The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1868-07-05
New Orleans, OPeIOu and Great Western
Railroad.

New orleans, jane 8, 1868.
The New Orleans. 0pelousas and Great West
ern Railroad Company. desiring that q connection
shall be formed between their present terminus at
Berwick's Bay and the Houston and New Orleans
Railroad, which terminates at the Sabine river,
and which when completed (the distance being
l63 miles, will connect New Orleans with almost
the entire railroad system of Texas, the presi-
dent and directors Of said company, therefore,
propose to such party or parties as may under.
take to gil up such gap the following terms and
conditions, to-Wit
]. Will lease the right Of way and the franchises
now possessed by said company from their present
terminus at Berwicks Bay to the iowa of Yer.
milionve, the grading OF which is almost entirely
completed for these sixty three miles, and will, at
the same time, lease the right under their charter
to build the branch railroad from Vermlionville
to the Sabine river, at or near Orange, the same
having been already located by resolution of the
board of directors. The distance between these
points is 100 miles. The company reserving to
itself the right Of way and transportation on pay.
ment of prOporiionate freights and passage money
from the present terminus of the road to any ex.
tension towards Opelousas OF its road beyond
Vermionville.
2. The said lease to continue for a term Of years
10 be agreed upon between the company and the
lessees. At the end of the lease the property to
be valued by disinterested parties, the railroad
company to select three and the lessees three, the
two, if need be- TO call in an umpire, whose deci.
sion will be final. The railroad company reserv-
ing the right 10 purchase said property at such
valuation, but if not then promptly paid for by
said company the lease to be extended for a
further term of years, and so on until finally pur
chased and paid for by said New Orleans, 0pe.
lousas and Great Western Railroad Company.
The grading already made between Berwick's Bay
and Vermilionvie to be valued by competent engi-
neers at the time OF entering into a contract, but
not to 10 paid for by essees until the end of the
first lease, herein provided for.
3. The parties leasing TO Obligate themselves to
connect with no other railroad which might here.
after be built, terminating at near the city of
New Orleans, and further obgating themselves
10 do no act which will infringe the rights under
the present charter of said company. and also to
hold said company harmless against any loss
which might result from acts committed on that
portion Of road now proposed to be leased.
4. Should the lessees succeed in obtaining
land grant on the line of railroad beyond Ber
wick's Bay, it will be and remain the property of
said ltssees, this company claiming none of its
benefits, and mourning no portion of the respon-
sibty attending it.
S. Transportation to be furnished said lessees
over the compsny's road, as follows, viz:
The president, directors and officers of the
road, including engineers, superintendents, road
masters and bridge builders free Of charge.
Transportation of lsborers going out TO be
charged one-third the regular fare. Provisions
aud supplies to be charged one-half of regular
rates. Material, other than iron and cross.tes to
be charged Opha # regular rates gp Be
fifteen cents each Lessees to load and unload
the cas-.
6. The road thus to be built shall I've first class
railroad in every respect. The gusge to be the
same the cOmpany's road-say 5 feet inches.
The iron used not 20 be less than IS pounds per
yard.
Z. The said lessees to obligate themselves TO
commence said road within four months, and have
1t finished and in running order 70 the sabine
river, connecting with the Houston road at or
near Orange, within three years from date of
signing the lease.
8. In order to insure the faithful performance
Of the contract the lessees will be required TO ex
ecute a bond to an amount, aud with good and
satisfactory security to the satisfaction Of the
board of directors.
9. The company reserves the right to reject
any snd all bids.
Another proposition, and for which proposals
are also invited, is TO lease the road, Including
depots stations, rolling stock etc., from Algiers,
opposite New Orleans TO Brashear City nclud-
ing the franchises of the company beyond to
Texas, under the following condtions
l. That the party or parties proposing to lease
shall state the least number of years he or they
will lease the road, on the following conditions:
2. The accrued interest to October l, lS6S, on
the mortgage bonds, (said bonds maturing in
1887 to be provided for by the lessee.
3. The semi annual interest on the same bonds
accruing yearly after date. and payable on the
first days of April and OF October of each year,
say $4,000 per annum, to be also provided for
by said lessee.
wick's Bay to New iberia, thence to a point at or
near Vernilionvie, thence in a westerly direction
TO point on the Sabine river, connecting with the
Houston and Beaumont road.
). The building of the road to be commenced
within four months after signing the contract of
lease, TO be prosecuted with all dispatch. and to
be fully and finally constructed within three
years from the signing of the lease.
8. The grading, culverts, etc., now made be.
yond Berwick's Bay, to be taken by the lessee at
valuation TO be ascertsned by experts, one TO
be appointed by each party, in case of disagree.
ment they TO select an umpire, and to be paid for
on such terms as shall be hereafter agreed on.
T. The road to be built, equipped and maintained
during the entire lease as first class road ia every
respect.
S. At the close of said lease the said road, de.
pots, stations, rolling stock, etc.. from Berwick's
Bay TO the Texas line, shall be valued By experts,
one to be appointed by each of the parties hereto
and in the event of disagreement, the two to Sc.
lect an umpire, whose decision shall be final The
value thereof thus ascertained shall be subscribed
as stock in the present company, tbeng well IN
derst0od that all costs of maintenance as well as
expense of operating the road shall be at the ex.
elusive charge Of the lessee.
8. The contract with Charles Morgan for run.
ming line of steamers to Texas, extending to ISL,
TO be carried out by the lessee in every respect.
10. The present road to Berwick's Bay. includ.
ing depots machine shops, rolling stock, bridges
ETC.. to be turned over to the lessee after iuven.
tory and apprssment, and the said property, or
property OF like character and value and like con.
ditiOn and good order, to be returned to the com.
pany at the expiration of said lease.
IL. The lessee, TO insure the faithful perform
ance of this contract to furnish security to the
satisfaction of the board of directors.
II. The said lessees shall contribute and pay
each year the sum Of 5000, payable quarterly, 10
keep up and maintain the organization of the rail-
road company during the existence of this lease.
Is. The said lessees obligate themselves to do
no act which may operate forfeiture Of the char.
ter. and shall hold the said n. o., O. and q. W.R.
r. Co. harmless against any and ali acts OF theirs.
Sealed proposals will be received at the Office
of the company in New Orleans, No. 60 Canal
street, until the first day of September next, at IL
O'Clock NJ, the company reserying the right Of re.
jecting any or all bids.
For particular information apply to
c.. LEvERICH,