_Sir_: You were informed by letter from the department, under date of 20th August last, that the Secretary of War had been written to on the subject of building a new bridge over Dunlap's creek in the place of that which is at present in the line of the Cumberland Road, between Brownsville and Bridgeport, and which was referred to in your communication to the Chief Engineer of the 15th of August last. I now have to inform you that the Secretary of War has decided that the bridge in question cannot be built at the expense of the government, under the law making appropriation for the repairs of the Cumberland Road east of the Ohio river. Very respectfully, &c., By order: WM. H. C. BARTLETT, Lieut. of Engineers, and Assistant to Chief Engineer. Lieut. J. K. F. Mansfield, Corps of Engineers, Uniontown, Pa., or Capt. Delafield. THE DECISION REVERSED, AND THE BRIDGE TO BE BUILT. ENGINEER DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON, May 13, 1833. _Sir_: The Secretary of War has determined that a new bridge shall be built across the mouth of Dunlap's creek, in the line of the Cumberland Road; you will, therefore, be pleased to submit a plan, and estimate, with as little delay as practicable, with the view to the erection of this bridge during the present year. I am, sir, &c., C. GRATIOT, Brig. General. Capt. R. Delafield, Corps of Engineers, Uniontown, Pa. A SERIOUS QUESTION AS TO LOCATION ARISES--A REQUEST THAT BARRIERS BE USED ON THE ROAD. Extract from a letter dated BROWNSVILLE, May 14, 1834. _Sir_: To establish the location of Dunlap's creek bridge, I desire the field notes of the commissioners, if on file in your office, and Mr. Shriver's notes of location. From these, I am inclined to believe it will appear that the most favorable route for the bridge was pointed out by the commissioners, and the route over the bridge now used, no part of the National Road, but a county bridge, that we have no right to interfere with. May I request such information as is within your reach on this subject? The road may be called a very excellent turnpike between this and Frostburg, at the present time; so smooth that already the stage proprietors have commenced the use of a "rough lock," that materially injures the surface. Some defects are clearly observable, growing out of the constant travel and wear of the center of the road from the prohibition to use barriers to change the travel.