Letter from Colonel Isaac Roberdrau to the Committee of the Columbian Institute, October 8, 1827

Topographical Bureau October 8, 1827 Gentlemen. I was requested some time ago by W[[superscript]] m [[/superscript]]. Elliott of your committee to assist in determining a due East, and west line, passing through the center of the Capitol, for regulating the Center walk of the Botanic Garden, which, very cheerfully I complied with. The method adopted to give, as nearly as possible, a true result was, a line 8 feet west of, and parallel to the western front of the building, was accurately marked, by W[[superscript]] m [[/superscript]]. Brown, the chief mason at the Capitol, and it's extremities exactly defined; on the center of this line a good Theodolite was placed, and from that North, and South line, a perpendicular, or 90° West described with all possible care, passing due East & West through the center of the Capitol. The line that had been laid out by the Columbian, [[insertion]] ^ Institute [[/insertion]] and prolonged, as the center walk of the Botanic Garden was nearly correct, but that of the [[zone?]] of the canal appeared to be about 4 feet to the South of the true East & West line. This operation was then repeated more often than once with the same instrument, and without any perceptible difference in the results, and I understand that the same observations had been made at another time by Mrs. Elliott, and Leckie which where equally satisfactory- Having the honor to be Very respectfully Your Ob. Sev. I Roberdrau Mrs William Elliott William Lambert David Hale [[Curly bracket enclosing previous three names]] Committee of the Columbian Institute

Letter from Col[[superscript]] o [[/superscript]]. Isaac Roberdrau, to the Committee appointed on a letter from the Com[[superscript]] r [[/superscript]]. of the public buildings dated October 8, 1827. [[double line]] Accompanying a report of the committee, made the 5. November, 1827. [[double line]] Recorded, Vol: 1. pages 273,274.