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by the Architect was simply a little negligence of one of the carpenters. I had it corrected immediately. For the stiffening of the stair rail some ironwork is required, I was ready to do that and to paint the stairs and galleries, or to do any other work if ordered, by the Architect if the materials had been furnished me; but as Col. C.W. Mason flatly refused to furnish the materials. How could I finish it?
In regard to myself, in justice to my family and in duty to the poor men who have not been paid for their work; I feel called upon to ask you to give this your early and impartial consideration. Permit me to remind you that on the third of May 1869 I entered into contract to put up this building, that as soon as a portion of the materials were upon the ground, I was there having with me, good Mechanics, men of experience, expert workmen, honest, sober and industrious withal; but a few days had passed until there was a scarcely of materials, indeed from the beginning to the ending I never had a good full supply. Under such circumstances, men are disappointed, the progress of the work is impeded, their energy is retarded, and I, from the commencement, was made to loose because the U.S. Government failed to perform her part of the contract. Thus was the building