Letter from J. Elgar to the Honorable William Cranch, Vice President of the Columbian Institute, June 9, 1827

Washington June 9 - 1827 The Honorable William Cranch, Vice President of the Columbian Institute &c &c Sir The Bontanic Garden belonging to your Institute, is so directly in view from the Capitol, that I hope to be pardoned for a remark in relation to the improvement of it. The new section of the Washington Canal was laid out along a line, drawn through the middle of the Capitol, and of the [[underlined]] Mall [[/underlined]]. The footway, canals, & plantation, in the Garden, do not coincide with this line, but diverge from it at an acute angle. This discrepancy is so glaring, and so very offensive to the eye, that I am satisfied every person visiting the Capitol would be grateful for its removal. I was gratified by the location of the Botanic Garden in its present site, from an expectation that it would become an ornamental appendage to the Capitol, and that being under the eye of Congress they would be induced to foster it. But you are aware Sir that whether it shall become an

ornament or deformity, depends materially upon the plan which shall be pursued in its improvement. I flatter myself therefore that this subject will be considered not unworthy the attention of your enlightened body. I have the honor to remain with great respect your most Obt. Svt. J. Elgar

Letter from J. Elgar, Commissioner of the public buildings. [[double line]] dated June, 9. 1827. Read July 2. 1827. Referred to a select Committee who will inquire into all the matters connected therewith, and report to the Institute at the next meeting. The Committee consists of Mr. Elliott, Mr. Lambert, Mr. Hale. [[right curly bracket enclosing previous three names]] A.D. July 2 1827. [[double line]] 5[[superscript]] th [[/superscript]]. November, 1827. report made. [[rotated 180 degrees]] Hon. Judge Cranch Present [[/rotated]]