In reply to your remarks about a map, I beg to say that your request was complied with as soon as possible after its receipt. Not more than one or two days elapsed before the alterations were completed and the next morning the map was sent to meet you at the Arsenal. As you failed to come to the Arsenal, it was sent by Stone the same day to the office of the Board. This was the 27th November—as I find by a memorandum taken that day—& Mr. Stone certifies to the delivery.

As to your remarks in the second note of yesterday about the ice-work, I have already replied both verbally & by letter to similar observations and have nothing more to add. I shall be happy to receive any suggestions for improvement in the organization. Mr. Kellogg and myself have given much thought and personal attention to the matter; my opinion remains that we both deserve credit for the result & not continual rebuke. Standing between the fires I find yours more unjust and more difficult to receive with equanimity than that which gets public expression in the Herald & Leader.

The bill for India rubber coats also referred to in one of your notes of yesterday was, if I am not mistaken, duly certified and handed to Mr. Miller long before the account was taken out of his hands. Upon questioning Captain Renwick, I find that he remembered seeing it in Mr. Millers hands. I have already explained to you that there is a bill of Vandusen, Jagger & Baldwin for boots to be paid—1st Jany.—& which I shall pay if you are unable from the accruing funds. These will amount on the 1st Jan. I presume to nearly $175—the bill of V. D. J. & B. amounts [to] $102.00.

If you will give me definite instructions as to the manner in which you wish me to proceed in regard to uniform expenses, I should hope to satisfy them. It is important that when the men need clothing, it should be possible for me to procure it within some certain time. Each requirement cannot be anticipated months beforehand. As at present managed, the business gives me a great deal of trouble, annoyance and personal humiliation. Mr. Devlin today, sends me a messenger, with the word that sundry articles which I have ordered within the last fortnight, have not as yet been commenced & that under instructions from you, he can pay no attention to my orders. I have given no orders without your assent and approval or by your direction. I have informed you of all orders which I have given & you have made no objection. You are aware that Devlin sent a cutter to measure the gate keepers. You have several days since received a request from me that you would call and satisfy yourself that Devlin quite understood, how the coats were to be paid for. What could I do more? It is now mid-winter and more than three months since, of your request, I addressed the Board on the [294] subject. In that time I have gone over the whole ground with you some dozen times & have spent more time, withdrawing it from more important matters of the park, in thinking and writing about it, in contriving how to get some decision either from you or the Board, than the coats are worth ten times over.

I know your time is employed with more important matters, but so is it but right that some of mine should be—