The Portland daily press., 1872-04-05


To the Editor of the Press:
The Collector in his interesting address on
Monday evening, speaking of the erection OF
the present building said
Upon a representation of the situation to
Mr.. Chase, Secretary of the Treasury, by Judge
Clifford and himself, in 1864, he recommended
the erection of a new Custom House upon the
part of the present site then owned by the
United States, and Congress made an appropri-
ton towards it. Afterwards the plan of the
building was changed, and that upon which it
was finally erected was adopted-additional
land having been purchased therefor at a cost
of $780, 900 1t is perhaps not improbable that
| the fact of the great fire in 1866 had something
to do with the readiness with which the appro-
prations were made by Congress- There was
deep and pervading sympathy for Portland,
and the thought that the appropriations for
the Custom House and Post Office would give
| employment to needy and destitute men, and
would help the city to tide over the shoal of it's
| affiiction, no doubt had its influence with menu
bers OF Congress, as similar thought has re-
Gently had in the case of dismantled Chicago
| 1t became the people of Portland he drought,
to recognize this fact, and acknowledge the
| practical friendship and sympathy that had
been extended by the government"
The Collector has, think, forgotten one i'm
portant circumstance in reference to the change
OF plan and purchase of additional land for the
present site, and am sure he has fallen into
an error in regard to the influence of the fire on
the action of Congress.
In 1864, plans and specifications for the
building, as recommended by Judge Clifford
and Gov. Washburn on that part of the pres
ent site thon owned by the United States, had
been made, proposals invited by the govern
ment, bids received, opened and decided on,
and nothing remained, 1 believe, but the settle
ment of some minor points, to delay the COM
pletion of the!contract for Custom House of
the same length as the present noble building,
but of only about half its width, which would
have been out of proportion and unsuitable.
This small building was to have cost about
100000, and would have had no light in the
northeast side.
Just at this point, Hon. John Lynch-who at
that time had been elected to Congress but had
not taken his seat-originated the idea of
curing for the United States the entire lot en-
closed between the four streets, so that build
ing of suitable size and perfect symmetry could
be built, commanding light and air on all sides.
This, however, involved the extinction of the
title of two proprietors, and the purchase of
two lots with brick stores and other buildings
thereon. Mr.. Lynch brought the matter to the
attention of the Board of Trade at meeting
called to consider the subject, and urged the
importa nee of obtaining the whole square, and
securing the erection of building of architec-
tural proportions and suitable to the future
needs of Portland.
The result was memorial to Mr.. Fessenden,
then Secretary of the Treasury, to suspend ac-
ton until arrangements could be made for the
purchase OF the balance of the square, and a
vote requesting Mr.. Lynch to proceed to Wash
lngton and confer personally with the Secreta-
ry in regard to the adoption of new plans for
the building.
Having accomplished this object, Mr.. L.
started subscription for the purchase of the
lands and buildings, which was proceeding sue
cessfully when an unexpected difficulty came
near defeating the whole scheme Messrs
Brown, Jose and others, proprietors of Rich
ardson's Wharf, conceived the idea of obtain
ing for the United States a square lot farther
up Commercial street, between Centre and
Cross streets, and went so far as not only to Sc
cure the title but to obtain the cession of the
State sovereignty, whereupon the Government
Architect came from Washington to examine
the lot and arrange about the plans.
Mr.. Lynch, however, persevered in his origi-
nal scheme with such success, that he finally
obtained a subscription of $780, 900 from our citi-
zens, which was paid, and Congress thereupon
appropriated $4,000 more, making the $685.
600 to which the Collector refers. This sum
suffced to buy all the required land, complet-
ing the square now covered by the new custom
house.
This settled the question of the size and gen
eral features of the building; all which was as
sured before the fire. The deeds were given to
be sure, in August, or September 1S66-al-
though the bonds were taken long before. 1t
is therefore clear that the citizens of Portland
are not indebted to the fire for the fine proper
tons OF the new custom house, but the infiu-
ence OF Senator Fessenden in securing the
adoption of enlarged plans and liberal appro-
priatons, the efforts of Mr. Lynch, the zeal
and energy of the Board of Trade and the liber-
atty of wealthy and philosophical gentlemen
of the city, who gave $4,000 for this laudable
purpose
Congress has indeed dealt generously with
Portland in the matter; but it is also true that
our citizens have deserved all that tle,, hs-e
celved. VINDEX