Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1856-09-02
Proposals for Deepening the Outlets Of the
Mississippi river into the Gulf OF Melico
ENGINEER DEPARTMENT,

WAsHINsTON, August 4, fs56.
PROPOSALS WILL BE RECEIVED AT
Il this office until the first day Of October next
for 'opening and Keeping open ship channels Of
sumcient capacity TO accommodate the wants Of
commerce, through the Southwest Pass and Pass
POutre, leading from the Mississippi river into
the Gulf Of Mexico" for which purpose there
was appropriated, by act Of Congress- Of 9Th OF
July, 1eS6, three hundred and thirty thousand
Bidders are requested to state the amount for
which they will contract to open each Of the
channels specified throughout a well defined
width Of three hundred feet to depth OF not less
than eighteen feet below the level Of ordinary low
water, which level will be determined by benc b
marx on the shore, to be established by an officer
or ofdcers appointed by the Secretary Of War; and
they are also quested to state the longest period
Of time for which they will contract to keep each
channel open to such width and depth for the res
idue Of the appropriation after the amount Of the
bid Tor opening, II accepted Is paid; and to state
also, In separate proposals, the same particulars
for opening and keeping open each channel to a
uniform depth ofnot less than twenty feet III rouph
out well defined width Of three hundred feet
The means by which II may be proposed to ac-
complfsh the work and the least time for
opening the channels, must be stated in the pro-
posal for each depth.
The right to accept the offer which, in the opin
| ion Of the Secretary Of War, proposes the best
method Of accomplishing the object contemplated
and to accept either proposal Of any bidder for
either OF the passes, to the exclusion Of the pro-
| possls Of the same bidder for the other pass is
reserved
The quantity Of matter necessary to be removed
from the existing channels at the passes to be
deepened, or the distance along either channel 10
which the work must extend, in order to obtain
either OF the specified depths, cannot for want of
accurate Information as TO their present condition
| be stated. Persons who desire to underta he the
workare expected, therefore, to inform thems
OF It's extent, and the best means ofaccom pish-
ingit
After contract has been entered into, the place
and directions OF the channels to be opened will
be designated to the contractor by an officer or
omcers appointed for that purpose by the Secre-
tary OF War, and the amount which NAV be
each has been completed and found, upon cxami-
nation by an officer or officers appointed as above
10 be conformaole, in all respects to the stipula
IONS o. the contract; but no payment will be
Ing either channel untfl after such channel shall
have been completed, examined and approved
as above specified
AT the ex pration Of one third Of the time dur.
Ing which the channels are to be kept open,
eighty per cent Of one-third Of the whole amount
OF the contract for keeping open will be paid at
.ee e1 Pration OF two-thirds Of the time an addi-
tional payment Of one third Of the whole amount
contracted Tor will b. paid and at the expiration
OF the whole time during which the channels are
De Kept open, the per cent retained at the
HIST payment, and the remaining third Of the
whole amount Of the contract for keeping the
channels open will be paid but no payment will
be made until after the channels have been exam
n iasa .. eacn period OF payment, by an otacer or
found to be in all respects conformsble to con.
tract.
proposals. must be accompanied by evidence of
ABILITY 70 execute the work In the way and within
me time proposed, and should be addressed to the
Engineer Department, Washington, and en-
dofsed :" proposals for opening channels at outlets
OF the Mississippi river,'
when the time within which PROPOSALS are 10
oe received has expired they will be opened and
CONSIDERED, ana contract be entered into with
sne plaoer or bidders whose plan Of operation and
evidence OF ability to execute the work are most
satisfactory to the Secretary Of War
De inserted for thirty days In the ational In
!eiligencer, and the Evening Star, Washington
the Commercial Bulletin, and the True Delta
New Orleans; the Mobile Register, Mobile tho
Argus, and the Pennsylvania, at Philadelphia
the Day Book, and the Journal Of Commerce.
New York; the Times, and the Post, Boston the
Republican, and the Pilot, 81 Louis; the Emo uI.
reI, Ciprinnati and the Democrat, Louisville
Accounts for advertising, with two copies OF
paper containing advertis ement, 10 be sent to I'm.
glneef department for payment. au 5d3Ot