Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1834-05-03
ID the Stockholders of the Alerandria Canal

Without access to official papers, | trust, in
c.rt IN memory my relation of matters regard
mo our projected Aqueduct at Georgetown
certain that correction awaits any mistakes
make therein. About June, 1882, the United
States granted 100000 towards building that
Aoueduct. The Board of Directors, of which
WAS then member, advertised for plans and
nroposals to build it. Those plans and propo-
sals were considered, and none of them adopt
Cd. An application for United States Engi-
peer was complied with. That gentleman, with
our Engineer, furnished us, by desire, plan for
the Aqueduct. We advertised for proposals to
execute that plan. The proposals given in,
about eleven, came under notice 28th Februa-
nv. 1885, their various amounts had been calcu-
lated by the Engineer. Some so far exceeded
the apparent average value OF the work, as to
be laid aside; others were so far below that va
lue as to shew that the parties offering neither
understood our terms nor the business offered
for Three only came under consideration for
acceptance.
John Martineau s. Co.
amounted to $193,343 1888
Joseph Osbourn's 166.439
VIM lie Baron & Co.'s 166, 134 166, 134
LIE Baron & Co.'s offer was the lowest, and
less than Martineau & Co.'s for the same work
by S27, 209 90. One positive condition, in our
tors were TO find all the materials and imple-
ments for the work; without any payment until
pier should be above water-a reasonable as
surance of their means to do so was deemed
necessary: on that point the Board, for want OF
satisfactory information, seemed disposed TO
decline any Of them; and, according to my un-
Outstanding at the time, an order was made -tor
the Engineer to inform all the parties that no
offer had been accepted, and that the contract
Il IL
acceptance would have been very imperfect
unless we had resolved to do the work by other
means, or to have advertised again. | was met
some DAYS after, at Gadsby's door in Washing
ton, by person interested, who enquired how
the offers for the Aqueduct were disposed OF.
answered him in the terms of the order, as I'M
derstood by me. He replied We received
no such information, (which surprised me. Q
since understand the order stands on the book
70 merely inform the parties OF the refusal OF
all the offers; which think was very incorrect,
ana not as had understood lit De.) In lew
days more, one person who had offered appear
ed to know, by some means, that the contract
> was open. Jon Martineau, in company with
Peter Bargy, made his second offer. II was
pared down from $l93343 to about $4,000;
which minated to me that the former offer OF
sis3,343 could not succeed, because IT exceed
ed both Osbourn's and LIE Baron's full $27, 600
such was my impression; / could not see why
else ne had socurtailed it. That offer then was
before u.s. without any competitors. The work.
ngseaSon fast approaching. The Board SEEM
20 inclined to depend on Mr. Bargy's means;
MI Martineau having candidly avowed det-
Slency therein | then spoke TO this effect
mat although their offer exceeded those OF
usoourn or lie Baron full $4,000; yet as no
Oner offer was before us, caring less tor loss OF
SS'ohey and more for loss of time than any o.
VIE Board seemed to do, was willing to &C
spI that offer. 1t was accepted; Mr.. Hunter
aone objected; who was consistent throughout
MIegard to Mr. Martineau--for good reasons
a. since understood. Some days after was
SSAed at Washington how our contract win
stdrtneau and Bargy went on; il papers were
sued, &c. &c.-before the enquiry ended, 1
,oSa,ned that Mr.. Bargy had said, at Gadsby's
aue ne would have nothing 10 do with 1t, nor
c "uad any one, he thought, under such speclh
ssuons. | had heard of such suggestions, par
ss.ularly the retention of twenty per cent OF the
sO"aNaactors' money when earned; but needed
psl not at the time told Mr.. Mason what Mr.
"A 'sy was reported to have said He appear
surprised and not to know if the contract
bss, signed or not. AT next meeting the mem
iec, Vi the Board seemed ignorant on the sub
Ros. did not see the Engineer; but before the
ss a'u departed perceived the state of matters
6on Anown by other means than my informa-
sbos. My aggravated sense of disappointment
We u' mat contract-of the strange situation
towa ooo In with you and with the public of this
nent, subject TO the invidiary remarks OF our
ders uoors across the river; the cause OF Won
mar even at the Office where 100000 had laid
prony, months ready for our use, and could not
L Ill 49,