The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-02-14
MEssRs. EDIToRs:-A friend nut into NV hand

MESShS. EDIT OhS:-A friend put into my hand
a copy of your paper of the 18th instant, with an
article in il headed .To the Public. and signed by
Provost, Winter Co. i never was more aston
ished in my life than when found these gentlemen
down on my poor devoted head, IN all their hot dis
pleasure and bitter wrath on account of card that
published in your paper the other day, comment
ing the conduct of paid servant of the Govern
ment in relation 10 his unfair dealings in the con-
tract Of the marblework of the Patent Office Fie
fs gentlemen! you ought not TO have acted so; you
must keep cool, and don't burn your lip in other
folks kai. You must have that had no refer
ence 10 you in the most remote degree. was sorry
TO have been under the necessity Of even mention
| ing the name of your most respectable firm; and
when did do it, II in a respectful and discreet
manner; and could do no less TO make myself in
telligible TO the readers of the Republic lam at
loss to conceive reason for the above-named gen.
temen's coming out In the manner they have done,
with their long winded article and confusion of
figures, and trying TO mystify transaction gross
in its nature, so fragrant in its preparation, and SO
well known to the community of this city. But
there is an old quaint saying, that "straws often
| show how the wind blows" and the reason that
| prompted them is best known To themselves. AS l
entertain nothing but friendship TO the firm of Sy
| mington, Winter & Provest-with the first named
OF whom am well acquainted, and the latter are
entire strangers to me, and only known by repu-
tation; and they have fit TO sur and founder
| away at me, will not do 80 to them, descend to
abuse and vulgar personalities; for what do
the public what think of one another? Not
| Before taking leave of my friends above named,
| let me say TO them that from my heart hope they
made any, and bid them God speed and that they
may fully realize the $50, 900 of profits that they
boasted Of to a gentleman in New York the other
week
Having disposed of this part of my subject let me
turn to the point at issue. But before doing so, I
may say that have made no attack on the con-
tractors their workmen, their work, or their mate
| rails; my only aim and object is to bring this
transaction TO proper investigation, and, have
already said to have the responsibility of it rest on
its proper author and as do not blame Messrs
Provost, Winter Co.. want no more of their in
| terference-nor of controversy with them-for
have often that folks that attended properly
their own affairs had always plenty to do.
| 1t will be remembered that in my former card
published list of prices and the amount of work
performed up to last November, and defied contra
dicuon; and as 1t has been passed very quietly by,
no doubt it being all K still charge, right up to
the hub, that there is and has been, squandering
| away OF large amounts of the public money this
same work, which would not have been the case if
Mr.. Mills had made an honest return of the guam
| tity OF work, which will show has not been done.
Here let me thank Messrs. p & w. for the publica-
ton OF false table of quantities in more than
| item, which never expected would have seen the
light to which call the special attention of your
readers who may take any interest in this contro-
versy
First, them let me exhibit the cheat Of the beds
and builds MIR. Mills says in his table, which is
now before me, and which is as false statement az
my eyes beheld, that there are IL 600 sup feet
beds and builds, when in fact the Government will
find TO their cost that before the 9TH of July $780, he
will have returned measurement for over q, 900,
and what for? No-when find that up to last Novem-
Der, he has already returned and paid for no less
an amount than II 1854 supl. feet, and this only in
! the basement of the east wing.
/ Now, would ask your readers in all honesty and
candor, is not this wiful and premeditated fraud
resorted to by Mr.. Mills in order to deprive me of
the work in question? know their ready answer
will be yes Only look at the thing: 1860 beds
and builds in all the building. and up to last Novem
Der the following done, 1854; leaving only ,246
to finish the additions to the Patent Office. So
much for cheat number
| j will now call the attention of your readers to
cheat number two, which is the quantity of chan
mel snkings (square mind you'll as described in the
printed specification, which is now before me, and
not beveled, as returned by Mr. Mills, who tells US,
his incorrect and false table, that there are 900
running feet and now find no less than 6,l62
feet already charged and paid for as will be seen
by looking to the return in Mr.. Mudds office, eav-
ing us only S3S feet TO finish the entire building.
This last item should be well looked into, the
original quantity must have been made for deeep-
ton; If not so, why did Mr.. Mills make TIT was
his ignorance.
can assure all your readers that my bid was
made with the strctest regard to honesty and JUS
tee, and no attempt at trickery plea for extra
compensation; and the gentleman who carried my
bid to Mr.. Mills, informed him, according to my
instructions, that ! made no charge for beds and
So, my good boys, your game is blocked in that
nn; and much as my bid has been accepted and
acted on, Winter & Provost arc day behind the
fair. Now let me take glance at the table of the
deceptive bide, per Mr. Mills's return.
First, will show p. & WIS total bid, being a,
returned by Mr.. Mills. .......... SIsf, 96s
Take of from their bid the 1900 feet
of beds and builds, at IS cents per
foot ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. 3,52s
Leaving. ......................... SI74,43a
Now add so, 600 feet beds and builds,
at % centsF to the above ...... 1900
Thus you can see Symington, Pro-
vest & Winters total bid is..... SIS, 434
Now take G.. Cameron's bid should
have been returned by Mills, max
ing my bid, as it is, and should
have been ACKNOWLEDGEMENT. 1872, ls9
Difference still in Gilbert Cameron's
favor. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. sS,23S
think have made il evident by this calcun-
ton, that am the lowest bidder for the work, any
way you Ike 10 take the bids-that IL, If you make
fair and honest calculation, and measure the work
az il ought TO be- Now, will submit il 10 any two
disnterested men, and will pay one half Of their
expenses If Mr.. Mills and all others interested in
this work will agree to this proposition; and
will pay forfeit OF one thousand dollars il am not
the lowest bidder in all the work. You this il
coming up TO the scratch; and, If Mr.. Mills and his
party back out from this offer, let them forever
hold their peace.
Yours, respectfully,
GILBERT CAMERON,