The Secretary read as follows: Quan rrmnasrnnGuzman/s Orrics, Wssnmeros. D. C., April 12, 1866. Sin: I have the honor to acknowledgereceipt of your request.to prepareand submit a plan for “a suitable building for the vnrious branches of the War Dept, with an estimate of its cost, and ii suggestionastoa sitetherefaopr.proximate At some future time ‘onpresswill doubtlessmake provision for the t recton of n.building on 7 teentl)streetand Pennsylvania avcnuc.in style and constructionto correspondin some degreeWith the Treasurybuilding. In the meantime, and during the construction of an such building it is of importance to have a, building in which the businessof the War Dept teearsnabfeeteyoncentratedand its recordsplacedin than is possiblein the present condition of the Dept, manybranchcs of which are now scatterer about the vicinity of 17th streetin combustiblebuildings. The square between 17th and 18th and between F and G strccts, beingdirectly opposite to the War and Navy Depts, offersthe great estadvantagesfor this purpose. A portion of this square is now occupiedby Win ilcr‘s building, which is already the propertyof the Government. This buildinu cost, includingthe land, in 185$, nbout 200,000 dollars. The appropriation madeby Congress authorizedits purchase.provided the costdid not exceedthat sum, and I remember that it was stated, at the time of purchase, that officeis who examined it on the part of the Government placedits value at somewhatlessthan 200,000 dollars. The recordsof the War Dept, however, will showthe exactsumpaid for it. Winder's building fronts on 17th and F streets. It can be extendedeither to the north with a retturn on G street, or to the west, fronting on F stree. I transmit herewith a drawing of the squarewith plansfor either of these extensionS.No. I being 156 and a half feetfront on 17 thstreet and 210 on G strcct, would afford 63 thou shaenigdhstquarefeetof officefloor if built 4 storiesin and uniform with Winder‘s buildin in construction, except that rolled iron beams should be used in place of cast iron girders to support the floors. boy are cheaper, and their manufacture has been established in this country since the erection of Winder‘s building. No. 2 representsan extension on G street, occupy in the whole southfront of the square. t would afford65,000 600 squarefeetof officefloor in 4 stories. The costofconstruction of either of thesebuildings is estimated at about 175,000 dollars. The site of No. 1, it is supposed, wouldcost, 20, 295feet of land, at.two 858, 590 The improvementsthereonwouldcostprobably.000 $126500 The site of No. 2 would probably cost, land, 30, 430 squarefeet, at onedollar. 3.04" Improvements. $5l, l30 s itTch, eweillstimatesthus, for the extension north and its be $300,000 the extensionwest. a basisof comparison I maystatethat eachof thesebuildings is of about the same capacityasWin der’s building, including the addition thereto built by the Ordnance of liccin the court nrd The spaceof officefloor, occupi and crowded at this time by the business of the QuarterMGen officc is 28,000 feet. Either of the buildings shown in the plans would afford about63,000feetofflooring. When a sufficient buildin is constructed upon the site of the presentWar an Navy Depts for the permanent use of those Depts, Win cr's buildingwill be valuable to the governmentforsome of the branches of the Government, which, as this country increases in wealth and population and in fluence, must.certainly expand. The accumulated records of the businessof the war and Navy depts need‘somesafe fire proof depository an this building, if constructed.will in time uTTord such a hall of records. I recommend that congress be requested to authorize the purchaseor condemnation of thesite and the construction of an extension of Wiuderfs building. according to the accompanyingplans either to the north or west.as may bedetermined by the Execu vc. The right to choosebetween the twositeswill have afavoriiblo effectupon the price of the site, and of thIet buildings to beremoved is to be understood that‘the estimatescontem ipnliazt, e the construction of a plain brick andironbuild stuccoedor coveredwith mastic, in the style of Winder's hiiildmg, and Withoutany elaborateor expensivefinish. I am, very respectfully.your oliiedbenltl ssrvant. QuarterMGen, Brena Major General U.S.A. Hon. Enwm M. STANTON, SecyWar.