Engineer Department,
Washington, July 16, 1833.
Sir: You will forthwith cause all operations to cease on that part of the new location of the Cumberland Road on the east of Wills creek. You shall in a few days receive further instructions on this subject.
Very respectfully, &c.,
WM. H. C. BARTLETT,
Lieut. and Assistant to Chief Engineer.
Capt. R. Delafield,
Corps of Engineers, Uniontown, Pa.
Engineer Department,
Washington, July 20, 1833.
Sir: On the 16th you were advised to delay any further action as to the location of the Cumberland Road until you were again written to.
Mr. Purcell reports to the Board of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Company that the road being at the site now chosen will occasion an increased cost to the Canal Company of upwards of $16,000. It is very desirable to avoid this state of things, for, as their charter claims precedence, it would necessarily create a demand upon the government commensurate with the injury sustained.
Major Eaton, president of the Canal Company, will direct Mr. Purcell, the engineer, to proceed forthwith to Cumberland, with you, to ascertain the best mode of making the location by which to avoid any injury or increased expense to the Canal Company. You are instructed to confer freely with Mr. Purcell, holding the object suggested steadily in view, and give such direction to the location of the road as may best attain this object. This done, you will forward a plan of the route agreed on, and a minute detail of everything, particularly what increased expense to the Canal Company will probably be occasioned. On receiving your report, the case will be considered here, and you be advised immediately of the course to be pursued.
Very respectfully, &c., &c.,
By order:WM. H. C. BARTLETT,
Lieut. and Assistant to Chief Engineer.
Capt. R. Delafield,
Corps of Engineers, Uniontown, Pa.