Mr. Evans, from the committee appointed for that purpose, reported a bill for erecting a mausoleum for George Washington, in the city of Washington.
The bill provided that it should be one hundred feet square at the base, and of a proportionate height.
Mr. Eggleston wished to hear the estimated price.
Mr. Harper said he had an estimate from Mr. Latrobe, of Philadelphia, who was the architect employed on the Pennsylvania Bank, the estimate of which had rather been over the actual expense; the estimate was that a pyramid of one hundred feet at the bottom, with nineteen steps, having a chamber thirty feet square, made of granite, to be taken from the Potomac, with a marble sarcophagus in the centre, and four marble pillars on the outside, besides other proportionate ornaments, would amount to $62,500. He hoped no objection would be made to the price, since it could not occur on any future occasion, as another Washington would never die.
Mr. Nicholas thought every sense of respect would be as well signified by a building of less dimensions, and it would be considerable less expense; he moved to strike out one hundred and insert sixty. After some debate, this was negatived.
The bill was then ordered to be engrossed for its third reading.
Meeting of Congress.
A bill was received from the Senate appointing the time and directing the place of the next meeting of Congress, which provided that the two Houses should meet at the city of Washington on the third Monday in November next.
The House went into committee thereupon, which was reported. On the question for its third reading, it was carried—yeas 32, nays 32. The Speaker voted in the affirmative, and it was ordered to a third reading to-morrow.