FIGURE 5.-Congressional library-sections; plan of the north end, 1807-1809. Benjamin H. Latrobe. From: Library of Congress, Prints

The Glenn Brown reconstructions (figures 1 and 2) previously r were prepared by consulting written descriptions. Latrobe rece virtually no plans from his predecessor, Dr. William Thornton first Architect of the Capitol. In fact, figure 6 was recorded by Lat as the only drawing he did receive. This work and another by Ste Hallet (figure 7), however, are of the ground story. At that time major functions of government were to be located on that floor. Th fore we have no visual records of the principal and attic floors of Capitol as constructed from the first construction work until 1806. In 1806 Latrobe drew plans to deal with the architectural dilen that he inherited in the poorly constructed north wing. One set of dr ings contains two particularly illuminating designs. Figure 8 sh the ground floor of the north wing as it existed, with suggested archi tural changes. The most important information for purposes of report is contained in Latrobe's key, located in the upper left-ha portion of the drawing. The key is color coded in the original drawi although reproduced here in black and white. The original color cod enabled an analysis to be made indicating which areas were to be moved and which areas were involved in additions and changes. Bla lines were used in the next drawing in the series (figure 9) to show t the area now designated S-231 has been separated from the other la spaces and that two fireplaces were located in the room. It is called committee room on the plan. The 1806 drawing (figure 3), showing t principal story, lists the current S-231 as a reading room. The t fireplaces are still apparent but so too is the plan to have the galle space extended into it. This second plan is a presentation work whi would have been drawn after all the preliminary studies had be worked on and various recommendations incorporated.

eviously noted robe received Thornton, the ed by Latrobe er by Stephen that time the floor. There floors of the

ntil 1806. ural dilemma e set of drawure 8 shows ted architecposes of this er left-hand hal drawing, color coding ere to be renges. Black o show that other large c is called a howing the 1. The two the gallery work which : had been