The improvments which I shall propose on the grounds at Schuylkill Arsenal are simple and the chief expenses required to carry them out will be [145] the renewal of the existing stone work (chiefly in curbs) which was never very good and is now delapidated with 70 years use. Concrete paving also would be substituted with advantage for the present road surface, on the entrance way and in the Central Court, and flagging or concrete for plank on the rail way platform. The house originally designed as the residence of the officer in charge and now occupied by Captain Rogers is a substantial building of the last century which yet lacks certain conveniences and appliances now commonly thought indispensable for a household living in a civilized town.

Captain Hull’s house is much smaller and is cramped, ill arranged, and approached in a most awkward and embarrassing way. It was originally intended as quarters for a mechanic and was but poorly planned for the purpose. Whatever the exigencies of military service may require on the frontier I cannot think it should be considered suitable for the family of an officer when stationed at Philadelpha.

None of the inconveniences and deprivations which attach to a residence in these houses were pointed out to me by anyone at the depôt and the two officers more directly concerned were both slow to admit them and except as to the lack of any tolerable means of access to the smaller house indisposed to offer or entertain suggestions for their remedy. They obviously did not expect me to concern myself with them.

I am sure however that the defects to which I allude ought not be regarded as irremediable and permanent and as the simplest remedies for them would affect the question of approaches and other use of the adjoining ground I must consider it within my commission, unless you {are} otherwise distinctly instructed, to submit plans to you for some very modest improvments of the character indicated.