712 REPORTS OF THE BUILDING COMMITTEE. 



of the Potomac, which enters the extreme mouth of the sewer, condenses the con- 

 tained air, and forces it back to the extremity of the drains, where it escapes through 

 the minute crevices of the encasing brick-work. The cause of the difficulty having 

 been discovered, a remedy was readily suggested. This consisted in tapping the 

 main drain before it reached the building, and erecting over the opening a chimney 

 communicating with the exterior atmosphere. Through this the condensed air 

 escapes, the internal pressure is relieved, and the disagreeable effluvium is no longer 

 forced into the building. 



The attention of the Building Committee has also been directed by the Secretary 

 to the fact that, in the original plan of the edifice, it was intended to provide for the 

 drainage in a manner differing from the present mode. For this purpose, three large 

 cylindrical excavations were made in the ground, two on the front, and one in the 

 rear of the building. They are each about nine feet in diameter, thirty feet deep, 

 cased with brick, and covered with plank and earth. Fear has been expressed that 

 the wooden coverings of these wells may decay, and that accidents may occur from 

 the breaking through of carriages. The committee would, therefore, recommend 

 that they be either filled up, or permanently secured by a dome of brick over each. 

 The latter plan is perferred, both on account of cheapness and the fact that one of 

 the excavations may hereafter be used as an ice-house, and the others for investiga- 

 tions connected with subterraneous temperature and other physical phenomena. 



From the statement of the accounts given by the Executive Committee it will 

 be seen that the following sums have been expended on the building, viz : 



Pay on contracts, &c $6,036 38 



Repairs and miscellaneous incidentals 1,359 23 



The first item includes the amount paid the original contractor, Gilbert Cameron, 

 to close his account, and also for the drains and other permanent additions to the 

 building. The second item includes all the sums paid for work done on the roof, 

 and for repairing and painting all the water-courses lined with tinned iron. 

 Kespectfully submitted. 



WM. H. ENGLISH, "> p ., .. „ ... 

 TOSEPH HENPY > Building Committee. 



Report of the Building Committee for the year 1857. 



The building of the Smithsonian Institution having been completed, the special 

 object of the Building Committee for which it was originally appointed, might be 

 considered accomplished, and therefore an annual report no longer necessary ; but 

 as a laro-e portion of the edifice remained unfinished, and since repairs are required 

 which will probably be very expensive, it is thought proper that the committee 

 should be continued. 



At the last session of Congress an appropriation of fifteen thousand dollars was 

 made for cases for the accommodation of the collections belonging to Government. 

 These are now finished and form a beautiful addition to the large hall, and are 

 apparently well adapted to the purpose for which they are intended. With strict 

 economy the appropriation of Congress has been found sufficient to provide accom- 

 modations for the present reception of the articles, though in the course of time 

 additional cases will be required. 



The west wing of the building, devoted to the library, has been furnished with 

 alcoves and a gallery extending around three sides of the large room. This arrange- 

 ment, which will serve very much to increase the accommodation and security of 

 the books, produces a very pleasing architectural effect. 



The large cisterns in the grounds near the building, which were directed to be 

 arched over at the last session of the Board, have been properly secured, and one of 

 them converted into an ice house. 



The balance of a bill for gas fixtures, which had been contracted by the architect, 

 and which remained unsettled, on account of a disagreement as to certain charges, 

 has been finally paid, after a reduction of $352.99. 



The peculiar style of architecture of the building, and the large amount of surface 

 it exposes to the weather, renders constant repairs necessary. During the past year 

 almost the whole time of two workmen has been occupied in this service. 

 Respectfully submitted. 



RICHARD RUSH, ) 



"WILLIAM H. ENGLISH, \ Building Committee. 



JOSEPH HENRY, J 



