SCHUYLKILL PERMANENT BRIDGE. 49 



the year 1802. The bridge at Andover, across the same ri- 

 ver, was built in 1793. It was rebuilt in 1803. Piscataqua 

 bridge, near Portsmouth, (N. H.) was built in 1794. I be- 

 lieve there have been no repairs since, except the Draw, But 

 I have lately been informed it ruas much decayed^ and is to 

 be repaired next season. The bridge that I built over the 

 Potomac at Georgetown, in 1796, \s not safe for heavy teams 

 to pass over. Some have tried paint in the joints, others tur- 

 peiitine and ozV, but all to no great effect. I am an advocate 

 for weather boarding and roofing, although there are some 

 that say I argue much against my own interest. Notwith- 

 standing, I am determined to give my opinion as appears to 

 me to be right. And it is sincerely my opinion, that the 

 Schuylkill bridge w^ill last 30 and perhaps 40 ijears^ if well co- 

 vered, — You will excuse me in saying that I think it would be 

 sporting with property, to suffer that beautiful piece of archi- 

 tecture (as you are pleased sometimes to call it) which has 

 been built at so great expence and danger, to fall into ruins in 

 10 or 12 years r^ Need much be added on the subject gene- 

 rally, after these statements, and remarks of a practically intel- 

 ligent, and worthy man." 



" Never then conceiving, that any objections would be made 

 to covering the bridge, I furnished several sketches for covers 

 (as no person better qualified would do it,) contemporaneously 

 with Mr. Palmcr''s drafting his plan ; and always considered 

 the cover as much a part of the plan, as the frame. Know- 

 ing the liability of timber uncovered to decay, I should not 

 have thought it justifiable to invite subscriptions to our stock, 

 unless I had taken it for granted, that the bridge would be 

 ^protected by some cover. I prevailed on Mr. Palmer to suf- 

 fer me to alter his plan, in several important particulars ; with 

 a view to my design for a cover. To this he liberally con- 

 sented ; and now considers these alterations to be valuable 

 improvements ; and has declared his intention to adopt them 

 in all his future plans for bridges. The masonry too was 



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