 

 walks and carriage drives, and planted with specimens properly labelled, of all the 

 varieties of trees and shrubs which will nourish in this climate. 



In the opinion of the committee, the adoption of a general plan for the improve- 

 ment of the public grounds is an object of much importance. A small appropriation, 

 annually expended with reference to a well digested plan, would do more in a few 

 years to produce lasting effects, than many times the same sum, expended in accord- 

 ance with the peculiar fancy of each succeeding superintendent. 



If the plan before mentioned be adopted, (and the committee hope that it will be,) 

 the Smithsonian lot will form a part of an extended park, of which the Smithsonian 

 building, by its site and picturesque style of architecture, will form a prominent 

 and most attractive feature. 



For the accommodation of those who attend the lectures, plank walks have been 

 put down from the doors of the building to the east and west extremities of the 

 Smithsonian grounds. Much difficulty is still found, however, in getting access to 

 the building during muddy walking ; but in the opinion of the committee, it belongs 

 to the corporation of the city of Washington, or other authority, to construct, and 

 keep in good condition, the approaches to the building which are beyond the Smith- 

 sonian possessions. 



A foot bridge across the canal at Tenth street, would greatly increase the facility 

 of access to those who reside in the central portion of the city. The construction of 

 such a bridge has been proposed to the city council, and your committee hope that 

 the objects and operations of this Institution will commend the proposition to their 

 favorable consideration. 



For a minute statement of the progress made in the building, and other details 



