29 [ 211 ] 



better adaptation of the structure, they may incorporate these in the said 

 specifications; but no addition to the dimensions of the building shall be 

 made, nor any ornament of any kind be added; and the said modifica- 

 tions shall have sole reference to the safety, durability, and adaptation of 

 the building. And the whole amount of the contract for the said build- 

 ing, including the modifications above provided for, shall, under no cir- 

 cumstances, exceed the amount of the original estimates of the architect, 

 to wit: the sum of two hundred and ten thousand dollars, with a per 

 centage not exceeding ten per cent, on the said sum. 



Resolved, That the building committee be also authorized to contract 

 for the warming and lighting of the building ; provided that the contract 

 for th'e above objects shall not exceed five thousand dollars. 



Resolved, That the building committee -be also authorized to contract 

 for the fitting up and furnishing of the buildings of the institution ; pro- 

 vided that the contract for the same shall not exceed twenty thousand 

 dollars. 



Resolved, That the building committee be also authorized to contract 

 for a permanent fence around the grounds belonging to the institution ; 

 provided the contract for the' same shall not amount to more than ten 

 thousand dollars. 



Resolved, That the Secretary of the institution be authorized to con- 

 tract for the necessary chemical and philosophical apparatus, for which' 

 an appropriation of four thousand dollars has heretofore been made. 



Resolved, That the. building committee be authorized to contract for 

 the grading, laying out, and planting of the grounds of the institution ; 

 and that three thousand dollars, in addition to the one thousand dollars 

 heretofore appropriated, be, and the same is hereby, appropriated for that 

 purpose. 



And it being on the one hand desirable that a portion of the buildings 

 to be erecied by the institution be ready for use at an early day, and it 

 being on the other essential to the solidity and durability of a struc- 

 ture of the size required to embrace all the objects specified in the act of 

 Congress, that its erection be gradual and not too rapidly hastened for- 

 ward: Therefore, 



Resolved, That the building committee be instructed to arrange the 

 contracts for the buildings of the institution so that the wings of said 

 building may be completed in two years from the present time, and the 

 whole to be completed in five years. 



Mr. Owen also offered- the following resolution : 



Resolved, That the Executive Committee certify to the Chancellor and 

 Secretary of the board the total amount of debts incurred, contracts en- 

 tered into, and contracts authorized by the board ; and that the Chancel- 

 lor and Secretary, after examination and approval of the same, certify the 

 same to the proper ofiicer of the treasury for payment. 

 The said resolution was read ; when 



Mr. Evans moved to amend the same by adding thereto the following, 

 as an additional resolution : 



Resolved, That the Executive Committee be authorized to receive said 

 payment in treasury notes payable to the order of the Chancellor of the 

 Smithsonian Institution in one year from date, bearing an interest of six 

 percent, per annum ; and that they be further authorized to exch,ange one 

 hundred and fifty thousand dollars of said notes as soon as practicable 



