The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-02-27

you presi,!e the IOiIowlng annual report showing
"the manucr in which all appropriations for the
public bu.iings and grounds have been applied"
80 far as J,oy have under my charge. To
this have added accommodation Of certain OBJ
jects for improvement durI e the next fiscal year
In compliance with the provisions Of an act Of
Congress approved on 2lst July. ls4O. have sub
mitted to the Committee on Public Buildings and
Grounds all estimates proposed for the service of
this Office for the remainder of the present. and for
the next fiscal year.
have the honor to be your very obedient SER
want,
(signed) WIN. EASILY,
Commissioner of Public Buildings.
Report.
PUBLIC GRoUNps
On entering upon the duties of my Office, found
persons employed under contracts made with
my predecessor, MIR. Mudd. in cutting road ways
and filing up low places the MAIL" and on
.'grounds south of the Presidents House." Being
informed by A. J. Downing, esq, the gentleman
whom the President Of the United States had ap-
pointed as rural architect upon the public grounds,
that the contractors were doing work which, in the
execution of the plan adopted by the President
might prove TO be unnecessary, notified the con-
tractors to discontinue their operations Mr.
Downing thereupon assumed the of these
grounds and has made great progress in their i'm
provement. After completing the enclosures
around these squares which Mr.. Mudd had COM
menced, my charge of them ceased, except 30 far
as was necessary to set the curb and gravel the
footway the west side of 18th and 4th streets;
a special appropriation having been made for nav
ing the carriage way of these streets where they
pass through the Mall
understand tina, Mr. Downing has prepared es-
Inmates for the funds necessary 10 prosecute the
improvement of these grounds according to the
very appropriate design adopted by the President
The appropriation made by act Of Congress, ap-
proved Both September. 1850, for improving La
jayefte Square. has alec been expended under the
direction OF Mr.. Downing, who has, believe, asked
for means to continue that work.
have estimated for iron fence around the
square as indispensable for its protection the old
wooden fence being nearly destroyed.
Franklin Square has been filled up and graded
The work done by contract, and. upon set
tiement with the contractor, it was found that his
account, including compensation TO a superintend-
ent employed for short time by the rural archi.
tect, exceeded the amount appropriated by the
sum of S406 SO. have asked for the means of
paying this deficiency, and have also estimated for
an iron fence around the.sqoare.
Triangular Spaces on Psnnsylpania Apenus One
Of these spaces the north eide of Pennsyvania
avenue, between 18th and l4th streets, has been
enclosed under the direction Of the rural architect
with a substantial cast-iron fence, placed on a
granite coping. have estimated for enc losing
four of these spaces.
Grounds North, South, and Vsst of the Capitol -
Norfh.--The Improvements on these grounds con-
east OF Delaware avenue, partially filling in the
large square between the circular road and
street and making line Of fence on the front
Of that square; and grading and gravelling New
Jersey avenue aud North Capitol stroct where they
pass between the public squares
Souh.-ln taking up and reiAying pavement
and curb front OF the triangulor spa. bei xeen
A and u streets, and gf aiding and Rraycinue one
of the spaces, relsying flag ootways, and partially
filing the square south Of the circular road.
West taking up and RESTING two hundred
feet of curb and pavement on the south side of
Pennsylvania avenue; trimming and gravelne
the east front OF the Botanic Garden. and removing
and replacing the ionce on the south side OF the
same; filling earth on the garden square when it
has been offered st low price, and filling in tri-
angular space on the 0outh side of MARYLAND ave
nue., east of the canal. There yet remains OF the
appropriation for these objects 1929 81 unsx-
pended
No appropriation has been made for the lsst two
years for the improvement OF the Botanic Garden
squsre. have now presented estimates for come
additional buildings or the plants and for iilingup
draining, and laying out the square in a suitable
manner The sum asked ~ all that will be neces-
ssry for the improvement Of this ground, until IL
shall be the pleasure of Congress TO enclose Il with
iron fence.
Re,opahon No. 1.-THE part Of this reservation
lying between New Jersey avenue and % street.
and north OF Virginia avenue, has been enclosed
with n substantial wooden fence, and the ground
graded TO the extent Of the money Appropriated
part OF the same reservation, lying ON the ,resf
n
cite Of the P,A,c Nwssry. IL has been suitably
enclosed. aud stream Of water conducted TO il by
permission OF the beirs of the late Daniel Carroll OF
Duddington, from n spring on their mansion
grounds. Tbis square OF ground 10 now ready for
the use for which II was enclosed.
pEphR or rHs CAPITOL kTc
Under this head the appropriations for the fscal
year ending Both June. 1851, embraced the com
pensston of public gardener. laborers on the pub.
lie grounds, additional wstchmen and gate keeper,
and the purchase Of trecs and manure, the relay
ing and repairing Of flag psvements the ter
races. beside the casual repair Of the Capitol. Up
to that time the salary Of the officers mentioned
was paid from that appropriation, ne well az casual
rcpairs Since that period the expenditures for
the repair of the Capitol and ils sppendsges have
been kept in a distinct account.
An unusual amount has been expended during
the Last year on the Capitol, it's terraces and
grounds. This wes contemplated by my prede
eessor in asking for, and by Congress in granting,
a suitable appropriation in money. The copper
covering Of the several domes aud roofs were es-
tensively repaired, and fear that from natural
causes they will require constant attention. One
Of the skyligbts over the House of Representa-
uvcs has been renewed, and new skyhghts con
sructed over the passage to the water OF the
House.
On the floor of the third story Of the north wing
.76t feet of German tile has been laid, and 3l9
feet in the lobby of the Senate chamber. The floors
of the occupied by the Secretary Of the Sen
ate have been covered with cement
The action Of frost upon the terraces and flag
footweys approaching the Capitol had rendered a
considerable amount of repairs necessary upon
them and the appropriation Of the Both Sept 1850,
required that they should be made The Tagging
and coping Of the upper western terrace has been
taken up and relsid in water proof cement substi
tuting stone where the old was unfit. The large
platform the arch at the west entrance has
been repaired and reset. The two flights of steps
descending from the lower terrace and those de
scending from the upper terrace have all been
paired On the lower terrace 3bs6 square feet of the
hagging has been relsid, ma ON the one above; and
the flag footvey leading from the base Of the lower
terrace 10 the western gate and the cut. stone gut
ters both sides OF IL, have been repaired as well
as could be without ncurring the expense Of re-
dressing and reiaying the whole OF IL. The stone
blocking erected in tho crypt some years since. to
support the statue of Washington on the floor Of
the rounda bas been removed, restoring the crypt
/ to its original beauty. The stone pavement un-
der the east portico has been 80 far removed ss to
| allow tracks for carriage wheels 10 be laid with
block. Of ocust timber, thereby avoiding the very
| inconvencnt noise produced by carriages when
passing over n stone pavement under an arcade 30
closely connected with the building ne this is. In
the eastern park 1900 feet of new brick gutter has
been laid on the walks, and the walks all hand.
| Hal L.