THIRTY-EIGHTH CONGRESS, 1863-1865. 641 



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FIRE AT SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION. 



February 2, 1865 Senate. 



The Senate passed the following: 



Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring) , That the Committee 

 on Public Buildings and Grounds of the Senate, conjointly with the Committee on 

 Public Buildings and Grounds of the House of Representatives, be, and they are 

 hereby, directed to inquire into the origin of the fire by which the Smithsonian Insti- 

 tution building and the valuable deposits therein were, on Tuesday, the 24th day of 

 January, in whole or in part, destroyed; the approximate loss to the Government 

 and to private persons; the means necessary to preserve the remaining portions of 

 said building and its contents from further injury, and such other facts in connection 

 therewith as may be of public interest, and to report by bill or otherwise. 



February 2, 1865 House. 



The concurrent resolution from the Senate of February 2 was 

 passed. 

 February 21, 1865 Senate. 



Mr. SOLOMON FOOT submitted a report: 

 The Joint Committee of the Senate and House of Representatives on' 



Public Buildings and Grounds, to which was referred the resolution 



passed February 2, 1865, respectfully report 



That they visited the building, inquired into the origin of the fire, 

 the character and extent of the loss sustained, and requested the 

 Regents, through the Secretary, to furnish a written report on the 

 subject of investigation. In accordance with this request the follow- 

 ing report was presented: 



REPORT OF THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF REGENTS OF THE SMITHSONIAN 

 INSTITUTION RELATIVE TO THE FIRE. 



The special committee appointed by the Board at its meeting on January 28, 1865, 

 to inquire into the origin of the fire at the Smithsonian Institution, to ascertain the 

 extent and character of the loss sustained, and to make suggestions as to what 

 measures should be adopted for the repair and improvement of the building, respect- 

 fully report that they have performed the duty assigned them, so far as the time and 

 their means of information would permit. 



I. THE ORIGIN OF THE FIRE. 



The testimony has been taken of all persons connected with the establishment 

 that had any knowledge of the occurrence, and a written account of the whole is 

 herewith submitted; also a report from Col. B. S. Alexander, United States Army, 

 who superintended the fireproofing of the main building, of his examination of the 

 flues connected with the accident. 



It is evident from the concurrent testimony thus obtained that the fire commenced 

 in the southwest part of the roof of the main building, in the woodwork immediately 

 under the slate covering, and that it was kindled by the heated air or sparks from a 

 stove which had been temporarily placed in the room immediately below. The pipe 

 of this stove had been inserted by mistake into a brick furring-space resembling a 

 flue, which opened under the rafters instead of into the chimney flue, within a few 

 inches of the latter. By whom the hole into which the pipe was inserted was orig- 

 H. Doc. 732 41 



