[Maillefert & Raasloff to Begly, 30 Nov 1854]

Sir,-We have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of 20th instant, requesting us to furnish the Department with immediate information as to the state of the survey of the St. Lawrence Rapids, detailing what is done and what remains to be done, and stating how soon the charts will be laid before the Commissioners. In reply, we beg respectfully to inform you that we have accomplished the survey and the experimental blasting operations, and closed operations on the river on the 11th instant. We have under 15th instant sent in our Report accompanied with five maps, to which reference is had in the Report. This Report we consider to be, final, unless the Honorable the Commissioners of Public Works should find that some information was still wanting, in which case we shall be prepared to send in such additional Report or Reports as may be required. In regard to the maps accompanying this Report, we beg most respectfully to remark that they have been drawn all along with the operations, and were sent in only with a view of shewing the progress and results of the work ; they are, however, correct, and will, we presume, be found to answer the purpose above mentioned, but owing to the want of time, they are not as elaborate and well finished as we would be able and as we are desirous of making them; we therefore beg leave to express the wish that the Honorable the Commissioners of Public Works would allow us time and means to prepare another set of maps, which in that case we should wish to submit as the final maps.

What still remains to be done is therefore, in our opinion

1. To prepare another set of maps as above suggested, and in case this should not meet with the approbation of the Honorable Commissioners, to finish the copies of the maps now before them.

2. To secure the stations of which we have made use during the survey, and which it may be of interest to find again at some future period.

3. To continue our observations of the bench marks, until the river rises again, for the purpose of ascertaining the very lowest stage of water in the rapids during the present year.

4. To lay up for the winter and properly store and secure the material which has been used in the survey, &c., in conformity with such instructions as we may receive from the Department of Public Works to that effect.

We should be happy to be informed whether or not the Honorable the Commissioners of Public Works wish us to carry out the above specified work, and have the honor to remain,

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