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(text damaged)
THIRTEENTH (District)
Portland, Oregon

Chairman Light House Board,

Washington, D.C.

SIR:
I have the honor to
enquire whether the appropriation approved March 3
1871 for Cape Foulweather Light Station Oregon 1871-72
reverts to the Treasury on the 30' June 1872. And in case
it does revert, to request authority to contract for Ma-
terials, Transportation, Work + Labor, before the 1st July without
advertisement. I would expect to have all the material purchased
before the appropriation reverts, but the transportation has proved
an exceedingly troublesome matter. Mr. Simpson has just completed
lighters to replace those that were wrecked, but now his schooner
has been badly damaged. By this time, it should be nearly repaired. I have
been unable to get any vessel here to do the work & shall probably have
to ship the metal work to San Francisco & reship thence to
Cape Foulweather. It will be extremely inconvenient if this money re-
verts on the 1st of July.
Very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
Henry M. Robert
Maj. of Eng'rs & L.H. Eng'r,
Thirteenth District.
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