44
General states that a reduced claim below the original was rendered to the Surveyor General's. I can simply state that I never received it. Had I received it, I would have done my best to adjust the claim. I still contend that I do not remember that the Contract was made with the Government - but am under the impression that it was made with the holder of the Brandy License: However this may be, I could not reply to the application made in November 1871 - as some of the materials still remained buried under the cliff.
45
They were not excavated until a few days before I received the last application in January. They were then immediately measured and the value ascertained without doubt to be about $200 instead of ... which ... the ... claimed. I am certainly of opinion that in this case further explanation is quite unnecessary. Had the claim been fair and reasonable in the first instance, it would have been fairly met and adjusted. What would have been the consequence, had I passed the account when first called...