No. 65

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of Mr Secretary
Cardwell's despatch No. 24 of the 1st May, directing me to take
 steps for assessing the amount of Compensation that may be considered
fairly payable to Messrs Clark and Skinner on account of the
premature termination of their contract for the supply of the
Troops in British Columbia.

2. In obedience to these Instructions I have now the honor
to enclose a copy of a Report furnished by Mr Trutch, the Chief
Commissioner of Lands and Works, after a perusal of the correspondence
and documents relating to Messrs Clark & Skinners Claim.

3. Mr Trutch's long experience as a Public Contractor and his
personal knowledge of the circumstances connected with Messrs
Clark & Skinner's contract peculiarly qualify him to give an opinion
on this subject.

4. I consider the basis taken by Mr Trutch for assessing the
 amount of Messrs Clark & Skinner's claim more simple and fair
than that proposed by Major General Moody in the correspondence
 which accompanied Mr Cardwell's despatch. I would therefore beg
 leave to suggest that Mr Trutch's recommendation be adopted.