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fication at the result, and to say that I consider the proposals very satisfactory.

Some modifications have been made in the plans that reduce our estimate to 1,200,000 bricks. I think, therefore, you had better prepare the contracts for that amount, with the privilege of purchasing such additional brick as may be needed, at the same price. I send blank forms of contracts, which please have executed in triplicate, and forward for the formal approval of the department. Your acceptance of the contract will, however, be final.

As regards the stone, while I regret that we did not obtain any proposals, it does not in any manner embarrass the decision, as you can now purchase in open market, having failed to receive any response to your advertisement. I have nearly decided to build the superstructure of stone. The architectural effect will be finer, and I do not think the cost will be as great as pressed brick.

I will, therefore, thank you to see at what rate you can contract for all the stone required for the outer walls of the superstructure, and the best rates at which you can obtain the best Milwaukee pressed brick, and advise me with any suggestions in regard to the matter you deem advis able. I should be glad if you could obtain definite proposals in regard to the stone, as I desire to close this question at an early date.

I should feel much obliged if you could forward the survey of the property. If the surveyor cannot complete it without any further delay I do not want him to complete it at all.

I am anxious to get the drawings for the engine-house and the outbuildings commenced as soon as possible.

Very respectfully,

J. D. WEBSTER, Esq.,

A. B. MULLETT,
Supervising Architect.

Superintendent Marine Hospital, Chicago, Illinois.

TREASURY DEPARTMENT, November 16, 1868.

SIR: The estimate of J. D. Webster, esq., superintendent of construction of United States marine hospital, Chicago, Illinois, for funds required for the prosecution of the work for November, 1867, in amount $4,424, has been received and this day referred to the proper officer for remittance, a draft for which will probably reach you within 10 days. Very respectfully,

WALTER B. SCATES, Esq.,

Disbursing Agent, Chicago, Illinois.

A. B. MULLETT,

Supervising Architect.

TREASURY DEPARTMENT, November 26, 1867. SIR: Yours of the 21st instant is received. In reply I would say that I have carefully examined the cost of the various items of work as described therein, and the prices and results are entirely satisfactory considering the difficulties you have experienced. I am also much pleased to learn that you have succeeded in securing all the foundations before the arrival of winter.

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As regards the stone, I can see no objection to making the wall of stone, but the inner lining must be of four-inch brick, leaving a hollow space between the stone wall and brick lining of two and three inches. The lining will of course be omitted in the basement story except in the centre portion, where I should prefer to have the air space preserved, I leave this to though I believe it was omitted on the plan sent you.

you.

I am very desirous that the cost of the building should be kept as low as practicable. I shall therefore be glad of any suggestions from you that will enable me to economize as far as possible on the stone-work. Very respectfully,

J. D. WEBSTER, Esq.,

A. B. MULLETT,
Supervising Architect.

Superintendent Marine Hospital, Chicago, Illinois.

TREASURY DEPARTMENT, December 10, 1867. SIR: Yours of the 2d instant is received. In reply I have to say that your report is entirely satisfactory. I note your remarks in regard to setting the carpenters at work, and have to say that I hope to send you the drawings of the windows for the basement story in a very few days, when you can commence on them without delay.

The complete set of plans for the building will be sent you as soon as Every effort has been they are ready, which I hope will be very soon. made to complete them, but we have been so pushed with business it has been impossible to do so sooner.

Very respectfully,

J. D. WEBSTER, Esq.,

A. B. MULLETT,
Supervising Architect.

Superintendent Marine Hospital, Chicago, Illinois.

TREASURY DEPARTMENT, December 14, 1868.

SIR: Your accounts of disbursements for construction of United States marine hospital at Chicago, Illinois, for the months of October and November, 1867, have been received and this day referred to the First Auditor for examination and settlement.

Very respectfully,

A. B. MULLETT,

Supervising Architect.

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TREASURY DEPARTMENT, January 6, 1868.

SIR: Enclosed please find drawings of the basement windows, which will give you work for your carpenters until the balance of the drawings can be forwarded.

I can see no objection to your absence, as suggested, at this time of

the year. You will of course make such arrangements as will be necessary to keep the work moving in good style.

I have to return the contract for brick, with the request that you will have the contractors affix a 25-cent revenue stamp to the bond, when you will please return it. I am aware it is rather a small matter, but the Solicitor will not certify to it or the Secretary approve of it without. By the way, I suppose the contractor is aware that the contract is of no value without the written approval of the Secretary. It is usual for him to approve all the copies, but if he is satisfied I am.

I shall be glad to hear from you in regard to the stone for the building, and the price of Milwaukee brick, as an early decision is indispensable to enable me to complete the plans. Please advise me what are the best terms you can make for the rubble stone for the exterior of the entire building, and the price for the dimension stone required.

Very respectfully,

J. D. WEBSTER, Esq.,

A. B. MULLETT,

Supervising Architect.

Superintendent Marine Hospital, Chicago, Illinois.

TREASURY DEPARTMENT, January 24, 1868.

SIR: Herewith I return incomplete contract (triplicate) between yourself as superintendent of construction of United States marine hospital at Chicago, Illinois, and Thomas Moulding and Edward Harland, of Lake View, Illinois, for furnishing 1,200,000 common brick.

An error occurs, as you will perceive upon examination, of the omission of the word "themselves," in the first clause of the agreement, whereby the contract is utterly vitiated. (Solicitor declining to approve.) Please cause the proper correction to be made and duly noted thereon, returning the contracts for completion and final approval.

Very respectfully,

J. D. WEBSTER, Esq.,

A. B. MULLETT,

Supervising Architect.

Superintendent Marine Hospital, Chicago, Illinois.

TREASURY DEPARTMENT, January 25, 1868. SIR: I have to acknowledge the receipt of yours of the 18th instant, and to say that I am satisfied from your report that rubble stone will be the most desirable material of which to construct the exterior walls of the marine hospital under your charge.

I am, however, of the opinion that you contemplate the use of a more costly quality of stone than I propose to use. Above the water table I do not wish to use range-work but broken range-work, which I even prefer to continuous range-work. The stone will do from four or five to 12 inches thick, and need not be of larger size than can be handled by a couple of men without derricks.

Please ascertain what are the best terms on which you can procure stone of this description, and advise me, when instructions will be given. Very respectfully,

J. D. WEBSTER, Esq.,

A. B. MULLETT,
Supervising Architect.

Superintendent Marine Hospital, Chicago, Illinois.

TREASURY DEPARTMENT, February 1, 1868. SIR: Yours of the 25th ultimo is received. In reply I have to say that I presume that what is called in your city "broken ashlar," is what I mean by "broken range-work." I, of course, could not know what the relative cost of range rubble and broken range rubble masonry in your city was, but as far as my knowledge extends, the latter is by far the cheapest. The difference is to be attributed, I presume, to the unrivalled facilities your quarries furnish for the supply of stone of uniform thickness of bed.

I will therefore say that I desire the stone work below the water table to be range rubble to give the base as massive a character as is compatible with the character of the structure. The superstructure I desire to be of good rubble masonry, and to economize to the fullest extent that a due regard to the quality of the work will permit. I shall therefore be glad to hear your views on the subject, and to avail myself of your practical knowledge of the best and most economical method of using Joliet stone. Please advise me if an early decision is in your opinion advantageous, as I intend visiting you early in the spring, and if there is no necessity of an early action I will consult with you in person before making a definite decision.

Very respectfully,

J. D. WEBSTER, Esq.,

A. B. MULLETT,
Supervising Architect.

Superintendent Marine Hospital, Chicago, Illinois.

TREASURY DEPARTMENT, February 5, 1868. SIR: Enclosed please find duplicate and triplicate of contract and bond as executed between yourself as superintendent marine hospital, Chicago, and Thomas Moulding and Edward Harland, of Lake View, Illinois, for furnishing 1,200,000 common brick. The same having been examined and found correct and approved by the Secretary of the Treasury.

One copy you will please deliver to the contractors, retaining the other for your office, the original being reserved for file in this office.

Very respectfully,

J. D. WEBSTER, Esq.,

A. B MULLETT,
Supervising Architect.

Superintendent Marine Hospital, Chicago, Illinois.

TREASURY DEPARTMENT, February 7, 1868.

SIR: Yours of the 1st and 3d instant have been received. In reply I have to say that I have decided to visit your city in the spring, and we will therefore postpone a decision on all questions that do not require immediate action.

Your report of the 3d instant is the first intimation I have had that you had any intention of purchasing machinery, and I regret that you did not advise me before making the purchase.

In future you will please confer with this office before making any

expenditure not contemplated by your instructions; this being the inva riable rule. I trust in this case that the results will justify the purchase. Your promise to obtain all the information possible in regard to the price of material, &c., before my arrival is also noted with pleasure. Very respectfully,

J. D. WEBSTER, Esq.,

A. B. MULLETT,

Supervising Architect.

Superintendent Marine Hospital, Chicago, Illinois.

TREASURY DEPARTMENT, February 11, 1868.

SIR: I received a visit yesterday from Mr. Steele, of the firm of Sanger & Steele, of Joliet, Illinois, who called in relation to the stone work for the marine hospital under your charge. I showed him the plans and specifications, and find that the difference of terms in use in our respective localities has caused a misunderstanding as to the quality of the work and the kind of stone I desire to use for the superstructure.

Mr. Steele assures me that what I call "broken range rubble” is known as "block rubble" in Chicago. He informs me that the contracts they have taken for dimension stone will leave them an unusually large amount of "block rubble” and common rubble on hand, and that his firm is anxious to make a contract for supplying a large quantity of each, and he made the following proposal, which I have informally accepted, viz:

He will supply the building material of the new marine hospital, to be erected at Chicago, at the following prices, delivered aboard cars or boat, at our quarry, viz:

For block rubble, $8 per cord of 128 feet.

For common rubble, $4 67 per cord of 128 feet.
For dimension stone, 45 cents per cubic foot.

For flagging, 45 cents per superficial foot.

I propose, therefore, to construct the outer walls of stone, using block rubble on the exterior, and common rubble for the backing, which will give about one-third of the former to two-thirds of the latter, and make a durable and cheap wall.

Please let me know what you think of the proposal at your earliest convenience.

Very respectfully,

J. D. WEBSTER, Esq.,

A. B. MULLETT,

Supervising Architect.

Superintendent Marine Hospital, Chicago, Illinois.

TREASURY DEPARTMENT, February 29, 1868. SIR: Yours of the 24th instant, in relation to the proposal of Sanger & Steele to furnish stone for the marine hospital under your charge, is received.

In reply I have to say that I am glad to learn that you think the block rubble can be obtained at even a lower price than proposed by them. Their proposal, however, was for selected stone of the best quality and uniform color. The dimension stone included the cornice, belt courses, window-sills, and the two-story verandas, which will be entirely of stone and require those of extra size.

The whole of the plans of the stone work will be forwarded you in a

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