The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-03-02
ARcHITEcT's OFFICE, u. S. CAPITOL,

w AbhlNGTONs ~. y ~, looZ.
SfR: In compliance with the request contained
in your letter Of the 9th ultimo, have made
examination of the Capitol, in reference TO the
ten; Of the injury done to the building by the burn
ing Of tho library Of Congress, and the beet means
Of repairing the damage. have likewise prepared
plans for reconstructing the library, which sro
herewith submitted
In view of the irreparable los. the country has
sustained by the destruction OF the old library,
have considered IL an indispensable element, in the
design now presented, TO use no combustible mate
rails whatever in my part of the work. the alcovcs
cases galleries, doors, wisiow- shutters, ceilings,
and the brackets that support them, all designed
TO be Of cast iron; the shelves for the books OF
thick glass, or enamelled iron; the framing OF the
roof oi wrought iron; the shenthng OF copper, and
the floor OF stone. In library thus constructed,
fire will be out Of the question, and the matcrinls Of
which it is formed will not be subject 20 decay nor
deterioration -
BY the plans here proposed il is contemplated to
enlarge the library 70 embrace the entire west
ern projections; this will give a room Of twenty
nine feet Elk inches by seventy feet two inches at
each cud Of the original library, extending TO tho
roof, lighted by skyghts, with two additional
apartments, each eighteen feet sX inches by thirty
five feet, for private reading rooms for Senators
and members OF the House Of Representatives re-
spectvcly; thus making suite OF foe roofns, cin-
bracing an extent Of three hundred and two feet.
II will not, however, be possible 10 carry out the
entire plan until accommodations arc provided in
the wings for tho officers OF Congress and com
mittccs now occupying the north and south rooms
Of the western projection; therefore propose TO ht
up tho old library according to the plans without
changing its dimensions, and TO complete the arch
ways intended TO lead into the end rooms, leaving
a sufficient thickness OF wall remaining TO separate
the library and the said until the proper time
arrives for carrying out the entire design
In this portion OF the plan, which, "a before re-
marked, constitutes the reconstruction Of the old H.
brary, there will be two stories Of alcOvcs the second
story rccedng three feet from the front Of those
below, so MS to admit OF forming gallery on top
with but little projections the same arrangement
will be repeated the top of tho second story al
coves, as to form a gallery to the third story,
which will consist of against the wall, with
divisions and Ornamental pilasters corresponding
to tho openings below. The galleries will oil DO
protected by continuous ratings OF iron. Tho
oors Of the galleries will consist Of csstron plates,
and the approach 10 them will be by means Of two
scmicircuar stairways formed of iron and recessed
in the end walls.
Zach Of the lower alcoves will be enclosed by or
nameutnl iron gates.
The ceiling will be composed OF thin iron plates,
cnst with deep sunkcn panels, filled in with
richcd mouldipgsaud centre ornaments.
The room will be lighted in addition to the win
dowsin tho west front by eight skylights each elk
feet square in the clear, making two hundred and
eighty eight square feet Of glass. Each skylight
viii be flied IN with ornamentcd glass, forming
part Of the design Of thc ceiling, and protected on