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Boston August 26, 1802
Sir
With pleasure I attend to your request respecting the kind elevation of the Lighthouses to be erected on the Isle of Sable -- The first inquiry seems to be what kind of materials should be used in erecting the Pyramids, whether stone or wood; the common idea is stone. I think differently, and should not use stone in any case, saving where stone is at hand and timber scarce -- As stone Pyramid is much more exposed to dampness than a wooden one, this arises from the particles of water being forced through the mason work, or from the stone walls being so great a condenser of such particles in the internal [illegible]. Whatever may be the cause of the dampness, it frequently happens to such a degree, that the vapour ascends so greatly as to effect and decrease the lights; this evil never takes place where the Pyramid is of wood. Besides I have learned from many years experience that the expences [sic] incured [sic] by the repairs of a stone Pyramid are equal, at the least to those of a wooden one arising from the frequent necessary painting & white-washing of the stone; this I have found to be fact respecting the stone Pyramids which have fallen under my care; and I may add that the interest of the excess of expence [sic] of building with stone, rather than wood will, (once in fifty years) build a compleat [sic] light house with wood.
It may be said with justice, that stone is