Frederick Law Olmsted SUBJECT FILE Public and State Buildidngs U S. Capitol 1875-76 3209 W, 46th St. N York 14th Jan. 1875 Dear Sir: I have just received your note of 12th (13th?) mine of 12th was a personal one and not at all intended for the Library Committee. I only [intended] wished to indicate to you at what point I [found] should consider that the extension of the portico would be ruinous to the direct approach to it by stair cases from the ground below. You will be quite right in stating that I have merely adapted my plan to what I had been Recently advised [was] had been designed in [?] to the portico.N Y 15th Jan. 1875 Maj. Gen M.C Meiggs, Washington, Dear Sir, I have received your favor of 13t .My duty has been with the grounds of the Capitol and I [was in doubt] [have been] [as to the propriety of so far ap] have avoided approaching the province of the Architect [as was] further than was necessary [in] to the presentation [presenting] of the proposition of the terrace and stair[case] ways. As to the building proper, I obtained drawings from Mr Clark representing a plan which I assumed to have been provisionally adopted and to this my plans have been strictly accommodated. I stated to him as well as to Senator Morrill and Senator Hume that, among the various propositions which (after forming my plans) I found under discussion in regard to the projection of the centre porticos, I regarded that as the best by which they would be advanced the least, and that as to the West portico I thought [an advance of] a reduction [of] from the [proposed] assumed projection of 40 feet beyond the line of the present wall must lie better than [an increase] any addition to it. In regard to your inquiry [Is there not danger that your wide terrace, with 40 feet relieving] whether the wide terrace which I propose will not dwarf and conceal the Capitol, I must ask you to consider the question with the prospective drawing before you. To gain the advantage of the terrace without serious disadvantage in that respect has been the chief problem of my design. I think that with the aid of Mr Clark and my architectural assist. Mr M[???], I have fairly solved it. [it. You will not see it. There is an expedient need for the purpose which the drawings do not exhibit, though the perspective shows its result. It is that of dividing the terrace floor in two parts, one of them]{paragraph symbol} Before preparing the plan I experimented with a temporary staging and satisfied myself as to the [point] line of elevation [of a [?] at which for the outer parapet [?] line] of the terrace at which the building would not suffer, (assuming the terrace [itself] wall to be of marble and [its parapet pierced and an open parapet similar). the parapet [fully] to be fully as open as that on the roof. To place it low enough an expedient was necessary that is not shown by the exhibited drawings, though you may trace it on the plan of the grounds. It is that of dividing the terrace floor into two stages, the outer one being four feet below that against the walls of the Capitol. The top of the marble parapet is thus [?] kept [several feet 5 ft. 6] 5 feet below the lower course [of the building] of marble of the building and it will be only on closely approaching it that [it will hide as a near approach that] any part of [it] the building will be hidden-- I think that there is no point of view [?] in which an observer can be expectedto place himself, if my plan is adhered to, at which the Capitol will not [produce the impression upon him of a building rather as more stateliness an impression of more stateliness than by reason of the terrace a more [?] decided impression of stateliness by reason of the terrace--] appear more stately with the terrace than without it.Gen. Meigs 15 Jan, 1875-- Terrace Capitol--Wash. To Mr Morrill: March 11th 1875. My Dear Sir, I have read your note of 9th. I am of course much disappointed that the terrace is not to begin this year the more so that I suppose that Congress will be less disposed to make an appropriation for such a purpose next year I have confidence, however, that the more the proposition is considered the [more]better it will be liked, and next year the design will be more mature and [can] may perhaps be better presented. [I hope to see you if you travel north soon] The season is not inviting to Northward travel and I suppose that you will [keep] remain in your comfortable Washington home till it improves. [Paragraph sign] I think it will not be desirable to start work on the Capitol ground until we can do so with a considerable organized force, after the frost has left it.11 mch 1875 Mr Morrill. To the Committee on Public Buildings and Grounds of the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States. I have the honor herewith to present [the] a general plan [of the Capitol Grounds] for the improvement of the Capitol grounds [which includes a cludes a design for a proposed terrace on the North, South and West faces of the Capitol, and [of] for approaches to the West front entrance portico. I also have the honor to present the perspective draw.]together with two perspectives [drawings ings] in one of which the Capitol is represented as it is expected to be completed with portico added and with the present embankments about the foundations; [remaining] in the other the Capitol also as intended to be complete but with the addition [of the] shown in the plan with which I recommend [an [?] the proposed terrace of the terrace] of an architectural terrace and staircase approaches to the West portico from Pennsylvania and Maryland Avenues, [which I recom-]I propose that vaulted fire proof chambers [should] shall be constructed under the terrace and staircases, suitable for the preservation of records, and books and papers not required to be frequently referred to. The space [is] would be large enough [for] to provide convenient shelving for a library of [over] over 500,000 volumes. [I recommend the immediate construction of the terrace as necessary to the economical completion of the grounds and to]mend. [Assuming the approval of the design, I observe] Should you approve the design, it will be obvious [to your Committees] that the grounds can not be finally completed or given a satisfactory finished appear [ance in connection with that part of the Capitol that is now complete until after and until after the construction of the terrace, but that presuming that the Western portico will not be ordered immediately, the early comple-]As the grounds can not be finally completed [appear]ance until after the construction of [that] all that part of the terrace the vertical walls of which are seen in the [drawings] perspective, being [about] nearly nine tenths of the whole. [It is therefore desirable that this should be done as soon as practicable It is [also] undesirable that the remaining parts of the terrace should be completed being that below the intended portico, should be finished in advance of the main building as it will during th during the progress of the construction, of the portico of which it will necessarily be encumbered and subject to rough usage]On the other hand it would not be good economy to push the remainder to [early] completion in advance of the work remaining] to be done in the adjoining parts of the Capitol itself, as in the progress of that work it would necessarily be encumbered with [?] and material and would with difficulty be preserved from serious injury. [?] therefore so much of the terrace, and the stair cases leading to it, the cost of the work required for carrying out the plans now presented, in all respects [the lamps and bronze] the metallic [?] lamps vases only not included, is estimated as follows:On the other hand nothing is to be gained 27 For the completion of the Grounds ------- 193.332 For the terrace with [vaulting] -------- 2 vaulting, [and] lower stairs 315.519 and [be??] platform [288.192] _____________ 508.851 288.192 [In my report I shall omit lamps & bronzes which makes total for terrace & grounds--[?] committed--$463,003 Add for platform below portico-- (Say-- $500,000) [For the completion 193,332 of the Grounds [$172, 332] For the terrace with [?]anted chambers in West front and returns to N &S. 288,192 porticos-- [290,721] Total-- [$463,003] [$481,524] Details of the estimate, all the important parts of which have been obtained from responsible [and rep] contractors, of [the] large experience are appended-- RespectfullyReport with plan & perspectives Jan. 3d, 1875 U.S. Capitol To Mr Morrill. Washington 10th July, 1875 My Dear Sir, Until June we kept [our] hands off the [?] Capitol ground, waiting the removal of the rail roads and stables. Since then, because of the mistake in the engrossment of the appropriation bill, of which Mr Clark has informed you, we have not thought it best to work much force. The new appropriation now becomes [into] available and tomorrow with the fresh pay roll we shall make a considerable increase. I think we have got over all the hitches hitherto giving us anxiety & both here and at the quarries and foundries, and shall find it easy to spend all our money before December. The season is considered to have been unusually dry here & in that respect we are unfortunate for there have been of late frequent drenching storms in the neighborhood without a drop coming to the Capitol Grounds. In five weeks the ground has not been wet [?] inch in depth, I am told. Under the circumstances our large trees [offer] promise fairly. Of those shifted on the grounds not one is yet [?] failing--July 10 75 Mr. Morrill.To Mr Morrill; 12 July 75 Engineer's Office U.S. Capitol Grounds. Washington, D.C. 12th July 1875 [187] Dear Sir; It was not till the middle of June that the buildings and rails were cleared from the North [side of the West] West corner of the Capitol Grounds and the cars are still running on the old track on the [North] South side. For this reason and because of the mistake in the appropriation bill, of which Mr Clark has informed you* no work of consequence has been done [on that side] West of the Capitol. Difficulties at the Seneca Quarries have also delayed the stone work on the East side. All other work has advanced satisfactorily and all the stone we need seems now close at hand. We are today increasing force and starting the grading on the West grounds *which made it desirable to keep our force here during June, The season so far is considered here to have been excessively dry and hot and though numerous heavy showers have passed around the city rain enough [to wet the ground] to dampen the soil two inches in depth has not fallen on the Capitol Grounds in five weeks. Under these circumstances the large trees moved look fairly well; not one of those shifted on the Capitol Grounds yet failing-- Engineer's Office U.S. Capitol Grounds. Washington, D.C. 187 July 12 1875 To Mr Morrill 14th Sept 1875. My Dear Sir; The removal of one of the old trees South of the Capitol has been delayed at the request of Senr Cameron. He has been advised that the tree stands in the midst of an important walk as laid out and at an elevation of some feet above the grade fixed for it. In reply he writes expressing a wish that the course of the walk shd be changed so far as necessary to [?] the tree. Senator Cameron can hardly realize how considerable and awkward a change in the design would be required to accomplish his purpose. I enclose a diagram from wh you will see that from the relation of the locality to the existing architectural features of the Capitol & to the opposite walk & parapet, formed last year but with room left for direction Sept 14 '75 Mr Morrill.To Mr Morrill; N.Y. 5th Sept. 1875. My Dear Sir; I have just returned from Washington. The weather of late has been unfavorable to the rapid or economical progress of the work on the Capitol grnds which has advanced less in the month of August than I had hoped that it would but has been fortunate for the trees. So far the as the transplanting of the large trees on the groundDorsheimer 15 May 1876 June 7 FLO (NY) CEN 1876 HL CEN Have submitted revised designs of State Cap--roof elevated, tower reduced & porches given Romanesque char. Roof improved but [?] by Rev. Sommers. Whole has "I fear a patchwork character". Adopted by Capitol Com was promptly debated in Land Board by anti Tilden Dems who repeated expressions of NY AIA Chap "as well as they cd recollect them" Fuller quoted Hunt & Upjohn. O feels in false position but H & E threaten to resign if O does been common in my previous experience but all now exhibit signs of recovery from it and of tasting the more nourishing food which has been provided for them. I shall be much mistaken if [in two years] two years hence they do not [begin to appear] generally appear more graceful and luxuriant [than even bef] and so will carry greener heads through the summer than even before.5 Sept. 1875 To Mr Morrill 5th Sep--1875 27th September 1875 Messrs Jaynes & Kirkland; Gentlemen: Having just returned from Washington, I find all the [other] work [of the year] on the East Capitol grounds likely to be well done well in advance of the meeting of Congress [the lack of the bronze vases] except your bronze vases. [The lack of] As they are [the these so long as it continues] central features the lack of them so long as it continues will so seriously impair the effect of all the rest & [so] will cause so much disappointment for which I must stand under reproach that[I am most anxious] You will excuse me for expressing my anxiety that all possible precautions should be taken against accidents which might retard the work & that no measure should be neglected by which it can be more rapidly advanced, without risk of loosing the best workmanship upon it.Janes & Kirkland 27 Sept 75 17th Decr--1875 Edward Clark Esq Arctc't &c My Dear Sir; In reply to a message from you through Mr Partridge, I have to say that the [?] of reflection for the large lanterns has been delayed for experiments, at my request, In other and all important [?] plans the lanterns are complete and satisfactory. Messrs Janes & Kirkland have been very obliging and to meet their request as far as may be done under the circumstances I [?]recommend that they be paid $8000--[?] still $316-- In regard to the Schullinger contract I had declined to accept the pavement; thinking it right to see the effect of winter upon it before doing so. I have asked Mr Radford to call [personally per] on Mr Merchant and explain the matter., [which I had supposed to be fully u fully understood.]17 Dec 75 F.L. Olmsted to Edward Clark Washington, 10th Feb. 1876. Capitol Police &c. I have at different times been to every person whom I thought it proper to trouble in the matter to obtain a better guardianship of the grounds. Chm of Committee, Sgt at Arms Captain of Police, & the [??nt] who is Chrm of the Cap. Police Coms'n. I repeatedly urged and argued the necessity for a police force constly on the ground; it is always admitted and fair promises always made. Since my last visit, I find there has been no guardianship, 18 silk basin covers have been stolen, 6 of which were recovered at a junk shop. While the bronze vases were being fitted & set up, the quadrants were enclosed by a temporary house [for] with a stove in order that the work might go on spite of weather. To keep up the fire & protect the bronze & tools at night, Wisedell applied for a policeman. Three were assigned by the captain in Succession, Each of whom abandoned his post the first night. Wisedell asked one of them why he did so. He said that he did not think it was good for his health. The house was perfectly comfortable and [was supplied with] an armchair had been provided. The Captain acknowledged his inability to enforce his orders, and [the] the pretense of a watch was discontinued. While I was in Clark's office two men came in one of whom was a member of Congress, seeking to influence him to sign the appointment of a man whom he had never seen, [for] as policeman. Clark objected that there was no vacancy. They wished him to make the appointment in advance so that it would be good when a vacancy should occur. They spent nearly half an hour urging the matter. After they had gone Clark explained the difficulty he was in. The Democratic house demanding renewals & reappointments & the republican Senate & House minority urging him to stand firm & give nothing-- The next day going to Clarks office, I found him looking ill. He said he had a headache which was greatly aggravatedaggravated by an interview he had just had with Frelinghuysen. The Captain of Police had been begging him to do something [for] to relieve him of one of his men. This policeman was a miserable drunkard and absent from duty without leave [one] one day out any three. He invariably had a spree after any pay day. The Captain shared letters from his wife, living 500 miles away from Washington, stating that she & his children were suffering for the necessaries of life and asking that some portion of her husbands salary might be sent for her; another from a woman who acknowledged herself his mistress in Washington, who had stated that he had first [?] her and then promised to marry when his wife should die, which he thought must be soon.--Mr Clark took these letters to the Senator who had obtained the man's employment. This Senator stands before the public more distinctly than any other as the representation of the culture and religion of the community. He has presided at conventions of his church, [at] and is leader in philanthropic movements and reforms. He said "this man must not be removed Mr Clark. I do not know him personally but I have had letters about him from very prominent persons in my state and for their sake he must remain. No Sir, I can not consent to your [wishes] dropping him. I am sorry for it but I can not." [?] Mr Clark thinking he could not have understood repeated the story emphasizing the charge that he was good for nothing and that he absented himself from duty fully one third of the time & had done so after repeated [?] & reproofs. The reply was "I cant help it, Sir. He must remain where he is".--Then said Mr Clark, much shocked and after a pause, "I suppose that I [can] must tell him that he must obtain leave when he wishes to be absent and that if he continues to absent himself without leave he will be in danger of loosing his place". "No Sir", replied the Senator, "You must not think of his loosing his place. He must retain it under any circumstances. This must be the end of it"--(Seriously)[*Washington Chronicle 10th Feby 1876.*] TWENTY-FIRST DISTRICT. The Republicans of the Twenty-first district met at the First I. M. E. Church last night. Mr. S. S. Riley was elected Chairman of the meeting in the absence of Mr. E. B. Hughes, and Dr. R. A. Green was chosen Secretary. The Chair stated that the object of the meeting was the reorganization of the Twenty-first District Republican Club, and the election of three members of the Republican Central Committee. After addresses by several gentlemen on the utility of active and harmonious work at the present time the following officers were elected for the ensuing term: President, E. B. Hughes. Vice-Presidents, William Beron, Walter Middleton. Secretary, Dr. R. A. Green. Corresponding Secretary, A. M. Green. Executive Committee, Malcolm Brady, L. G. Fletcher, Thomas Osborne, Thomas Scott, F. D. Gaines. The organization having been declared complete, a marking list was opened, when they proceeded to elect three members to the Republican Central Committee, as follows; A. M. Green, L. G. Fletcher, W. Middleton. Alternates—Thomas Scott, F. D. Gaines, M. Brady. The following resolutions were unanimously adopted: WHEREAS, During the apostacy of President Johnson, the Republican members of the two Houses of Congress, recognizing the necessity of having none but loyal men to guard the Capitol, placed the power of appointment and dismissals of the Capitol Police in the hands of the Sergeant-at-Arms of the Senate, the Sergeant-at-Arms of the House, and therefore added the architect of the Capitol, who, under the law, are required to act jointly: AND WHEREAS, This force numbers forty men, only six of whom were colored men, yet the moment Colonel Ordway, Sergeant-at-Arms of the House, was out of office, five of the six were summarily moved, without cause, to give places to Democratic rebels; now therefore be it Resolved, That the Republicans here assembled urgently request the Republican Senators and members of the House to call on John R. French, the Sergeant-at-Arms of the Senate, and Edward Clark, architect of the Capitol (both of whom have for a long time been eating the best wheat in the Republican crib), to answer why they have selected and turned out these five faithful colored policemen to starve at mid-winter, and allowed their places to be filled with Democrats or unreconstructed rebels. Resolved, That the Republicans of the District of Columbia demand the removal of Messrs. French and Clark, unless they can show good cause for their action, or restore these men to duty. Resolved, That the Chairman of the Republican Central Committee be instructed to appoint one man from each Legislative district, together with the President of this and other clubs, to call on the Senators and members of the House of Representatives, and show up this outrage that these Republican officials have sanctioned or assented to. On motion the meeting then adjourned. [* x The Dr. Green here named Clark told me had frequently personated or served as a substitute on the Capitol Police for another the Colored man, who at the election times was absent in one of the Southern States.*]6th March 1876 W.S. King Esq Morristown N.J. Dear Sir, I am very much obliged to you for your kind attention to my bill. I am indifferent as to whether it is paid by the city or otherwise but the fact is that [the gentlemen] I was several times assured by one or another of the gentlemen calling upon me that they would themselves pay for the service they asked. Yours Very Truly,King 6 Mar '76 To Mr Morrill-- 12th March 1876. My Dear Sir; I have been away from Washington most of the time for a fortnight; chiefly on [State] business of the State, and now have [business work concerns of the city] concerns waiting me here which I can not further postpone. Understanding from Mr Clark that [there are] charges have been made to the House committee affecting the integrity of Mr Radford, I think it as well that he should show himself & that I should show my confidence in him by asking him at once to advise for me with the CommitteeHe goes in for that purpose tonight. If you think my presence desirable, I shall probably be able to leave after [Wednesday] the meeting of the Park board on Wednesday.12 Mch 76 Morrill. [If you will] To Mr. Bullard. 21 Mch. 1877 Dear Sir, Mr Cobb will show you a proposed modification of plan near the Penna & Maryland Ave entrances. I enclose a tracing which if you lay it over the photographed plan will indicate how two groups of trees will require shifting -- the groups now at A & B must be carried down with slight rearrangement to C & D. Perhaps the ground may be got ready for this change this spring, perhaps not. Yours trulyI think the improvement [which will be thus] to be obtained [will be] an important one and a corresponding modification should of course be made in the Maryland Avenue side -- but this can as will be deferred till autumn. O.C. Bullard 21 Mch. 1877 Modification of design 22d May 1876. The Hon. E.W. Leavenworth, House of Representatives Washington D.C. My Dear Sir, Mr Clark has sent to me your note about the trimming of the trees on the Capitol Grounds. The degree to which the shortening in process should be carried is a question in the determination of [?] which [in every case,] the condition and extent of the roots of the tree,the soil in which it is planted and the manner of planting needs in each case to be considered. I have accordingly left the matter in the main to the discretion of Mr Bullard [whose] under whose eye and immediate supertintendance the planting [of the trees and their trimming] has been done. My own judgment agrees with yours that the trees were likely to make a more vigorous growth if more closely shortened in but Mr. Bullard having before transplanted several hundred thousand trees under my general direction and with a degree of success which [far] exceeded my expectations and which I believe to be unpar[alleled, I have thought it best to trust this duty in a great degree to the [?] discretion his discretion. As well as I could judge when I last reviewed the trees they were promising well.][alleled] paralleled I have not thought it best to attempt to overrule his judgment [further [?] by] other than by general instructions. When I last reviewed the trees they seemed generally to be in promising condition. Vet Respy Yours,To Mr Leavenworth 22 May 1876 Watson Manufacturing Co. Patterson, N.J. Gentlemen; In regard to the shelters at Washington, the [?] cornice of the North one still has [a very irregular lines than] very imperfect lines and in that on the South the angle irons [have not been] not having been properly straightened the eave line of the roof is left with an irregular curved line. [I can not approve, as you have before been advised a final payment] The fault in both cases is simply [careles care] are of carelessness in the [work] men who put up the work. I can not approve your full payment until it is remedied.Watson Manufac Co. 16 June 1876ITOL GROUNDS Washington, 19th Septr 1876. A woman in deep morning came to the office & asked to see the foreman (Capt Brown) He was near by & came in, She said that Mr Clark had told them if the foreman wanted more carts she could have hers put on. The foreman replied very politely that he had no need of carts--in fact he could not keep those he had employed. He was about to discharge. The woman began then in pathetic voice to beg--She was a mother with several children to support. The horse had belonged to her husband and she could not part with him. She had to be at the expense of feeding him and she got nothing in return He had no work to do for two months & stood eating his head off in the stables--The foreman at last promised to see a contractor and try to get him to employ the horse. But pleaded the widow, that would not do; he would be worked too hard--He was an old horse & not very well and could not do hard work. She could not bear to have him put under a contractor, She hoped that the foreman would &c.--& so onI CERTIFY that the articles above charged have been received, and services performed; that they were necessary for, and have been or will be applied to, Improving Capitol Grounds; and that the prices were, in my opinion, just and reasonable. Architect in charge. RECEIVED, Washington, D. C., this _____ day of _____, 187 , from R. JOSEPH, Disbursing Agent, the sum of _____ dollars _____ cents, in full payment of the above account. $ _____ (SIGNED IN DUPLICATE.)21st Sep 1876 Robert Ellin & Co. Gentlemen, Upon a careful examination I find the very bad misfit of the bronze and granite of the [?] of the Capitol Grounds is due to the fact that [in neither] there is a departure from the [?] drawings in the bronze in one way and in the granite in another, and that the discrepancy is too great to be satisfactorily [corrected] remedied except by changes which wouldcostly to both contractors. To avoid this I propose to use a device by which the deficit may be covered and disguised This will be a fillet or fringe of bronze about 3 inches in depth, its band covering the present junction of the bronze and granite and its point lapping over the granite. The cost I should hope to distribute equitably asking [a part of it coming upon you asking] a part of it from you.Ellin & Co. 21 Sept 1876 Bronze Vase Capitol 21st Septr 1876 Messrs. Janes & Kirkland; Gentlemen, On examination of the Bronze vases of the Capitol Grounds [the follow] defects requiring rectification are found as follows: North vase. A section in the north east is much discolored, [?] probably because acid has not been washed off or oil not properly applied. There is a small split on the face which will require metal fitting. The are several small holes which require filling and the line of several of the joints of the dotted rim is imperfect. [needing the fill--] South vase. The ornaments at all the joints are improperly finished. The line of the dotted rim is very irregular; requires filling to good lines; several small holesrequire to be filled with metal. [No] Matting or stippling between leaves of ferns &c has been omitted altogether; the same finishing in this respect is required as has been given the other vase. [Several holes [?] require filling with metal [in] around this member] The section of this member requires to be made good at several places [holes] accidental holes to be filled with metal and a few intended holes omitted to be drilled. The ornament in moulding of the lower course in several places where defection requires to be made good. Several other matters in which slight improvements are required will be pointed out by [the] Mr Cobb, the Engineer in Charge, on the ground. [A more serious matter than] Something more serious than all of the above is the ill-fitting of the bronze to the granite base. It appears plainly that neither in the bronze nor the granite work have the drawings been accurately followed, as in one the departure is in the opposite direction to that it is in the other it would be impossible to remedy the resulting defect except at considerable cost. Not wishing to ask this if it can be avoided I propose [the introduction] to use a device by which the discrepancy of the two forms may be disguised [This would] can be donein a satisfactory manner probably by the addition of a fillet or open fringe about three inches in depth, its band covering the junction of the bronze and granite and its points lapping over the granite. [I shall not consider it necessary to put the whole [cut] cost of this expedient upon you but to distribute it equitably] The cost of the expedient I shall [be] hope to distribute equitably, a part of it coming upon you. A drawing showing the design will [be] in a few days be brought to you by Mr Wisedell.James & Kirtland 21st Sept. 1876. Bronz Vases Capitol