Letter from Francis Barnes to the Columbian Institute, July 29, 1830

Washington 29th July 1830 To the Columbian Institute Gentlemen In a late visit, made by the undersigned to your Garden, it forcibly struck him that the design you have in view (that of cultivating the plants of this and other climes) might be greatly promoted, the citizens of Washington accommodated, the delightful spot in the west front of the Capitol, brought into general notice and, and he in his turn paid for his trouble, could he be able to obtain a lease belonging to you for a term of years. Under this impression permit me to propose that your honorable Society grant me a lease of the above named premises for the term of [[blank]] years on the following conditions viz. [[superscript]] 1st [[/superscript]] I will at my expense keep the Garden in perfect order, pay all necessary attention to the plants already growing therein, cultivate all such seed and plants as the Institute may provide, and, in short, do all in my power to promote the Science of botany and fulfil to the Strictest letter the objects of your incorporation. [[superscript]] 2d [[/superscript]] I will at my expense repair the fences [[end page]]

now standing or erect new and substantial fencing in their stead, lay the Garden out in handsome and tasty style, erect arbours in various parts [[strikethrough]] therof [[/strikethrough]] thereof, and set out vines of various kinds to afford shelter and cool retreats for such persons as may visit it, where refreshments may be obtained by the payment of a moderate compensation therefor. 3d I will erect an ornamental Building in some part of the Garden having therein a convenirat room or place of meeting for the members of the society where they [[insert]] can [[/insert]] congregate, free of expense and by calling therefor receive every accommodation, on such terms as cannot fail of being satisfactory. 4th As the Garden will be open to visitors at a small expense, a [[underlined]] strict Police [[/underlined]] will be established, to prevent the ingress [[underline]] of improper persons to guard the plants flowers & from the depredations of such heedless or idle persons as might break, or otherwise injure them. [[/underlined]] 5th At the expiration of the lease the buildings and improvements made at my expense will be given over to the Institute in perfect order and at all times during its continuance it will afford me pleasure to welcome the members of the Institute in the Garden and to listen to any suggestion they may make for its fur- [[end page]] [[start page]] thur improvement In conclusion I beg leave to refer more particularly to the second article of this proposition and assure the members of the Institute that [[strikethrough]] that [[/strikethrough]] no pains will be spared to promote their vision - to make the Garden an ornament to the Metropolis and the Country at large and to afford to the members of the Institute (or Guests) and to the [[underlined]] respectable [[/underlined]] citizens of Washington and to strangers visiting the seat of Government (at a small expense a [[underlined]] cool comfortable fashionable [[/underlined]] and [[underlined]] respectable [[/underlined]] place of [[underlined]] innocent recreation [[/underlined]] Very respectfully &c &c Francis Barnes

Communication of Francis Barnes