
          what Mr. Seaman's powers with respect to 
 engraving are, but I think that he has no
 authority or money to pay for [crossed out : illegible] it.
 The Committee, this year, are more strict
 than last and they examine all the
 contracts. The deficiency bill now before
 Congress contains an item of $49,000 to pay for
 engraving our illustrations, and if this passes
 there will probably be little difficulty, about [crossed out : the]
 paying for what has been done. Mr. Seaman
 said to me [crossed out : the] about two weeks ago, that
 Prestell had better send in his bid. I suppose
 he referred to the work already in his hands.
 But I know very little about this matter
 & may not be giving you any information.
 I am on good terms with Mr. Seaman, as it
 is politic for me to be, and if I can do or
 say anything to forward your wishes I 
 will cheerfully attend to it. I do not think
 that Capt. [Captain] Humphreys will pay for engraving
 out of [crossed out : our] the remnant of the appropriations.

 It is really too bad that the matter should
 be in this position, and that you are obliged
 to advance money to complete the report
        