Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-12-31
Commissioner of Public Buildings
ARcHITEcT's OFFICE, U. S CApIroL,


SIR In compliance with the request contained i:
your letter OF this morning have examined the Cap
ltol in reference to the origin OF The FIRE which took
place in the Libraty OF Congress the morning Of
the 9th Instant, snd find that caused by the
timbers which formed the alcoves of The Library hav.
Ing been inserted in the chimney fues
On examining the holes in the brick wall which
have been exposed by the removal of the burnt tim
bers, found opening. of about two inches by the
thickness OF brick, into of the ues near where
the fire discovered. The chimneys from the low
er rooms were then examined, and it was found thai
the ue from the room OF the Committee of the Sen.
ate on Indian Affairs had been recently burnt out.
chimney. sweep was sent up this file and found the
opening into the Library alluded His voice was
heard at the aperture in the chimney and he brought
down with him portion of he burnt timber that hao
protruded into the flue.
Large wood fires ale made in the committee rooms
very early every morning and the shut up until
they are occupied by the committees. This chimney
must have taken fire while the room was thus closed
and burnt out without beng observed, as might east
~ be the Gaze with any of the ehimneys in the build
ing.
opinion that the fate OF the Library depended on this
chimney II it had taken fire years ago the result
wosld have been the same The timbers were too far
above the fireplace 10 be set fire in any other way
than by The burning of the chimney, aad such an
event could not have occurred at any time without
communicating FIRE to the Library.
The alcoves oil the Library were formed of ,imbers
filled in with ''brick-nogging." The horizontal piece
Were let into the walls Tor the purpose of strenghe
lng the structure, thus affordlng the of COM
municaung the FIRE TO the vertical scantIing one OF
which placed against the wall in each partition
The evidences of the fire having occurred in this
way are too conclusive 10 admit OF doubt, and are
sufficient to remove all from those who have
charge of the building; no human iorethought or vig
lance could, under the circumstances have prevented
the catastrophe.
am, sir, very respectfully, your obedent seryaa
THOS q. WALTER,
Architect Of U. S. Capitol
LIsRAxY OF CoaGsEss. Dec Is, 1851
II Is my painful duty to communicate TO Congress-
the destruction of the books paintings satuary, me
dals and other property IN the principal saloon OF heh
Library, yesterday morning, by fire. which orsinatedi
IL the room IN Inaaaer 10 me, altogether unaccoRnt-j
able fires had been used in ii for long time I
and no candles, lamps or other lights have beenh
used in it durns the whole time that it has been
der my charge.
have not been able 10 ascertain the precise num-
Der OF the books which were destroyed, but believed
that it may be estimated about thirty five thousand
1t IS very gratifying TO have 1t in my power to addH
that about twenty thousand Volumes Of books which
were IN the law room, and IN two rooms adjoining the
Library, are safe,
Many of these books belonged to the library of the
late President Jefferson, and were purchased by Con-
gress IN the year 1915. They constitute the several
chapters 10 ths catalogue OF the Library agreeaby
Mr. JeHerson's classification, under the folowinsE
heads: Ancient History, American History, Eccesi-z
ascal History. Chemistry, Mneralogy and Concho- (
iogy, Moral Philosophy Laws of Nature and Nations &
the FIVE chapters Composing the law department. off
the Library Religion, Politics. Gncludng the Science
OF Legislation Political Economy, Commerce, Bank 4
log Statistics, &C.,. pant OF the chapter Archiec
tuTe, and the entire chapters Music Dialogue sndr
Epistolary; Logic, Rhetoric and Oraiens; and The &
Theory OF Criticism. 4
sincerely hope thai the searching Investigations
Congress Will give to the distressing event. which every
lover OF science aud literature will deeply deplore, 3
willie 10 detection Of Inc causes that produced y
and 10 the adoption OF nesns that will prevent in slla
future time, recurrence Of the sal eaamiiy.
With the most respectful reaara have the honor to
be your obedient servant.
JOHN 5. MEEHAN Librarian. Il
TO the Hon. Linn Boyd Speaker OF .ze United States
House Of Representatives. e
James T. Suster ESQ, formerly Ptssideat of then
Virginia Bank in Norfolk. has been appointed Cash Z