256 The Smithsonian Institution 



sonic apron presented to Washington by the Grand Lodge 

 of France through General Lafayette, also worn by Wash- 

 ington on the earlier occasion. A prayer was offered up 

 by Grand Chaplain Mcjilton, of the Grand Lodge of 

 Maryland. 



An address was delivered by Chancellor Dallas and a 

 national salute was fired by the Columbia artillery, while the 

 band played a national air. Benediction was then pro- 

 nounced by the Reverend French S. Evans, "and thus," 

 writes a witness, "were concluded the ceremonies of the 

 day, which were witnessed by at least six or seven thousand 

 persons." 1 



Although the time estimated as necessary for the comple- 

 tion of the building was five years, considerable progress had 

 been made before the end of 1847. The work was carried 

 on under the superintendence of James Renwick, Jr., the 

 architect, and of Robert Mills, assistant architect. 



In April, 1849, the east wing of the building was ready for 

 occupation by the Secretary and his staff, and before the 

 end of the year the west wing was also completed and was 

 being temporarily fitted for occupation by the library. 



During the year 1850 the work continued on the interior 

 of the center building, but as the committee had adopted a 

 resolution, "directing the interior of the center building to 

 be constructed in fire-proof, and that the time be extended 

 until the accumulating interest would be sufficient to meet 

 the additional expense," the completion of the building pro- 

 ceeded very slowly. As far as the employment of fire-proof 

 material was concerned, the committee wisely argued that 

 the additional cost would be repaid by the permanence of the 



1 Second Annual Report, pages 132-143, Smithsonian Institution, May I, 1847," by 



where the address of the Chancellor is given. George M. Dallas, Chancellor of the Institu- 



It was reprinted as "Address delivered on tion. Washington: Printed at office of Blair 



occasion of Laying the Cornerstone of the & Rives. 1847, October. Pages 1-8. 



