The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1868-07-09
New Orleans, OpeIousas and Great Western
Railroad.

OFFICE N. o., o. AND G. w. RAILROAD Co.,
New Orleans, June 6, 1868. I
The New Orleans, Opelousas and Great West
ern Railroad Company, desiring that 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
I63 mies) 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 fill up such gap the following terms and
conditions, to-wit;
j. viii lease the right of way and the franchises
now possessed by said company from their present
terminus at Berwick's Bay TO the towl of Yer
mionville, 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
70 build the branch railroad from Vermilionyille
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 reservng 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
Vermilionvile.
2. The said lease to continue for term of years
to 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, il need be, to call in an 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
eaid company the lease to be extended for
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 Vermilionvile to be valued by competent engi-
neers at the time Of entering into a contract, bat
not to be paid for by essees until the end of the
first lease, herein provided for.
8. The parties leasing to obligste themselves to
connect with no other railroad which might here
after be built terminating at or near the city of
New Orleans, and further obligating themselves
to do no act which will infringe the rights under
the present charter of said company, aud 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.
L. Should the lessees succeed in obtaining
land grant Oh 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-
sibility attending it.
5. Transportation to be furnished said lessees
over the compsny's road, as follows, viz:
The president. directors and officers OF the
road, including engineers, superntendents, road
masters and bridge builders free Of charge.
Transportation of laborers going out TO be
charged one-third the regular fare. Provisions
aud supplies 10 be charged half of regular
rates. Material, other than iron.and cross ties, to
be charged onehalf of regular rates. Iron to be
charged one dollar per ton and crossties (if any
fifteen cents each. Lessees to load and unload
the cars.
g. The road thus to be built shall be first class
railroad in every respect. The gusge to be the
same as the company 8 road-say feet inches.
The iron used not 20 be less than IS pounds per
yard.
7. The said lessees to obligste themselves to
commence said road within four months, and have
it finished and in running order TO the Sabine
river, connecting with the Houston road al or
near Orange, within three years from date of
signing the lease.
3. In order to insure the faithful performance
of the contract the lessees will be required to
ecute bond to an amount, and 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
ere also invited, is to lease the road, inclu ling
depots, stations rolling stock, ETC.. from Agiers,
opposite New Orleans, to Brashear City, iaclud-
ing the franchises of the company beyond to
Texas, under the following conditions:
/. 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 /, 1868, on
the mortgage bonds, (said bonds maturing in
1881 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 100000 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 Vermionville, thence In q westerly direction
to point the Sabine river, connecting with the
Houston and Beaumont road.
s. 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.
6. The grading, culverts etc., now made be.
yond Berwck's Bay, TO be taken by the lessee at
i
be appointed by each party, 10 case OF disagree.
ment they to select an umpire, and to be paid for
on such terms shall be hereafter agreed on.
z. The road to be built, equipped and maintained
during the entire lease as first class roadin every
respect.
8. 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, 1t beng well IN
derstood that all costs OF maintenance, as well as
expense of operating the road, shall be at the eX
elusive charge OF the lessee.
g. The contract with Charles Morgan for run
ming line of steamers to Texas, extending to ISL,
10 be carried out by the lessee in every respect
10. The present road TO Berwick's Bay. inclnd-
ing depots machine shops, rolling stock, bridges,
etc., TO be turned over to the lessee after iuven-
tory and appraisment and the said property, or
property Of like character and value and like con-
dtion and good order 10 be returned to the com.
pany at the expiration Of said lease:
III. The lessee, TO insure the faithful perform
ance Of this contract, TO furnish security to the
satisfaction of the board Of directors
IL. The said lessees shall contribute and pay
each year the sum of 5000, payable quarterly, TO
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 G. 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. 50 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.P. LEvERICH,
President Bank Of New York.
JOSEPH G. BUTLER.