Martinsburgh Gazette

CONGRESS.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Monday, November 21.

PUBLIC BUILDINGS.

Mr. Lewis of Va. from the committee on the subject, made the following Report:

The committee to whom was referred a resolution directing them to enquire into the expediency of rebuilding or repairing the Public Buildings, &c. report, that among the first steps deemed necessary in discharge of the duties assigned them, they caused the Superintendant of the City to lay before them the reports of several Architects and Mechanics of reputed skill and character, who had at his request examined the remains of the Public Buildings, all of whom reported as their opinion, that, the walls generally had not been materially damaged, and were not rendered unsafe, or insufficient, to rebuild on, conformably either to the former plan, or to some variations suggested, or such as may be adopted as improvements in the rebuilding.

These reports were accompanied by estimates of various amounts, forming an average of 458,000 dollars. The whole first cost of these buildings, appears to have been 912,110 10 cents.

With the view of better understanding the grounds, and probable accuracy of the Reports and Estimates, the committee attended personally at the Capitol, and examined the state of that Building, where, after a conference, and making such inquiries of an architect on the spot, as were considered proper, they were induced to believe, that the walls of both wings of the Capitol may be safely built on, and that the estimated expence of about 250,000 dollars for repairing the same, was as nearly accurate, and as much to be relied on, as could be reasonably expected, or as circumstances either admitted or required.

With the foregoing information, the committee proceeded to a due and general consideration of the subject matter referred to them, and readily came to the decision, that it was expedient, either to repair the late Buildings, or to build others in their stead on different sites; but as it appears that the latter could not be effected without incurring a great additional expence, so much greater (as the committee conceived) than would be counterbalanced by any "public interest or convenience" to be derived from a "change of sites," they were of opinion that it would be inexpedient to make such a change. Connected with this part of the duty prescribed by the committee, it may not be improper that they should state to the house the representations of sundry individuals, who alledge, and offer to prove, that the designation of the present sites by President Washington, who possessed full power, having been always considered by him as part of the permanent plan of the city, they purchased at very advanced prices, and improved lots on the faith of those designations near those sites, the supposed permanency whereof has ever since sustained the value of all adjacent and contiguous property; but that if those sites were now to be altered or abandoned, without some 'equivalent public establishment being made thereon, they apprehend that this property would become comparatively valueless during the lifetimes of the present holders at least. The committee however desire it to be understood, that other views and considerations having induced their decision on this member of the resolution under which their enquiries were directed, they did not enter into the discussion of, or give any opinion on the force or validity of these considerations.

From the suggestions of the architects consulted, and also from the observations of the committee, they are of opinion that parts of the walls, arches and columns of the late buildings are in a state requiring a small expence for workmanship and materials, to preserve them from injury by the weather, and from falling down, thereby endangering the vaulting which supports some of the floors, and which is at present very little, if at all, weakened by the burning, but as there is no money applicable to the payment of such expence, inconsiderable as it may be, the committee beg leave to suggest the propriety of an appropriation for that object.

The committee think it not irrelevant to the object of their inquiries, though it is not specifically enjoined, to state also that the several banks within the District of Columbia, desirous of facilitating an object so interesting to the district, have made a formal and binding offer in writing, to advance on loan to the government, upon reasonable terms, the sum of five hundred thousand dollars, to be applied exclusively to the purpose of rebuilding or repairing the President's house, Capitol and public offices.

Conformably to the foregoing statement, the committee ask leave to report a bill.

Mr. L. also reported a bill making appropriations for repairing or rebuilding the Public Buildings in the City of Washington.

[The bill proposes to authorize the President of the United States to cause to be forthwith rebuilt or repaired the Public Buildings on their present sites; and for this purpose exclusively, to borrow such sum as may be necessary for the purpose, from the banks or individuals within the District. Twice read and committed.

On motion of Mr. Humphreys of Tenn. a resolution was adopted for instructing the military committee to inquire into the expediency of making an appropriation, by law, for the payment of the expence of transportation of baggage belonging to the officers of the militia in service under Gen. Jackson in 1813, and in the present year.

On motion of Mr. Easton of Missouri,

Resolved, That the committee on military affairs be instructed to inquire what provisions by law are necessary to be made for the defence of the western and north-western frontier; and that they have leave to report by bill or otherwise.

Mr. Stanford offered for consideration the following resolution:

Resolved, That a committee be appointed to join such committee as may be appointed on the part of the Senate, to inquire and report whether the present chambers of the two houses can be so altered, or otherwise improved, as to be rendered more convenient for their deliberations, or better rooms provided during the present session within a convenient distance of the Public Offices.
Mr. Lewis moved to strike out all the resolve, after the word "deliberations."—
Negatived 72 to 48.

Mr. Farrow of S. C. moved to lay the resolve on the table.—Negatived.

Mr. Lewis then moved to add at the end of the resolve the words "within the City of Washington."

Mr. Grosvenor moved to amend the amendment by adding, after those words, the words "or District of Columbia."—
Agreed to, 67 to 49.

The question was then taken on the amendment as amended; and negatived.

The question recurring on the original motion of Mr. Stanford, being opposed by Mr. Lewis, Mr. Pearson of North Carolina, Mr. Farrow of S. C. and supported by Mr. Stanford and Mr. Grosvenor.

Mr. Farrow moved to postpone the further consideration of the resolution indefinitely, which motion was negatived.

For the postponement 60
Against it 66

After some appropriate objections by Mr. Gholson of Va. the question on the adoption of the resolve was decided in the affirmative as follows:

For the resolve 62
Against it 60