[Maillefert & Raasloff to Commissioners of Public Works, 4 Jun 1854]

The undersigned have had occasion, in their former communication to the Board, to mention the fact that but very little available material belonging to the Board having been furnished for use in their operations in the St. Lawrence, they had been compelled to go to a very considerable outlay for new and good material properly adapted for this service, and also that this outlay, together with the expenses incurred for repairs of material belonging to the Board, transportation thereof, and for the surveying operations proper, would nearly exhaust the sum of £2000 allowed for the survey, &c., of the Rapids. Having now completed their outfit, or very nearly so, they respectfully solicit the Board to take off their hands the material hereafter mentioned, all of which it was absolutely necessary, to have on hand, and without which the operations could not be carried out at all, namely: one iron barge, 55 feet long (built at Montreal;) three Francis' metallic life-boats, of different sizes, from New York; one wooden scow, 36 feet long (built at Montreal;) one wooden boat with sails, 32 feet long, from New York; two calistans, one with divers pieces of machinery and appurtenances to the barge and boats; oars, blocks, life-preservers, and other objects of outfit. The outlay for this material, including freight and import duty, will amount to £1293. Anticipating a favorable decision upon this request, we beg most respectfully to enclose the following vouchers for disbursements actually made for the above mentioned material, to wit

Voucher No. 1, from Messrs. Glassford & Walker, of Montreal, for disbursements made on our account to Messrs. Millen & Milne, likewise from Montreal, who have undertaken by contract to furnish the iron barge .for £762 10s. Amount, £506 13s. 10d. Voucher No 2, from Francis' Metallic Life-Boat Company, for two life-boats and appurtenances, $343 62 cents, makes £85 18s. 1d. Voucher No. 3, from same, for one life-boat and appurtenances, $181 70 cents, makes £45 8s. 6d. Voucher No. 4, from Burr, Waterman, New York, for blocks, $35 50 cents, makes £8 17s. 6d, Voucher No. 5, from Donmers, Nixon & Co., New York, for patent felt mattresses, life-preservers, &c., $61, makes £15 5s. Voucher No. 6, from Mullins, Montreal, £10 12s. 3d. Voucher No. 7, Chamberlain & Thompson, £17 2s. Voucher No. 8, Brewster & Mulholland, £9 16s. 6d. Total, £699 13s. 8d. ; and solicit most respectfully that the Secretary of the Department of Public Works might be authorized to refund us the amounts of the vouchers, viz : £699 13s. 8d., and also hereafter to receive from us vouchers for the balance of the material above specified, and to refund us the same to the amount of £593 6s. 4d., together, £1293.

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