The Quarterly of the Texas State Historical Association, Volume 10, July 1906 - April, 1907 Page: 170
ix, 354 p. : ill. ; 23 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
170 Texas Historical Association Quarterly.
however, we have succeeded in renting a shanty, which, although
like the capitol in this place,
'Without a roof, and without a floor,
Without windows and without a door,'
is the only convenient building obtainable," . .
It will be remembered that $15,000 had nominally been placed
at the command of the president with which "to cause to be erected
a building suitable for the temporary accommodations of the con-
gress of the republic, and such other buildings as may be necessary
for the accommodation of the different departments of the govern-
ment." This sum, even had it been available, which it was not,2
was entirely inadequate to meet the purposes apparently contem-
plated, in view of the high prices of labor as well as building ma-
terials.8 However, it is probable that it was never the intention
that the president should have the buildings referred to erected.
The Messrs. Allen certainly offered to construct them;4 and
Mr. Borden, in his proposal of Fort Bend, suggests that the build-
ings so erected were to be rented or else "assessed at a price" at
which they should be purchased by the government." So, too, Mr.
Lubbock in his Memoirs states that
The Allens had undertaken to provide a capitol building at
Houston, but fearing they might not have it ready for the meeting
of Congress on the 1st of May, erected on Main Street a one-story
building covering the front of an entire block. At one corner of
the block a large room was constructed for the Senate, and at the
other corner a larger one for the House of Representatives, and the
space between partitioned off into rooms for the department of-
fices. Col. Thos. W. Ward was the capitol contractor under the
Allens. The work was not begun till the 16th of April, but it
was pushed with such energy that the capitol, though not finished,
'Telegraph, May 2, 1837.
2"The demands on our Treasury, since the adjournment of Congress, have
been great, without the means of meeting them," . . .-President's
Message, May 5, 1837.
'Lubbock, Memoirs, 47, 54; Telegraph, May 2, 1837.
"Mr. Branch read further proposals from Mr. Allen binding himself
in the sum of ten thousand dollars, or such bond as Government may re-
quire, that all necessary buildings for congress, and the clerks shall be
erected by the first of April, 1837."-Falvel, Report of the Proceedings of
the House of Representatives, Nov. 21, 1836, p. 161.
'Page 163 above.
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This issue can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Periodical.
Texas State Historical Association. The Quarterly of the Texas State Historical Association, Volume 10, July 1906 - April, 1907, periodical, 1907; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth101040/m1/190/: accessed May 22, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.