Contract documents for canal enlargement and repairs

Numerical.

These records document execution and fulfillment of contracts for canal construction and repairs.

The records include: the original agreements between the Canal Commissioners and contractors for excavation of the canal, for construction of locks, bridges, and other structures, and for general repairs; detailed specifications (generally printed) for the work; bonds given by contractors for performance of work and for payment of workmen's wages; "final estimates" or "final accounts" listing labor employed and materials used; affidavits of inspection of materials by the Superintendent of Repairs (usually) or Canal Commissioner (rarely); "estimates on contracts" listing amounts due monthly on Canal Enlargement contracts; and a few contracts and accompanying estimates of money due for earlier enlargement work.

The contract documents are generally labelled with name of contractor, date, sequential number, and location of work. Many were originally bundled together in numerical order and cased in cardboard drawers labelled with the words "Transferred Accounts" and the contract numbers and year. "Late" contracts come from the period 1878-1900, when contracts were entered into with the Superintendent of Public Works, an office established by constitutional amendment in 1876. Most of the contracts in this series were made pursuant to laws of 1847 and 1850 authorizing resumption of work on the Enlargement beginning in 1838 and ended by the "Stop Law" of 1842.

Series B0216, Canal system contract agreements and specifications, contains additional contracts and specifications for canal projects undertaken during this period

Series A1126, Abstracts and vouchers of expenditures, contains related records.

Container list.

There are no restrictions regarding access to or use of the material.