The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-12-09

and ventilation presented especially in the construction OF
the Hall of Representatives
Operations on the work designed supply this city with
have been suspended for want of funds 1t hoped
that appropriations will longer be withheld from this
important w0rk. | have reason TO change the
opinion that judcously planned and located My
confidence is strengthened tina, il viii be completed at
cost within the estimate and Will secure the object IN
view with certainty, and-laking into view the per-
of the work. its capacity 10 supply future wants
and the absence of machinery enling annual expense
economically than any other msde that has been sug
gested.
BY the civil and diplomatic appropriation act approved
August 1854, this department was authorized 70 pur
chase for 100000 the large reprooi building at the
of and Seventeenth streets which has long been
cupied in by bureaus OF the Treasury Interior
Navy, and War Departments. The lease under which II
was held expired the Both of June and the who
had given the department due notice. refused TO II
for less than $4,000 per annunl, which Congress
had refused to appropriate thorough survey OF the
building made by competent engineers and builders,
who estimated its value in its actual condition. at Sl9I
042 S97 997 and 9S 312 respectively and after some
negotiation the agreed accept the amount of the
appropriation in payment for the building and in satsiac-
ton of all claims for damages and also for arrears OF rent
accrued since the termination OF the leasenearly three
monthswhich could not be paid the act regarded
making appropriation either for purchase rent but
1t is true the plan of the building not considered
the best adapted for public Offices but Congress had refused
to allow the rent demanded by the owner and had thus
left the department alternative but to purchase
it, Between these conditions there was scarcely a
choice Accommodations elsewhere could not be procured
without much difficulty and should nave ie great reluc-
place in insecure buildings the valuable records
stored there of which, if destroyed by fire. could not
be replaced less than the price of the buildng
while Others could be replaced at all The purchase
therefore concluded upon the stated have submit
ted estimate for repairs and improvements sufficient TO
put the building in proper condition Much of the repairs
proposed would have been equally necessary had the
vacated the building instead of purchasing
the lease provided that the building should be restored
good state OF repair The of the additional improve
will hardly exceed the amount of the rent that
released IN the contract OF purchase.
1t is hardly necessary remark that the purchase of this
building in degree obviaes the necessity heretofore fire.
queny presented of replacing the building assigned for
the of this department with freproof structure
The accompanying reports of the Commanding General
of and the chiefs of the several branches Of the
military service contain full and exact information in rea
ton the dates with which they respectively charged
To these refer for such details could not be embraced in
this report.
have the honor to be- very respectfully obedient
servant JEFFERSON DAVIS
Secretary of War.
To the PRESIDENT OF the United States