  The Iron Bridge over Dunlap’s Creek at Brownsville—Interesting facts relating to its projection and construction—The first step—Several respectable Gentlemen of Brownsville call the attention of the Government’s Agent to the subject. National Road, 85-5/8 Miles from Cumberland, Sir: Yesterday, as I passed through Brownsville, I was waited on by several of the most respectable gentlemen of that place, who were anxious to have me examine the bridge over Dunlap’s creek, between Brownsville and Bridgeport, to see its condition, and to give my opinion as to its renewal. Accordingly, I observed that I thought the bridge would not stand a twelve-month, and that I did not feel myself authorized to renew it, as the bridge had never been made by the government, but recommended that they write to the department for a decision; and, agreeably to their request, observed that I would likewise report the actual condition of the bridge. Consequently, I enclose to the department a leaf from my note book, giving a rough sketch of the bridge, and pointing out its defects. The reason why this bridge was not originally constructed by the government, as well as a bridge over the Monongahela river, are better known to the department than I am able to conjecture. I have to observe that a company is now constructing a substantial bridge over the Monongahela river, across from Bridgeport, thereby making the bridge over Dunlap’s creek an important link in the road; and that a bridge, to ensure the purpose of a common highway, would not be suitable for the only connecting point between two important and increasing towns. I have the honor to be, sir, Gen. C. Gratiot, THE SUBJECT TO BE EXAMINED. Engineer Department, Sir: Your letter of the 15th inst., informing the department that you had, at the request of the citizens of Brownsville, made an examination of the bridge over Dunlap’s creek, with a view to an In consequence of the views presented in your letter, it will be necessary to make a thorough examination of this bridge to ascertain whether it is sufficiently substantial to answer all the purposes of the road, by putting proper repairs upon it, or whether it will be necessary to remove it entirely, and to build a new one. You will accordingly make this examination, and with your report on the subject you will transmit such drawings and explanatory notes as may be necessary to present a full and clear view of the repairs, or new bridge, as the case may be, accompanied by the proper estimates for their execution. You will also ascertain, by the best oral testimony that can be obtained in the vicinity of the bridge, whether it is on the line of the road as originally located, and make known the fact in your report. The Secretary of War has been written to on the subject, and, as soon as his decision is known at the department, you will be instructed accordingly. I am, &c., &c., Lieut. J. K. P. Mansfield, AN EXAMINATION MADE, AND AN ADVERSE DECISION RENDERED. Uniontown, Pa., August 24, 1832. Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of the letter of the department on the subject of the bridge over Dunlap’s creek, at Brownsville, and to state that I have completed the examination of the road to the Virginia line, and have already given out notices for contracts, two of which are enclosed for the perusal of the department. I am, &c., Gen. Charles Gratiot, Engineer Department, 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, Very respectfully, &c., Lieut. J. K. F. Mansfield, THE DECISION REVERSED, AND THE BRIDGE TO BE BUILT. Engineer Department, 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., Capt. R. Delafield, 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. Without being permitted to use barriers of logs, stumps and stones, it is out of our power ever to make a perfect Macadamized road, and far from being as good as the expenditure should produce. Such a system has been resorted to on every road I have seen made, and every officer associated with me concurs in the opinion that we cannot succeed without using them. Permit me to ask a reconsideration of the order prohibiting their use. Respectfully, your obedient servant, Brig. Gen. Charles Gratiot, THE USE OF BARRIERS PERMITTED—A ROAD BEGINNING AT UNIONTOWN, AND ENDING AT WASHINGTON. Engineer Department, Sir: Your communication, dated the 14th instant, was duly received. In conformity with your request, a detail of two officers, as your assistants on the Cumberland Road, has been applied for. Herewith is transmitted a book containing, as stated, “the notes of a location of the United States western road, beginning at Uniontown, and ending at the turnpike near Washington,” which is the only document among the papers transferred from the Treasury Department to this office, relating to the Cumberland Road, embraced in the notes, required to be forwarded to you. (On the subject of regulating the travel so as to preserve the surface of the road from injury mentioned in your letter, you will again resort to the use of barriers, wood only, to be used for the purpose, and placed only on one side of the road at the same time, provided the object can thus be accomplished, and so elevated as to be very conspicuous, that the travel by night may not be endangered by the barriers.) I am, &c., Capt. R. Delafield, A BIG APPROPRIATION, BUT THE BRIDGE ABANDONED. Engineer Department, Sir: Three hundred thousand dollars have just been appropriated for the repairs of the Cumberland Road east of the Ohio. You will perceive by the law, a printed copy of which is herewith enclosed, that the intention is that this sum shall complete the repairs. You will, therefore, take your measures accordingly, and put the road in as good condition as this sum will admit of. The new section to turn Wills hill will be completed on the plan already commenced, but the plan of operations on the other sections must be modified to suit the requirements of the law. The iron bridge over Dunlap’s creek will be abandoned. Your project, when matured, will be transmitted for the approval of the department. Very respectfully, &c., Capt. R. Delafield, ANOTHER AND FINAL CHANGE—THE BRIDGE TO BE BUILT ON THE SITE OF THE OLD ONE. Engineer Department, Sir: I have to acknowledge the receipt of your communication, dated 31st ultimo, in reference to the bridge over Dunlap’s creek, on the Cumberland Road, east of the Ohio. The subject of rebuilding this bridge was brought to the notice of the Secretary of War during the summer of 1832, when he refused to take any action in the matter, on the ground that it was a county bridge, which should be repaired or rebuilt by the county authorities, as the United States, in adopting a system of repairs, had undertaken to repair only that which they had originally constructed. It was thought on the other side, that notwithstanding the United States had not built this bridge, yet, as they had enjoyed the free benefit of it, and as it lay on the tacitly acknowledged line of the road, they were bound, under the act of Congress authorizing the repairs of the road to work on every part of it without reference to original constructors or proprietors. In this state of the case, it was submitted to Mr. Taney, then Attorney General, who decided verbally in favor of the latter view, and instructions in conformity thereto were issued to the superintendent of the road, requiring him to cause the bridge to be either repaired or rebuilt. This question having been settled, the next is, whether Dunlap’s creek can be crossed at any other point than where the county bridge now stands. It is the opinion of the department that it cannot. It would seem there is no evidence on record that any location was ever finally fixed upon by the commissioners, and reported by them to the President, for the part of the road in the immediate vicinity of this creek; but the fact that the road was actually made in its present location, and used ever since its original construction, without any opposition, is strong proof that this route was adopted by the Government; at all events, in the absence of all other evidence, the department feels constrained to act upon this. Now, the appropriations having been made for the repairs of the road, and not for constructing any part of it, except the new section to turn Wills hill, it is not perceived how any part of the funds can be applied to the new location proposed by you. These views having been submitted to the acting Secretary of War, he concurs in them. Your operations will, therefore, be confined to the old road on which the bridge must be located. Very, &c., Capt. Richard Delafield, |
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