The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1868-07-23
New Orleans Opelou.as and Great Western
Railroad.

OFFICE N. o., o. AND G. W. RAILROAD Co.,
New Orleans June g. 1858. (
The New Orleans. Opeousas 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 1.-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 I'LL up such gap the following terms and
conditions, to-wt:
/. Will lease the right of way and the franchises
now possessed by said company from their present
terminus at Berwick's Bay to the iowa of Yer.
miliOnville 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 Vermilionville
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 prOportionate freights and passage money
from the present terminus of the road to any ex-
tension towards Opelousas of its road beyond
Vermilionville.
2. The said lease to continue for a term of years
to be agreed upon between the company aud 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 umpire, whose deci.
sion will be final. The railroad company reserv-
ing the right TO 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, aud so on until finally pur.
chased and paid for by said New Orleans, Ope.
lousas and Great Western Railroad Company
The grading already made between Berwick's Bay
and Fermilionville to be valued by competent engi-
neers at the time Of entering into a contract but
not TO be paid for by lessees until the end of the
first lease, herein provided for.
3. The parties leasing to obligate themselves to
Nr.sek l.Nel.r I'LL
after be built, terminating at or near the city of
New Orleans. and further obligatng themselves
TO 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.
a. Should the lessees succeed in obtaining a
land grant on the line of railroad beyond Ber-
wick's Bay, it will be and remain the property of
said lessees, this company claiming none of its
benefits, and mourning no portion of the respon-
sibity attending it.
S. Transportation to be furnished said lessees
over the company's road, as follows, viz:
The president, directors aud officers Of the
road, including engineers, superintendent road
masters and bridge builders free of charge.
transportation of laborers going out 10 be
charged One-third the regular fare. Provisions
and supplies TO be charged one half of regular
rates. Material, other than iron and cross tiles to
be charged one.haf of regular rates. Iron TO be
charged one dollar per ton, and cross-ties (if any,
niteen cents each. Lessees to load and unload
the cars.
6. The road thus to be built shall be first class
railroad In every respect. The guage to be the
same as the company's r0ad-say feet inches
The iron used not 20 be less than So pounds per
yard.
Z. The said lessees to obligate themselves 10
commence said road within four mouths and have
1t finished and in running order to the Sabine
river, connecting with the Houston road at or
near Orange, within three years from date of
signing the lease.
8. In order 10 insure the faithful performance
OF the contract the lessees will be required to ex-
ecute bond TO an amount, aud with good and
satisfactory security 10 the satisfaction of the
board of directors.
8. The company reserves the right to reject
any and all bids.
Another proposition, and for which proposals
are also invited, is TO lease the road, Including
oepots stations, rolling stock, etc., from Algiers
opPosite New Orleans, to Brashear CITY, includ.
ing the franchises Of the company beyond to
Iexas, under the following conditions:
L: mat the party or parties proposing to lease
snail STATE the least number Of years he or they
viii lease the road, on the following conditions:
z. Inc accrued interest to October 1, 1858, on
1881 to be provided for by the lessee.
3. The semi annual interest on the same bonds.
accruine 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.
4. the road to be built over the route from Ber-
wick's Bay to New iberia, thence to point at or
near Veinilionvle, thence in q westerly direction
70 point on the Sabine river, connecting with the
Houston and Beaumont road.
Q. The building OF the road TO be commenced
within four months after signing the contract of
lease, 10 be prosecuted with ali dispatch and to
be fully and finally constructed within three
years from the signing of the lease.
6. The grading, cnlyerts, etc., now made be.
yond Berwicks Bay, 10 be taken by the lessee at
valuation to be sscertsined by experts, one to
DC appointed BY each party, in case OF disagree.