[CHAPTER XI.]
On with the work—Wooden Bridges proposed for the new location up Wills Creek and Braddock’s Run—The War Department holds that Wooden Superstructures would be a Substantial Compliance with the Maryland law—New instructions issued from Wheeling—The old bed to be retained—Two classes of work—Frauds by Contractors—Form for Contracts forwarded from Brownsville—Report and Estimate called for by the Senate—The law of Congress renders a change of plan necessary—The Secretary of War greatly interested in the Road—Cumberland to Frostburg.
Engineer Department,
WASHINGTON, June 25, 1834.
Sir: In addition to the views of the department, communicated to you this morning, I now have to request that you will proceed to apply the funds available for the Cumberland Road east of the Ohio, with the utmost despatch consistent with the public interest. It is greatly to be desired that the repairs of this road may be completed before the termination of the coming fall.
I am, &c.,
C. GRATIOT,
Brigadier General.
Capt. R. Delafield,
Corps of Engineers, New Castle, Del.
Cumberland, Md., July 23, 1834.
Sir: I beg leave to call your attention to the act of the Legislature of Maryland, giving its consent to change the location of the National Road near this place, to turn Wills mountain by the route of Wills creek and Braddock’s run, in which it is provided that certain bridges shall be constructed of stone, and to compare this act with that of the last session of Congress, and inform me whether or not I will be justified in constructing the bridges with stone abutments and wing-walls, and wooden superstructures. There is a necessity growing out of the cost, the law requiring the road to be finished with $300,000.