17 First St.  Mar 5, '89
Rensselaer Polytech Institute. 
Troy, N.Y.

Theodore Cooper, C.E.
Cons. Eng., 35 Broadway, New York

My dear Mr. Cooper:
I went over to Schenectedy today to see if I could get you any information with regard to that
old bridge.  In the town hall there is preserved the original contract, or rather part of it, 
for nearly all of it which gives dimensions of parts of the superstructure - if there ever was
such a part giving all such dimensions - is gone.  I started to copy all there was (see sheets
enclosed a, b, c) but did not believe you would print it and stopped.  If you want any more such matter, which related to abutments and which there is about two or three times as much as is 
given on sheets a, b, c, I can easily have it copied for you.
Part of one sheet is gone and on the part remaining is given matter relating to suspenders 
found on sheet d.
On sheet e I give dates and costs from contract.  I don't know what is meant in it by the 
reference to "site of bridge built at same place".  In the history of Schenectedy by Sanders
reference is made to the "old Mohawk bridge" and he states that is was built in 1808 - no 
further information.
Attached to contract was a drawing without measurements a tracing of which I send you.  This drawing was folded and I had to trace it with ordinary pen and ink under difficulties but if you have a 
drawing made from this tracing you will have just about whe the bridge was - the tracing gives
just what was on the drawing, spelling and all.  I crossed the lines where the drawing showed
them crossed - not knowing which was the outside pieced always the photo shows some connections.
Piers were afterward built up midway between the piers shown and the iron bridge now there
is of short spans.
I send two photos which are the best that were taken - no larger ones were known of.
I was there about four hours and believe I got about all the information obtainable.
I don't believe there is a copy of the contract - perfect - at least no one
I found knew anything about it.
If there is anything else you care to know that you think I can get let me 
know and I'll try to get it.
Yours very truly,
Palmer C. Ricketts.

The intermediate priers were built up to strengthen the old bridge and are
shown on the photo.  Swift said that Alden was there is '73 when they were
removing the old bridge bit I don't know the exact date of removal - I 
forgot to ask at S - today but could probably find out.