Montpelier June 16, 1857

Hon. Geo. P. Marsh -- Dear Sir --

In regard to the flooring for the entrance story I think there will be no difficulty in making it all of timber, & well raised from the earth or rock From the examination which we have thus far been able to make, I think there will be no difficulty in getting a space underneath it of two feet in most places without blasting We shall provide well for the admission of air, & that without disfiguring the building --

In hasteT. E. Powers

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Dr. Thomas E. Powers, (1808-1876), of Woodstock, Vermont, was appointed by Governor Fletcher to be the Superintendent of Construction of the 1858-1860 project, to build a new State House in Montpelier to rebuild the structure burned in 1857. He and the architect, Thomas W. Silloway, were soon at loggerheads over their roles in the project. Powers became State Senator in 1861.