_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. From the most advantageous offers received, the bridge over Wills creek will not cost less than $15,000, constructed of stone, and if built of wood, planed, and painted with three coats of white lead, roofed with shingles, will cost not to exceed $7,000. There are two other bridges on the same new route to be constructed, the ratio of expense of which will not materially vary. * * * Respectfully, your obedient servant, RICH'D DELAFIELD, Captain of Engineers. Brig. Gen. Charles Gratiot, Chief Engineer. CUMBERLAND, July 24, 1834. _Sir_: I have just finished comparing the numerous offers for work to be done on the 16 miles of road immediately west of this place. There is great competition among very excellent and responsible men of the country, as well as from the railroad and canal below us. The offers for the bridge render its construction with stone next to impracticable, under the law, to finish the road with $300,000. They are as follows: $22,000, $21,930, $23,323, $22,680, $24,000. To construct the abutments I have offers at $3.80 cents per perch; that would, with the superstructure of wood, make the whole cost not to exceed $6,500 to $7,000. We cannot with propriety expend so large a sum for a stone bridge, with such limited means. I strongly recommend a wooden superstructure if compatible with existing laws under which we act, and beg to be advised as requested in my letter of yesterday. Respectfully, your obedient servant, RICH'D DELAFIELD, Captain of Engineers. Brig. Gen. Charles Gratiot, Chief Engineer. ENGINEER DEPARTMENT. WASHINGTON, July 29, 1834.