the 7th. and terminated on the 24th. of September last, exactly nine months ago. On the 4th. December following, Mr. McLean not having commenced the negotiations referred to, I again had the honor to address you, pointing out the importance that they should be proceeded with while the Company's operations continued, and my authority to draw for money for such a purpose subsisted; which, however, I observed might not much longer be the case. It appears that no step was taken towards these negotiations, till the 30th. of April, more than 7 months from the date of my requisition, and 5 from the date of my subsequent letter above mentioned; nor was it till the receipt of your letter of the 22nd. current that I had any intimation of Mr. McLean having even then undertaken