Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1856-08-29
Proposals for Deepening the Outlets of the
Mississippi river into the Gulf of MeHico.
ENGINEER DEPARTMENT

WA,HINGros, August 4, fs56 {
I)HOPOSALS WILL BIZ RECEIVED AT
Il this Office until the first day Of October next
for "opening and keeping open ship channels OF
sufficient capacity TO accommodate the wants of
commerce, through the Southwest Pass and Pass
aPOutre, leading from the Mississippi river into
the Cuff of Mexico,'' for which purpose there
was appropriated, ny act Of Congress Of eth OF
dollars. '-''1'0'''
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 bench
marx on the shore to be e5tablished by an officer
or officers appointed BY the Secretary Of War; and
they are also requested to state the longest period
OF time for which they will contract to keep each
channel open to such width and dc pth for the res
idue OF the appropriation after the amount OF the
bid for opening, II accepted, is paid and to state
also, In separate proposals., the same particulars
Tor opening and keeping open each channel to a
uniform depth OF not less th twenty feet tn
out a well defined width OF three Hundred feat
The means by which II may be proposed to &C
complish the work audthe least time necessary for
opening the channels, must be stated In the pro-
pOsal for each depth.
The right to accep. the offer which. in the opin
method Of accomplishing the object contemplated
and to accept either proposal Of any bidder for
either OF the passes, to the exclusion Of the Do
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 10 be
deePened, or the distance along either channel to
which the work must extend in order to obtain
either OF tic specified depths, cannot for want OF
accurate Information TO their present condition
De stated Persons who desire to undertake the
expected, therefore, to inform hemi elves
OF It's extent, and ofthe best means ofaccomp lish.
Ing 1t =
After contract has been entered into, the place
and directions Of the channels to be opened will
on IN f1nD
Officers appointed for that purpose by the secre.
tary Of War, ind :he amount which may be
agreed upon for opening each will be paid after
each has been completed and found, upon exaui.
NATION oy an othcer or officers, appointed as above
TO be conformable, In all respects to the sipula
lions 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
have been completed, examined, and approved,
as above specified.
At the Siration Of one third Of the time dur
ing which the channels are to be kent open
eighty per cent Of one-third Of the whole amount
OF the contract for keeping OPEN will he paid al
tue expiration OF twO-thTds Of the time an addi-
lonaI payment OF one third OF the whole amount
contracted FOR Will be paid and at the expiration
OF the whole time during which the channels are
TO De Kept open, the tWety per cent retained AZ the
| arst payment, and the remaining third OF the
Whoie amount OF the contract for keeping the
channels open, will be paid; but no payment will
be made until after the channels have been cxam-
med at each period Of Payment, 10y an officer OK
OAOSIo 1ppolEtti 10y Tue SECRETARY OK war ana
found to be in all respects comfortable 20 con
tract.
Proposals must be accompanied by evidence OF
ability to execute the work In the way and within
Inc tune proposed, and should be addressed 10 the
Engineer Department, Washington, and en-
dorsed Proposals for opening chm nels at outlets
Of the Mississippi Ilyeri'
NAen tic time within which proposals are 70
De received has expired they will be opened and
considered, and contract be entered into Wi Ia
INC bldder or bidders whose plan II operation and
evidence Of ability TO execute the woik are
satisfactory to the Secretary Of War -
10 be inserted ior thirty days In the National In
the Commercial Bulletin, and the True iIclta
New Orleans; tie Mobile Register, Mobile; the
Argus, and the Pennsylvania, at Philadelphia
me Day BOOK, and the Journal Of Commerce
New York; the Times, and the Post, Boston the
Republican, and the Pilot, st Louis the Enc Jul
IcT, Cinrinnati add the Democrat, Louisville.
Accounts Tor advertising, with two copies OF
gfneef Department for PAYMENT an 5d3Ot