Annapolis, 22 Feb 1884

My dear Sir,

In compliance with your request as chairman
of the Senate Committee on public buildings and
grounds I beg leave to submit to you and to the
committee some suggestions with regard to the State
House and its surroundings in view of whatever
improvements or additions it may be thought
advisable to execute.  My pride in my
native state and my interest as an artist in the

judicious embellishment of our capitol urge me
to offer you most respectfully the general ideas which
have occurred to me as the result of some study on the
subject.
    The "State House" or 'Stadt-House' at Annapolis
described by colonial travellers (Eddis & others) as
the "most elegant building in America' and though now
vastly surpassed in extent and embellishment by
other state capitals is yet worthy in many respects
of this judicious [___??],  The original design
has been ascribed to Christopher Wren, the greatest
of modern English architects, Ours was most
probably the work of his immediate successors or a
pupil of his - The greatest quality Architecture
is beauty of proportion an accompaniment of that
perfection of style which appears periodically in the
history of architecture.  Our state-house was designed
at [the?] period when its peculiar style of architecture,
The Palladian, or English-Italian, had reached its best
development and it is for this reason that the interior of the
Rotunda, the proportions of the dome, and our own senate
chamber (before its desecration!) were looked upon by
architects as peculiarly beautiful examples of
their art.
   The ornamental details of the rotunda are today
being restored in London as the most beautiful
and appropriate decorations of the most fashionable
interiors.
   It is needless to enter into a history of the various
alterations which the old Building has sustained; some may
be regarded as improvements, made by artists
who understood the style of the day and worthy of praise,
others as mutilations, others as injudicious because
inharmonious, and some, the most expensive, dictated
by false economy.
    I would specifically suggest that in any 'improve-
ments' or additions to the building or grounds that the original
style be strictly adhered to.
    The fact is Annapolis is visited by more
Americans and foreigners than probably any other of
our state capitols owing to the presence of the
Naval Academy and our proximity to District of Columbia
render it particularly incumbent upon us to
present at least a decorous and respectable
appearance to the world on our state building and
its surroundings. Strangers from others states expect
to find something to bear comparison with their own
more ample grounds and completed legislature
accommodations... and above all to see in a state
of preservation the historic locality of the Senate chamber, known to the
whole country as the scene of Washington's resignation
and the confirming act of Independence.
    The restoration of this room to its original
appearance is an obligation of duty we owe to
ourselves and to the country.  The mutilation of this
hall is looked upon by all visitors as an act
of vandalism and lends to [__?] our historical renown
as on of the original thirteen on contempt!
I would respectfully suggest the restoration of this
room as nearly as possible to its original appearance
to be preserved in this condition and to be only
used on occasion of special ceremony.
 

 pp 3-5 other details and suggestions as to the
necessary enlargements including library
apparently actual plans accompanied the suggestions
 

    Although the state house grounds are very
restricted and unworthy ... such are the
fortunate surroundings that a small expense
would give all the advantage of space by
connecting the present extent with the areas of the
Governor's House, St. Anne's Church, and St. John's
College - or by purchasing  [__?] Main St.,
connect with the proposed Federal P.O. site...
I call particular attention to this idea ...[as
]... no time would be better than the present to purchase
any additional grounds as to steady increase in its
value render it more difficult from year to year.

...a new treasury building is required

On account of historical association as probably
the now oldest building  in Maryland the present Treasury
shall be preserved and filled up as a lodge for
a keeper of the grounds and State House.....

Hoping my remarks may not be
received as impertinent [__?] in the the spirit
of patriotism which inspires them I beg
leave to be very truly yours etc,
  Frank B. Mayer
 

To Dr, F.W. Lancaster
    Senator from Charles County
and Chairman of the Committee on Public Buildings