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appropriation of $28,275 to purchase certain lots and buildings 

 necessary to the complete arrangement of the General Post Office, 

 as also the erection of one of the wings to the main building of the 

 Patent Office, as contemplated in the original plan, the same to be 

 constructed of granite, and state that the office has on hand a fund 

 which is very nearly sufficient to defray the expense attending the 

 building in question. An appropriation (sum not named) is also 

 recommended for the enlargement of the conservatory for the cul. 

 tivation and preservation of the rare and curious plants of the 

 Exploring Expedition. It is also recommended that the Mall be 

 fenced in and planted. 



The bill referred to proposes to erect a monument of three sto- 

 ries, the crypt or basement to contain the Statue of Washington 

 by Greenough, (now lodged in a mere shed and which is an eye- 

 sore in the Capitol grounds,) with niches for the busts of the 

 Presidents of the United States ; the second story niches for statues 

 of the illustrious men of the country ; and the third to be a gallery 

 for paintings, historical and national. The monument is to be 120 

 feet high, of the same size as the Rotundo, (100 feet in diameter,) 

 the whole to be completed in eighteen months, cost $100,000. It 

 is proposed to call upon the Washington Monument Society of this 

 city for an appropriation of the funds collected and on hand (say 

 $48,000) to aid in this work. I have seen the sketch made by Mr. 

 Strickland, of Philadelphia, and consider it well adapted to the 

 great national object in view. His name is a sufficient warranty in 

 the matter. 



I am particularly delighted to find that a move has been made 

 in this last mentioned matter, as it confirms and agrees with the 

 suggestion which I had the honor of making in my letter number 

 VIII, and of urging upon the attention of Congress and the people 

 as one of the utmost importance and practicability. I congratulate 

 the country that it has in the legislative councils of the nation a man 

 who, amid the storms and tumult of political and party excitement, 

 has the patriotism and good taste to direct his attention to matters 

 so interesting and important. It reflects equal honor upon his head 

 and heart. The people of the whole country should feel interest- 

 ed in a prompt action on the subject-matter of the report and bill 

 in question, and the inhabitants in this District ought, whilst ex- 

 pressing their gratitude for this attention to their immediate wants 



