Since Captain Meigs could not reply directly to “Officious” he gave vent
to his feelings by penning a note on the above letter. This note gives
among other things an idea of the speed with which Brumidi was able to
work under pressure. The note follows:
“One of many indications. The picture is as good as could be
painted in six weeks. It serves to show what the effect of painting
on the panels will be which is all I intended. It cost little and I
have not the least objections to a better painting being by
Congress put over it, but it is the best that could be done at the
time and no more time was at my immediate disposal.