Soon after my return from the
University I wrote
you inclosing the Resolutions entered into by the Committee of Building
Commissioners. When they determined to arrest the progress of the
Main building
at the top
of the first story, they were influenced, as well by the desire of saving the
funds of the Institution, as by a belief, founded upon the information they
then obtained, that the carrying up of the walls to the heighth would consume
all or nearly all the materials on hand, this calculation it now appears has
been very erronious as the walls to the top of the first story will be finished
in a few days & I am informed by M
r
Henderson
that nearly 100,000 bricks and 800 or 1000 bushels shells will
be left on hand, and he has made application to know whether the walls are to
proceed until the materials are exhausted or to be stopped at the top of the
first story — You will observe that the resolution altho' it directs the
building to cease at that height seems also to contemplate that it would
require all the materials on hand — A question therefore arises, whether
we will stop the walls now, with so large a quantity of materials remaining,
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which was not anticipated at the time the
Committee decided on the business, or whether we will [incur] a further expence
of $500, which M
r
Henderson
supposes the workmanship will amount to, besides the rubbing
of Bricks for a Facie which is a very heavy item, and which he wishes us to
decide whether we will retain or omit — If it is retained the building
must stop until rubbed bricks are obtained if it is omitted the wall can be
finished in a month or less to the bottom of the windows of the second story,
for which it is supposed there are sufficient materials, & at which point M
r
Henderson
thinks it
may be left with as much safety as at any other — As to the Facie I
cannot judge of the propriety of retaining or omitting it and I will concur in
whatever directions yourself & Gen
l
Davie
may give — As to the
question whether the walls shall be carried beyond the first story, I think I
can anticipate that your opinion will be in favor of the measure & I have
very little doubt that it would have been the opinion of the Committee if they
had thought so considerable a surplus of materials would have been left after
finishing the first story — I have written to Gen
l
Davie
& expect his answer by the return of
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the mail — As it is probable the workmen
will be idle in a few days I beg you would write me your opinion by return of
the mail — Judge
Moore is now on his
way to the Federal City so that no other Commissioners are within reach
—