RKBP-229

334 Chicago June 29th 1857 Mr. Kennicott (age is honourable) Sir, I recd your letteron Saturday 27th and I have also reconsidered the matter in question and has no disposition to quarrell with you or any other person until I am imposed upon. Your work has ben done well and according to instructions too and if I had known I went out thatI was to work under such directionand you and Mrs K choose to give me I would not have doen your work under no consdieration, and in regard to my ability. I have no fear whatsoever for I can prove that by good references here and by the men I sent out to do said work. And in regard of making an estimateon what it would cost to restore your Plastering and cistern and making the chimneys to suit you and vc it would be very hard for him, since they had been once your chimneys may be (something scratched out)accordingly & in ? ways first if they smoke when the windblows from the timber (which probably is the case) by fixing a scheet iron cap on the top, so as to direct the wind in a different direction, the cost would be trifling. I suppose $5 dol at most and secondarily if the fire places were to be built on the back I mean to commence with 2 inches on the floor and let the brick come out gradual so as to make the thought of the chimney smaller ( I wanted to do it when I was out there last winter but you did not fel disposed to do it) the cost of that would bebut very little. and the cisterncan be made stanch? by giving it another coat of cement ( and let me ) or any other competent judge tell you that it is very seldom you will find a cistern as large as yours but what is apt to settle the aslls in the first year and especially when only part of it is exposed to the frost. And the plastering I am positive was done in thebest manner and also the materials mixed in

the most scientific names and now Sir, as I have hitherto said that I have done all your work with the utmost care in order to suit you and made a charge much belwo what should pay maj.? I dont take disposed to make it any lower. But however to make the matter short I will throw off thirty dollars if you will settle up the balance otherwise I will not. I will sooner try if the law will not allow me what is just and right.( I have said more than I have meant too so you can do as you please, Respectfully John Herrtage Box 1198