Henry Van Patten wrote to the Canalboard of the State of New York requesting reimbursement for expenses incurred due to the construction of the Erie Canal through his farm. Specifically, he spent $128 building a bridge across the Canal to access his fields that were divided by the construction. He also spent $130 replacing a well that was destroyed during construction, though he had received partial compensation of $100. Van Patten seems unhappy about the Canal's impact on his farm and costs he has borne.