[Copy of a Contract made with John Bray Esq. to furnish Rations [to] the Troops of the U.S. also stationed in the Counties of Somerset & Middlesex & the Township of Baskenridge [and] the [Township of] Middletown [to] all the [undecipherable] Recruiting District 6: New Jersey John [undecipherable] Certif[undecipherable]] [Copy] Articles of Agreement, made this sixth day of April in the year of our Lord seventeen hundred and ninety nine between John Bray Esq. of New Brunswick in the County of Somerset and State of New Jersey of the one part, and Jonathan Rhea of Trenton, for and in behalf of the Secretary of War of the United States, of the other part Whereas a Recruiting Rendezvous is established at New Brunswick designated by District N° 3. and to include the Counties of Somerset & Middlesex, and the township of Baskenridge in the county of Morris, and the township of Middletown in the county of Monmouth in the said state of New Jersey; and it being necessary that provision should be made for such troops as may be stationed, marched or recruited within said District, for and during the residue of the year 1799, the said John Bray doth agree, that he will furnish to all such troops and recruits, all rations they may be entitled to receive upon returns to be made by the proper officer whose duty it may be to make such returns, and will procure proper receipts for the rations he may so furnish; that he will supply rum, whiskey, or other ardent spirits, at the rate of half a gill per ration, and vinegar, at the rate of two quarts for every hundred rations, when thereunto required; that he will supply the troops with fuel and straw; and further, that he will answer all requisitions made for rations by Major General Hamilton, or officers acting under his authority, and that he will finally settle his accounts at the office of the Treasury of the United States — And the said Jonathan Rhea doth agree, that the said John Bray shall and may be paid on account, any sum or sums of money not exceeding the amount of his supplies, on his signing duplicate receipts for the same. And it is further agreed between the said parties, that the ration to be supplied shall consist of the following articles, and be furnished at the following prices or rates, to wit: Eighteen ounces of bread or flour, or, when neither can be obtained, one quart of rice, or one and an half pounds of sifted or bolted Indian meal; when not exceeding fifty rations daily at the rate or price of 5 Cents 8 Mills; when not exceeding one hundred daily 5 Cents 6 Mills; when not exceeding two hundred daily, 5 Cents 5 Mills; when not exceeding three hundred daily 5 Cents 5 Mills; when exceeding four hundred daily 5 Cents 5 Mills. If Indian meal should be supplied 4 Cents, if rice 6 Cents — One pound and a quarter of fresh beef, or one pound of salted beef, or three quarters of a [underline: pound of salted pork, and when fresh meat is issued,] salt at the rate of two quarts for every hundred rations, when not exceeding fifty rations daily; at the rate or price of 7 Cents 8 Mills; when not exceeding one hundred daily 7 Cents 6 Mills; when not exceeding two hundred daily, 7 Cents 4½ mills; when not exceeding three hundred daily, 7 Cents 4 Mills; when exceeding four hundred daily, 7 Cents 3½ mills — Soap at the rate of four pounds, and candles at the rate of a pound and an half for every hundred rations, at the rate or price of 8 Cent 8 Mill; and that rum, whiskey, or other ardent spirits, shall be furnished, for every half gill, at the rate or price of 8 Cent 5 Mills — vinegar at the rate of two quarts for every hundred rations, at the price of 8 Mills — Straw, per sheaf, to weigh 14 lb. at the price of 4 Cents — Oak and other wood, to be supplied at five per Cent. all which articles shall be of good wholesome and merchantable quality — And it is also further agreed, that each party shall have the privilege of discontinuing this Contract at any time, on his giving to the other party, one months notice of the same. For the true performance of every article and thing herein contained, each party binds himself, his heirs, executors, and administrators, to the other party, his heirs, executors, administrators & assigns, in the penal sum of Four thousand Dollars. In witness whereof, the parties to these presents, have hereunto set their hands and seals, the day and year first above written — Signed sealed & delivered } [Signed] John Bray [seal] in the presence of } Wm. Dunham J. Rhea [seal] [Price of Rations Cts Ms. When not exceeding 50 daily ...... 17 " [undecipherable] When not exceeding 100— do ...... 16 " 5 When not exceeding 200— do ...... 16 " 2½ When not exceeding 300— do ....... 16 " 2 When exceeding 400— do ...... 16 " 1½]