United States Statutes at Large/Volume 5/25th Congress/3rd Session/Chapter 87
[Obsolete.]
Chap. LXXXVII.—An Act providing for the erection of a fire-proof building for the use of the General Post Office Department.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,Fire-proof building to be erected. That the President of the United States be, and he hereby is, authorized to cause to be erected a fire-proof building, of such dimensions and upon such plan of arrangement as may be required for the use and accommodation of the General Post Office Department, on the site of the Post Office building recently destroyed by fire; and, for this purpose, that he be authorized to appoint a skilful architect to prepare and submit to him the necessary plans for the proper construction of such building, which being approved by him shall be conformed to in the erection of the structure; and the said architect may be continued in the superintendence of the construction of the building, or another employed in that service, as the President may deem best.Proviso. Provided, that not more than one architect shall be kept in the employment of the Government at Washington.
Material―how to be laid, &c.Sec. 2. And be it further enacted, That the principal material of which the exterior walls of such building shall be constructed shall be such as the President of the United States shall direct, and shall be jointed, and laid in regular courses, in the most approved mode of such construction.
Appropriation.Sec. 3. And be it further enacted, That, for the erection of the building authorized by the first section of this act, there be, and hereby is, appropriated, the sum of one hundred and fifty thousand dollars, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated by law.
Approved, March 3, 1839.