merit, and our Republic assume by such instrumentality a respecta- 

 ble position among those nations who have distinguished them- 

 selves by their attention to intellectual pursuits. 



Those who may wish to obtain more details in relation to the 

 Depot of Charts and Instruments will do well to consult the de- 

 scription of the buildings and instruments furnished for the Army 

 and Navy Chronicle by Lieut. Gilliss. It was published, with an 

 engraving of the Observatory, in the Chronicle of June 1, 1843. 

 Yours, respectfully, J. C. B. 



THE PUBLIC BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS, AND WASHINGTON MONU- 

 MENTRECAPITULATIONCONGRESS AND THE CITY OF WASH- 

 INGTON. 



LETTER No. XIII. 



WASHINGTON, March 23, 1844. 



GENTLEMEN : Since the appearance of my last number I have 

 observed by the papers that certain moves have been made in Con- 

 gress, which, from their importance and the immediate bearing on 

 some of the subjects upon which I have dilated for several months 

 past, call for due notice at my hands. 



I allude to the report of Mr. Pratt, of New York, from the Com- 

 mittee on Public Buildings, made the 7th of the present month, 

 and published in your paper of Monday last, and the bill proposed 

 by the same public-spirited gentleman for the erection of a National 

 Monument in this city. 



The report in question, after stating that the Capitol and the 

 grounds are in a good condition, and that the former requires but 

 slight alterations and repairs in the roof and a general coat of paint 

 on its exterior, recommends improvements in the jets d'eau and 

 fountains, as also some trifling ones for the President's House, such 

 as painting the exterior, sundry repairs to its offices, &c. After re- 

 marking that the State and Treasury Departments need but a few 

 unimportant repairs and improvements, it goes on to recommend 

 the erection of an additional, substantial, and fire-proof building 

 on the ground south of the Navy Department, and ranging as near 

 as possible therewith. This building is to be of brick, with a mar- 

 ble portico of six columns, the floors to be of brick, stairways, door 

 jambs, window frames, sash, and shutters to be of iron, and the 

 whole estimated to cost $119,774. The committee recommend an 



