The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-02-13
COMMUNICATIONS


The following communication, from the building com
mtee OF the Smithsonian institution. handed to us yes
terlay, excluded b. the unusual press OF matter
We have to-day communication. also from the com
mtee, referred to below having the subject OF the
site under consideration aud shall give it place in our
Mondays paper: M
To the Editor of the Union;
SIR Our attention has been called to an editorial en-
titled Smithsonian institution, in last evenings Union
The objections there made agans, the location OF the
institution on distant portion OF the mall, have much
force 1t cannot be doubted that the utility OF the inst
tuition, far regards the city of Washington, and
those who may visit it, would be greatly diminished BY
interposing between the buildings OF the institution and
the populous portion OF the city, considerable distance
off The pavement OF the city, and that must often be
iraversed, as you remark through mud and darkness
These objections occurred to the Board OF Regents bui
the undersigned submit that there was. in fact, not ei'
TO the board choice IN this matter. With every desire
to accommodate the public well the city IN winch
then institution, by The will OF the tesator, placed.
and to bring its advantages within the easy reach OF
every one who might desire 10 partake in them, the
board no chance of procuring an eligible site on Tins
law organizing the institution, the Patent Office square
was first pointed out the site to be selected, II the
President and his Cabinet and the Commissioners OF Pat
ens consented But they did not consent and 1t they
had the space remaining after deducng what was re-
Quired for the Patent Office itself and prospective
tension, would have been insufficient suitable site
Tor building OF the dimensions demanded to futhl the
requirements of the act organizing the institution. n
You say that you have not examined the map OF the
CITY 10 determine Wneler suitable square cOulu or
could moi be found site for the Smithsonian building
The undersigned have done with care, and they find
not single unoccuped square in the city proper unless
it be Lafayette square, which, oil courses cannot be had
that presents commodous and desirable site for such
building
The trapezium at the foot OF the Capitol grounds has
been spoken oil but besides the objection TO cutting OIL
portion of the view from The Capitol on the mall, and
that too, by looking directly down the roof OF an
ensive building, the ground altogether too low for the
site question, being eight feet below the level of
the avenue.
1t is true that suggestions have been made to
mttee regard to plan BY which, with the concurrent
action OF Congress and of the corporation OF the city one
of the best sites in the city might be procured But as
building committee, have option or jurisdiction
in this matter of the site Our duty is TO carry out the
instructions of the board
There is another committee OF our board, which was
appointed the 5h December last, to 'procure the
PRODUCTION into Congress- if they deem expedient, OF
bill amendatory of the act establishing this institution "
and II is to them, not to us, that any suggestions IN
volvng the action of Congress should be submitted.
They have the matter under consideration, and the
public will soon learn the result
Your suggestion in regard to the publication OF COM
pendulum of the proceedings OF the institution has been
anticipated There is now in the press pamphlet, con-
tanning the report OF the committee organization, the
resolutions embracing the entire plan of organization, as
adopted by the board the will OF the esator, the act
ceptng the bequest and the act Organizing the insttu
ton and of this pamphlet by resolution OF the Board of
Regents twenty copies to be placed at the disposal OF
each member OF Congress for distribution in his district
ROBERT DALE OWEN, )p,,a;nr f,or,n,,oo
WILLIAM J. HOUGH, pun'i's oon'' w.
The remaining member OF the committee has not signed
he conceives permit him, regent and member OF
an executive committee of the Smithsonian Institution,
TO take any step which may affect local interests in the
city. w. w. SEATON.