PRESKNT STONE IvIGHTHOUSH ON MINOTS IvEDGE, MASSACIIUSIiTTS : NOTE THE 



BREAKING SURE 



This structure ranks among the difficult lighthouse engineering works of the world. 

 During the first summer only 130 working hours were obtained on the rock, and after three 

 years' work only four stones of the foundation had been laid. Commenced in 1855 and 

 completed in i860 (see page 18). 



and do the business a short time ; but the 

 case is not so now. 



"When I hire an Indian to work I 

 usually give him a dollar per day when 

 the days are long and seventy five cents 

 a day when the days are short and give 

 him three meals : Now supposing the 

 meals worth twenty-five cents each they 

 amount to seventy five cents which is 

 seven cents more than the wages for my 

 service both a day and night (while I 

 hoard myself) only sixty eight cents, 

 computing my Salary (as it now is) at 

 two hundred and fifty dollars a year and 

 the year to consist of three hundred and 

 sixty five days. 



"I have the use of two acres of land 

 intersected with buildings, the use of a 

 small dwellinghouse and a small barn. 



"I refer you to Capt. Winslow Lewis 

 Superintendent of the Lamps &c. for the 



truth respecting all of the above particu- 

 lars that he is acquainted with — and be- 

 fore I forward this Application shall lay 

 before the Selectmen of Chilmark, which 

 adjoins Gay Head, for their inspection; 

 And in duty bound I humbly pray you to 

 take this Matter into your wise consid- 

 eration and afford me relief by granting 

 an increase to my Salary. 



"Gay Head 2nd November 1815. 



"I am Sir with all possible respect 

 yours to command, 



"Ebenezer Skiee." 



As a result of this letter. President 

 Madison approved of a further increase 

 of $50 in his salary. 



CHARACTERISTIC ENDORSEMENTS BY 



JEFEERSON 

 On a recommendation to appoint Jared 

 Hand as keeper of Montauk Point light 



14 



