The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-05-31
NO. I13.

south to NORTH considerable along the whole line
OF base, TO render necessary exterior parape wall
TO conceal from yiew at extremity the rough work
Of the foundation, and at tho other extremity protect
the building from the sliding earth of the adjacent bat
more elevated sidewalk. Had the building been placed
further from the street, the front might have been
eved by sloping bank terrace with the ornament and
refreshing foliage plants and trees after the manner Of
other paris Of the public grounds As the building now
stood the access the front entrance from the street
must be by double fight Of side steps opposite the
centre door. The grade Of the street might be some
what reduced, but not materially TO improve the
convenient approach to the building without great ex.
pcnse.
Had the objections. however, been confined to the
aforementioned particulars, much their occurrence
was TO be regretted, the committee, considering the
progress already made IN the work, and the which
had been incurred would have hestated even in enter
tanning proposition for any nerposition its further
prosecution. But their inquiries necessarily led TO a
consideration fthe plan ~ The structure tself indepen
dent Of regard to its location or proposed connection
with any other building And here, difficulties Of
more serious nature started The principal halls
or passageways appesredto the committee to have been
unnecessarily and inconyeniently contracted Their
width, when finished would be little over nine feet;
space certainly very disproporonaie their great OK
tent and altogether too restricted for the accommoda
ton OF the great number Of occupants and yisters
business, TO the numerous apartments II also
doubted. whether windows of sufficient size could be
introduced into these narrow halls with the aid Of
the transverse passages to render them light and airy
as might be needful.
The plan Of the building also suggested serious
doubts how far The basement and attic Stories would
furnish tit room rooms for occupation by clerks and
those other purposes for which they were wanted
The front range in the basement could receive but
secondary light through the corridor Immediately
under the coonnade, and the front range of The attic
was to be obscured by the frieze and archirave of
the entabature. II was also feared that the base
ment rooms would be damp, and unfit not only for
personal occupation, but if closed, for the keep
ing Of records and papers.
But ouer all, an objection, that the building was
inarlihcialy and insecurity constructed, had been
suggested TO the committee Ofthis they felt them
selves wholly incompetent, by any personal examin-
alton or attention of their own satisfactorily Judge
1t was enough to impress their minds with painful
sense OF responsibility that The durability of Struc-
ture designed for ages and on the thoroughness and
abiding strength OF which was to depend the safety
OF the archives of Government, had already, in its
very process of construction, come 10 be disrusted
and that upon the fidelity Of the committee it might
depend, to arrest in time, the danger of future in
calculable mischief A like suggestion ofmperfect
construction had also been made in reference to the
walls of the new PATENT OFFICE, and increased the
importance of being well advised of the ground and
extent of these objections.
In view of all the foregoing circumstances and
considerations, and adverng to the law of Congress
which referred the selection Of sites the plans for
the buildings and the mode of construction to the d.
rection Of the President Of the United States, the
committee deemed that they should best fulfil the OBJ
legations of duty, by an application TO him, TO APP
point an architect of approved skill and eminence,
TO survey and examine the buildings, and report the
result of his judgment upon the whole matter. Ac
codngly on the llth Of January last they addressed
TO the President the communication, (marked 40
which accompanies and makes part of this report
In compliance with the request of the committee,
the President authorized the employment of Thomas
u, Waller, Esq, Of Philadelphia an architect OF
great distinction, and superintendent OF the constrnc-
ion of the Girard College in that city, for the requir-
ed service. Mr.. Waller, presenting himself to
the committee, was furnished with general instruc.
tons 10 the various objects Of inquiry and especially
directed TO careful examination Of the whole work,
and-a full expression of his opinion thereon His
report, in writing subsequently made to the commit
tee, (and marked b among the papers) is herewith
submitted.
On receiving Mr.. Walters report the committee
thought it due TO Mr.. Mills the architect of the
buildings TO subject il 10 his inspection, and thus af
ford him an opportunity to reply to- or explain, the
objections TO his plans and work which il was found
to contain, A copy was accordingly furnished to
him, and his answer thereto (marked % accumpa-
| MES this report.
The opinions and judgment expressed in the re-
port Of Mr.. Walter, and the reply of Mr.. Mills, being
extremely variant and irreconcilabe, the committee
sought information more in detail, from Mr. Brown,
the principal sone-mason, and MIR. Wood, the head
carpenter, employed upon the work. The oral COM
munications OF these gentlemen have been properly
regarded in the conclusions to which the committee
were ultimately brought. They were also assisted
by representations both oral and written from Nj
William Archer, master builder, formerly in the
employ ofthe Government.
While the subject was yet under consideration il
came TO the knowledge of the committee, that Alex
ander Paris, Esq. Of Boston, professional archi-
ect, of deserved celebrity, particularly and highly
recommended to the employment of the Government
in another branch Of the public service in The
city, to whose judgment and decision might benef-
cially be referred the differing and conflicting opin
ions of Mr. Walter and Mr.. Mills. Mr.. Paris
was, witha not only distinguished for science in his
profession but for skill and success as practical
artisan. He had constructed numerous public and
private edifceS, and, more recently, had been engag
ed as an assistant to Colonel Baldwin, on the dry
docks at Charestown Massachusetts, and Gosport,
Virginia, and was particularly conversant with the
business OF stone masonry. 10 obtain the aid OF The
advice of this gentleman TO their own deliberations
was the wish of the committees and with the appro-
baton of the President, he was engaged TO resurvey
and examine the character OF the whole work. The
reports of Mr. Walter and MIR. Mills were put into
his hands, and the points of difference was fully
made known 10 him. The instructions given TO him
BY the committee, (marked ID and his subsequent
report (marked E. make further parts OF his report
The committee have been thus particular in The
history Of their proceedings that the House may be
better enabled TO determine the degree of confidence
which should at ach TO their results. 1t is proper,
in this connection, 10 state that early in the course OF
the foregoing inquiries, and before any report had
been received from Mr.. Walter, the committee OF
the House had been joined by the committee Of the
Senate under the resolutions OF the respective
branches, authorizing a cooperation and concur
renee in the discharge of their common duties; and
that afterwards, in all matters touching the subject
Of this report the two committees acted together and
in concert As there has been an entire agreement
by crcry member of each committee in the opinions
and Judgment hereafter expressed they are 10 be re-
ceived as the issue Of the mutual consultations and
Joint advice of all.
The committee, then, have come 10 the following
conclusions: