Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1856-08-23
p -oposals for Deepening the Outlets Of the
Mississippi river into the Gulf Of Mexico.
ENGINEER DEPARTMENT, }

WAsHINGToN, August 4, 1855.
PROPOSALS WILL BE Resolved AT
Il this Office until the frst day Of October next
for "opening and keeping open ship channels Of
sufhcient capacity to accommodate the wants Of
commerce, through the Southwest Pass and Pass
aPOutre, leading from the Mississippi river into
the Gulf Of Mexico" for which purpose there
dollars.
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 a bench
mark on the shore, to be established by an officer
or officers appointed by the Secretary Of War; and
they are also requested to state the longest period
81 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 for opening, accepted is paid and to state
also, In separate propos sails the same particulars
Tor opening and keeping open each channel to a
uniform depth olnot less than twenty feet through
The means by which it may be proposed to ac-
compish the work and the least time necessaryf for
opening the channels, must be stated In the pro-
posal for each depth.
The right to accept the offer which, In the opin
lon Of the Secretary OK War, proposes the best
method Of accomplishing the Object contemplated
and TO accept either proposal Of any bidder for
posals 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 to
which the work must extend, In order to obtain
either Of the specified depths cannot, for want Of
accurate Information 10 their present condition
be stated. Persons who desire to undertake the
work are expected therefore to inform thems elves
OF Its extent, and 1.-THE best means ofaccomplish-
Ing si.s, eo,,,,o. s,, sssn into -.
and directions Of the channels to be opened will
De designated to the contractor by an officer or
orhcers appointed for that purpose by the Score
tary OF war, and the amount which may be
agreed upon for opening each will be paid after
each has been completed and found upon exami-
nation hy an officer or officers appointed above,
to be conformable, in all respects to the stpula.
tons OF the contract; but no payment will be
made on account Of any work done towards OPEN
ing either channel until after such channel shall
nave been completed, examined, and approved,
as above specified.
At the ex yiration OF one-t third Of the time dur
lag which the channels to be kept open,
eighty per cent Of one-third Of the whole amount
the expiration Of two-thirds Of the time an addi-
tional payment Of one third Of the whole amount
nntracted FOR will be paid aud at the expiration
OF the whole time during which the channels are
to be Kept OPEN the twehty per cent retained the
arst 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 zen exam
ined at each period Of payment, by an officer or
oAcers appointed by the secretary Of War and
| found to be In all respects conformable to con-
tract.
Proposals must be accompanied by evidence of
ability to execute the work In the way and within
the time proposed, and should be addressed to the
| Engineer Department, Washington - and en-
dorsed :. Proposals for opening channels at outlets
| Of the Mississippi riverD
| When the time within which proposals are to
be received has expired they will be opened and
| considered, and contract be entered into with
the bidder or bidders whose plan Of operation and
evidence OF ability TO execute the work are most
| satisfactory to the Secretary Of War.
TO be inserted for thirty lays In the National In
telligencer, and the Evening Star, Washington ;
The Commercial Bulletin, and the True Delta
New Orleans; the Mobile Register, Mobile; the
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, st Louis; the Enqui-
ref, ln"innati; and the Democrat, Louisville
Accounts for advertising, with two copies oil
paper containing Advertisement TO be sent to En-.
gineer Department for payment au 5d3Ot