The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-03-03
ARchlTEcT's OFFICE, U. S, CAPITOL,
Nv asdI II nano...I..

ARchiTEcT's OFFICE, U. S, CAPITOL,
WAsHiseToS, ID. C., December %, 1851.
SIR: have the honor TO lay before you the fol.
LOWING report OF the progress and of the pub
&c works under my charge, with such Suggestions
as 20 'her future prosecution as the present occa
sion seems to require,
las Extension Of the Capitoi-The general design
ano outlines OF this work were decided on by the
President OF the United States on the 10th of June
East; and IN accordance with his instruct tons
proceeded, without delay, to prepare the necessary
drawings, ana TO make arrangements for com.
menclug the work.
The corner. stone was laid at noon on tho i,b
day OF July last, by the President, with appropri
ate ceremonies, since which time the work ma =
progressed with as much rapidity as the Character
OF lhe structure and proper regard for its sta.
olilty and permanency, would warrant
The outside walls, which rrc e;~hf feet nina
lhches broad at the base, and elk feet nine inches
thick above the tootings, sva founded at the dcntb
o. hiteeh ieet below the Surface of the ground on
the eastern front, aud in some parts of the
front they reach ,he depth of forty feet In cone
quence OF the Capitol having been erected on the
western prov OF the orr inal hili and the present
terraces 2 sing made ground, this extraordinary
pPNu " foundation became necessary, as it vas
nishiJ important that every part of the work
sho'dd be founded on the natural undisturbed
'rth, and which have the satisfaction to say has
been accomplished
Nearly all the outside foundation walls have
etone work Such portions of these walls as now
appear above the ground will be covered by the
TERRACES winch are TO correspond in height and
general design % those which embellish the pres
ent Capitol
The building stone which have been laid 10 the
foundations, since the commencement of the work
amount 10 eighteen thousand perches all of which
nave been furnished by contract; aud the lime
rAnu' and cement have been supplied in the same
10 amer The excavations and stone- masonry
have been done by days work men, under the
superintendence OF Mr.. Samuel Strong whose me
chanical skill and energy, in the discharge of his
duties, are manifested by the amount of work has
that has been accomplished, as well az by its exc
cution.
DESCRIPTION Of the Dssign.-9he present building
Is three hundred and fftytwo feet four inc hes from
horth 10 south, and one hundred and twenty-one
feet SIX inches from east to west with portico of
one hundred and sixty feet In width on the eastern
front, and a projection the western front of
eghty.t three feet, embracing a recessed portico of
Ken columns, which constitute the facade of the
library.
The extension Of the Capitol consists of two wing
buildings placed at the north and south ends of
the present structure at the distance Of fory four
ieet from H. with connecting corridors, Each
building Is one hundred and iUrty two feet eight
inches front, from north to south, oy two hundred
and thirty eight feet in, hes deep from east IA
west, eGclusiye Of the portions and stems; the cor
rldors consist oi passages leading from the centre
building TO the wings, of twenty-one feet four
Ih0hes IN "ld'h, Win outside colonnades which
make the entire width Of each corridor ffty.si1
feet eight U.ches
Inc wing buildings have porticos on the cast
'front.' 'Itending the whole width, with a flight of
steps to each, corresponding TO the steps OF the
present Capitol. Each OF these porticos has a
CO ntre projection of ten feet four Dches by seventy
eight feet IN width; thus forming double uortic,
IN the centre OF the fsoade similar in general de-
sign to that of the present eastern portico There
is Alec portico on the west front a each vim,
To-. ME l.l
projecting ten feet Elk nchcs; and on the north
ana south fronts pOrticOs Of the same projection
each OF which u one hundred and twenty one fcei
Tour inches IN width
The whole extent Of the buldings, from north >,
south, when finished, will be seven hundred and
my one lcet lour inches, and the Cfcatcst width
rom east To west, including poftcos and steps H.
three hundred and twenty four feet
ne ground actually covered by the buildings
including the portcos and stcps and exclusive OF
we oourt yards IL l5J liz square feet or sir hun
dfcd and htty two square feet more than thT,e and
a hGy aert'i OF which there il covered by the pres
ont building 81 POI square feet and Nv the pe~,
wings aud corridors 1871.
lhe architecture Of the exterior is designed 90
correspond m tie principal features 90 that Of the
present building, and The disposition Of tue various
fnts i intended to present che appearance of one
HARMONIOUS structure, and % impart dignity 20 the
present building, rather Than 60 interfere With BE-
proportions o' dc'ract from its grandeur and
beauty.
The PRINCIPAL entrance to each wing is on th,
eastern lto'ii the sppfoach 60 At 10 by means u a
hight Of thirty. nine sieps, thanked by nassy check
DOCKS similar 10 thOsc Oi the present. building
win VaUlted carriage way below 20 enter The
easement. The front door opens into yestlbulc
% twenty seven feet IN width leading into A hail
hity hive feet square, lighted from the roof aud
'mbeilshed by twenty bic columns support
ing an entablature and balustradc: the co!onnade
"ill support the galleries for approaching The If.
nee ia We second story. These halls will DC en-
"a INA ~. 10 "a.
si9fi's, aud lighted by ornamental stained glass
skyighis' supported ~ iron raltcrs.
ffoh esrh ball a vauited passage, of twenty Elk /.
ettch iuches In width, leads into corridor Of
'N'nJ ihrec ieet FIX inches, running across each
Nlhg from north 10 south, and uniting It with the
en'rc building.
The Hall Of Representative occupies The western
hAn 81 The south wing and IL lighted on three sdes
y MY Sind"Ws. Iis dimensions arc one hundred /.
ana thlfty ieet from north % south, aud ninety.
teVcn icet ten inches IRON east 10 Vcst The cell.
ing " tbiry five feet ia hcg ht, deeply gaueilcd
ana ofnsmcntcd with brackets. pen aants. and en-.
Tioh'd mOuidings; the pancis will BE- filled in with
Whameutal glaze, through which light will h.
tfsrsnittcd from skyliabu in the roof
The hyOr VI the HOJsc is large enough q accom-.
IDOdstc four hundred members with separate deaka
ana ailo" ample spacs for lobbies and seats for /
distinguished vsitors while al the saue ti,,,, IA
may be conveniently adapted to the number n
representatives, which az present constitute this /
branch Oithe Legislaturc
lhc galleries Tor spec tat0rs extend around three
sdes Of the Hall, and are designed to accommodate
Twelve hundred persons they are approached Ly 4
two spacious flights 81 marble stair.
be southern snd Vestsrn pJrt.cOs open into /
we Hal, and will be appropriated exclusively o.
voc zee Of thc members, and such o. have the priv
legc ot TIC hOof ri the House
ibe Senate Chambcr b. located in the western .
hall OF ne north wing, and is lghied on the north
ana west ~ twenty FIX windows. IT, Dimensions
are seventy ieet six inchss by ninety seven ff,t
Ten inches the ceiling Is thirty FIVE feet m hegbt
with sunkcn panels and CrneuIeuts similar 60 moo
81 the House 81 Representative already dtacribcd
There s ample room IN this Hall Tor separate .eat-
Tor one hundred Senators, allowing Al the $40,
time all the space that will ever b. required for M
bies and the accommodation of distinguished Wei. i
tors.
The galleries, like those Of the Hall Of Repre- /
sehtstvos, occupy three sides Of the chamber, sni
contain accommodations for twelve hundred per /
sons; They are apprOa he'd by tao ghts Of marble
stair. hike those Of ihe south wing. The Pailcries
OF Zach Of TIE hall. have fU, spacious dOoreays.
winch VIII afford Ingrsss aud cgrcss without I
cf0"dnE, OF causing Inconvenience ~ tbc audi /
cncc o. disturbance 60 the memDers
The whole number Of rooms m both wiu0s. er /
olusiyc Of tho legislative halle, D. one hundred and
one, all OF which are yauItod WITH brI,ks aud rem
dcrcd completely trc-prJof Ninety. five Of these
lerhf cd 81 10, a., a..