Cumberland, August 5, 1834.
Sir: I was this day informed that the bridge across Wills creek, on the new location of the Cumberland road up Braddock’s run, is to be built of wood. By the act of the Legislature of Maryland, authorizing the President to change the location of the road, it is enacted that the road may be located up Wills creek through the narrows, provided the bridges were all built of stone. I am decidedly of the opinion that, by the provisions of that law, the President had no right to change the location of the road unless he strictly complied with every provision and requisition of said law. You will, on examination of the act of Maryland, passed at December session, 1832, chapter 55, see that the bridges are to be all built of stone. I sincerely hope you will, on examining the law, and reflecting on the subject, direct the bridges to be built in strict compliance with the law authorizing the change in location; it would, in all probability, save money and time.
I am sure the State will not receive the road without the stone bridges. I shall be gratified to hear from you on this subject by return mail.
Your most obedient,
JOHN HOYE.
General C. Gratiot.
Engineer Department,
Washington, August 14, 1834.
Sir: Your communication in behalf of the citizens of Cumberland, remonstrating against the erection of bridges of wooden superstructures over Wills creek, &c., addressed to me under date of 6th instant, is received. The measure to which the citizens of Cumberland object, grows, of necessity, out of existing circumstances; and the bridges will have to be built in the manner and of the materials named in the instruction of the department to the superintendent of the road, or the new location to turn Wills hill must be abandoned. The people of Cumberland are doubtless aware that estimates were submitted to Congress last fall for funds sufficient to put up the structures in conformity with the law of Maryland, to which you refer; and it is hoped that they are also aware that these funds were reduced more than one-half in amount, and that the act appropriating the residue imposes the task of completing all the repairs on the whole road east of the Ohio, with the sum rendered available by it. You will perceive, sir, that there was no other course left to the department than to change the plan and system of repairs.
The bridges which it is proposed to construct will, with care, last at least forty years.
Very respectfully, &c.,
C. GRATIOT,
Brig. Gen. and Chief Engineer.
B. S. Pigman, Esq., Cumberland, Md.