Publication InformationMontpelier Thursday, Nov 18

Page 1

Mr. Marsh.

Our hearing was continued. (30 in all) till last night at 10 P.M. when Bradley closed. Tom spoke in defence first. 5 hours, Redfield followed him in a 2 hour speech, and Bradley 3 hours. These occupied four meetings. Merrill opened for me in a one hour's speech, Tom and Redfield followed Then, Bradley The committee now have the whole in hand and we are looking for a report soon. When I get any thing you shall have it. The legislature will adjourn one week from Friday tomorrow. Field, put in a bill

a few days ago for the appointment of an architect to carry on the work cc. It lies on the table. I do not know just what it is, but paid little attention to it. The report of the committee is now eagerly looked for. Williams and Porter gave Tom, each a sort of Milk and water affidavit. I am looking for a good report from the committee Nothing went in to injure the looks of the case so far as I could judge.

There is much fear of no appropriation. None be made for . He knows it and has discharged all but five of the men. The

report of the committee will set the ball in full motion Mead's Statue is up and in order. . If I have any power to act can do a little to the pedestal it stands on and a few things about it to make all as it should be. I to improve in the thing itself so far as size is concerned. It is not one inch too high. Mead received your letter for the payment of his bill c. The cupola is done with the exception of a little work about the windows. The whole looks . Columns all on. I am now patiently waiting for a decision, and hope is not ended

I am yours trulyThomas W. Silloway

References in this letter:

J. Dorr Bradley (1803-1862), a Brattleboro attorney, served in the Vermont House of Representatives from 1856 to 1857. He represented Silloway in his battle with Superintendent Powers.

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.

Timothy P. Redfield, a Montpelier lawyer, represented Thomas E. Powers in his defense against Silloway's charges.

F. F. Merrill was a Montpelier lawyer who represented Silloway in his proceedings against Superintendent Powers.

Norman Williams, (1791-1868) was a State Senator in 1854 and 1855 before he was named by Governor Fletcher, to the committee which oversaw the construction of the new State House in Montpelier, to replace the building destroyed by fire in 1857.

John Porter, (1798-1886), of Hartford, Vermont, was State Senator for the years 1842 and 1843, a probate judge for the district of Hartford for the years of 1850-1886, as well as serving as a commission to oversee the reconstruction of the State House in Montpelier.

"Agriculture" was the title of the statue designed by Larkin Goldsmith Mead placed on the dome of the new State House building. The statue was executed in wood and had to be replaced in 1938 because the original had deteriorated.

Thomas W. Silloway, (1828-1910), was only thirty years old in 1857 when he was chosen architect for the new State House in Montpelier. Silloway was from Massachusetts, and had worked in the office of Ammi B. Young, the architect who designed the previous building. Silloway and Dr. Powers, the superintendent of construction for the 1857 job, had worked together to design and build a new courthouse in Woodstock, Vermont, that burned in 1854.