Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1834-05-23
To the Stockholders of the Aierandria Canal

Mfr. lie Baron proves me ~unjustly accused by
Mr.. Mason; it follows that all the proofs of its
truth, alleged by Mr.. Mason, are fallacious, and
lam released from all ceremony, except adher-
ence to truth, in nay notice of his conduct as
President of our Canal Board, towards the con-
tractors Martineau & Co. and VIM. LIE Baron
Go, and his influence in both cases. Mr..
Marineau proposed a contract for the Golfer
dams alone. Whether any member of the
Board, except Mr.. Mason and myself, saw its
real contents, at the time, know not; but it had
the appearance of a thing got up by concert, to
be thrust, by surprise, upon the Board. If MIR.
Marineau was not encouraged, by private sug-
g%eStions, to present an offer SO palpably at open
variance with our protested, published stipula-
tons, he was a most preSumptuous man, prac-
Using upon a set of weak-minded Simpletons.-
Here is its substance, as it passed the Board, af-
trsome revision, principally, i'll remember tru-
by Mr.. Mason:-I have, says Mr.. Martineau,
amodel of a new invented Coffer-dam. 1t shall
b~eSbject to the inspection of an United States
Engineer, and of your own. fit be approved,
will you give me a contract for the Golfer dams
alone? IF granted, l shall 60 to the North; ifI
return with an association that can shew ability
to proceed with the whole work, according to
your specifications, we will TAX your contracts
Ofyour hands. Now, look well at this condi-
lion made for us by Mr.. Martineau We had
not as a Board, ever proposed any contracts
but one; a contractor to 6nd all materials and
implements to build the Piers, without one dol
ar Of payment until a pier was above water.
here is a proposition TO us, so artfully worded,
that, by giving the Coffer-dams alone TO Mr..
Martineau, we would be pledged to contract for
Stone, cement, and other materials, and il Mr..
~Marhneau failed to take, or dlsliked to assume,
NOSE contracts, then we bound ourselves TO en-
gage workmen to build, under the direction of
our Enninanro Hare uyoc N dovfr0nS mOUn-
ment to put us under the plan of days work.
was Mr.. Martineau equal ia a stroke like this?
ne might be so, but | think not. A head more
PractiSed than his in forming arguments, ap-
pears to me in this part of his offer. One or two
members attempted some notifications; but our
resident took the most active part, until it was
Ufned to his liking. Upon the discussions; i OPP
poSed II, because it was a violation OF our adVer-
used stipulations; changed, without notice, the
Whole course of our proceeding; compelled us
% contract for materials, and to take up the
system of hireing days work-to the certain
loss OF our money, and the more fatal injury OF
lasting time. | may be mistaken, Out tnlnk
MI. Hunter and MI. Brockett were both absent.
iicalled the yeas and nays. The yeas carried
against me. If its full import was known TO
athe members who said yea, then it was apre-
ppred combination TO force the Company into
Jays work. MIR. Mason need not deny his IN
ent, by pushing it as he did; for he will not be
permitted to confess ignorance of its meaning.
ask you now to bear in mind that the Board,
sythis decision, gave time, without limit, to Mr..
Hs~artineau to go North TO form a connexion for
le whole work; and if he was able, and he did
not dislike our contracts, ne was TO be permitted
'otake them from us. Then contrast this libe-
'aity to him, with the refusal of the Board, my
ssafsccepted, to give accommodation to VIM.
SSe Baron, for a few days, to go and bring up
as company, whose unaccountable absence
save him much perplexity. That will be pre-
~a'ed to you shortly.
Your obedient servant,
JOSEPH VAUDEVILLE.
Nan 90 1904