[Septem^r 7^th 1798 [Th]omas Tousey and [Sa]m^l. Chipman } contracts with United States— for manufacturing 1000 muskets. Recorded in Contract Book B page 176. Comptrollers Office Recorded in Contract Book N^o 3 page 48— [undecipherable] [undecipherable] Tousey & Chipman Contracts 1798] Articles of Agreement made on the Seventh Day of September —— One Thousand Seven Hundred and Ninety-Eight, between OLIVER WOLCOTT Secretary of the Treasury of the United States, of the one part, and Thomas Tousey & Samuel Chipman of Vergennes —— in the State of Vermont —— of the other part. First. THE said Parties of the Second Part contract and engage to manufacture within the United States, and deliver to such person or persons as shall be appointed by the Secretary of the Treasury, or the Secretary of War, for the time being — One Thousand —— stands of Arms, or Muskets, with Bayonets and Ramrods complete and fit for service—One third of the whole number to be delivered within eight months—One other third within fourteen months, and the remaining third with-eighteen months from the date of these presents. Second. THE said Arms shall be delivered at Albany .. .. .. .. in the State of New York —— and shall be [undecipherable: probable reading "made"] after the Charleville model. The Barrels shall be proved and the Muskets inspected agreeably to the rules now practised and required by the United States; the Locks shall be duly hardened; the Ramrods and Bayonets shall be properly tempered; and the Mountings, Stocks, and every other particular shall be finished in a workman-like manner, in all parts precisely, or as near as possible, conformably to two patterns, which have been marked, and sealed by the contracting parties [to this] [undecipherable] of which patterns, the party of the second part hereby acknowledges to have received. Third. THE Barrels shall be proved, and the Muskets inspected at Vergennes — aforesaid — .. — .. .. by a person or persons to be appointed by the Secretary of the Treasury, or the Secretary of War. When due notice shall have been received by the party of the first part, that One Hundred —— — .. — .. — .. Barrels are ready for the test; the proof shall commence, on like notice that a further number of Two — Hundred — Barrels are ready, the same shall also be proved; after which the United States shall not be required to prove less than Three Hundred and Fifty — Barrels at one time. The wages of the Inspector; the expense of powder and ball; and all other expenses attending the proving and inspecting, shall be borne by the United States. Fourth. THE Stocks of the Muskets shall be made of well seasoned black walnut timber, when the same can be procured by the Contractor, otherwise, of well seasoned, tough maple timber; or the United States shall cause to be delivered, at Philadelphia, to the party of the second part, if the same shall be required, — One Thousand —— well seasoned black walnut stocks in the rough, as they have been usually received into the public stores, at the rate of twenty-five cents each. Fifth. THE party of the first part, contracts for and on behalf of the United States to pay or allow in settlement, Thirteen Dollars and Forty Cents, for each and every of the Stands of Arms which shall be manufactured according to the pattern, and delivered after proof and inspection as aforesaid. In witness whereof the said Secretary of the Treasury on behalf of United States, hath hereunto subscribed his hand and affixed the Seal of the Treasury; and the said Thomas Tousey & Samuel Chipman .. — .. — .. — .. — .. — .. — hath hereto set their hands and seals the day and year first above written. [seal of the Treasury] [signature: Oliv Wolcott] [signature: Sec^y the Trea[sury]] Signed, Sealed and Deliver-} ed in the Presence of } Ros. D. Hopkins Benja Wait Hopkins Thomas Tousey [seal] Sam^l. J. Chipman [seal]