Bid proposals for construction work on Black River Canal reservoirs

The Contracting Board, consisting of the Canal Commissioners, the Comptroller, and the State Engineer and Surveyor, was established in 1854 to let contracts on behalf of the state for canal work. Newspapers published advance notice of public meetings at which sealed proposals would be submitted to the Contracting Board. The contract was to be awarded to the lowest bidder, and all proposals copied into a book for that purpose.

The series consists of transcriptions of proposals to complete Black River Canal reservoirs. Contracting for the reservoirs began in 1855, and work was completed by 1861. The reservoirs were designed to restore to the Black River the quantity of water diverted to the Black River Canal and the enlarged Erie Canal. Contractors submitted nine proposals to the Contracting Board for completion of construction of the South Branch Reservior and the Woodhall Reservior. The proposals were then transcribed into this volume.

The proposals are on standard forms containing information on name of contractor; contractor's town and county of residence in New York; schedule of projected costs for various tasks and materials needed to complete the work; amount of bond given by contractor for payment of laborers' wages; names of persons signing bond; city and date of signing of proposal; and notarization.

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