SAM'L L. SMEDLEY, Chief Engineer and Surveyor.
Department of Public Works,
BUREAU OF SURVEYS,
City Hall, Broad and Market Streets.
Philadelphia, March 6,1889.
Theodore Cooper, Esq.	
35 Broadway, New York. 
Dear Sir:
I send you an account of the "Schuylkill permanent bridge at Market street, Philadelphia, built in 1804" written by Judge Richard Peters, who was one of the principal promoters of it. He has introduced a large amount of detail. I had it reprinted a few years ago.
The arched superstructure was removed by the City in
1850,	and the floor made nearly level and the track was used in
1851.	The Pennsylvania Railroad terminated near the west end of the Bridge.
It was burned down on November 20, 1875. It was set on
fire by the accidental igniting of escaping gas from a large main
In 1805, W.Birch published a fine view of the bridge, engraved on plate about 12" x 14". I have a photograph, but no original/
Yours truly,
Samuel L. Smedley
Chief Engineer and Surveyor.