[Docket: Contract [of] Griffith [undecipherable] Benjamin [undecipherable] [undecipherable] for building [undecipherable] [undecipherable] of the works [undecipherable] Johnston [undecipherable] Allowed amount on 1 June 1799 — [undecipherable] 13 Sept 1800 — 2416.66 15 Nov 1800 — 2416.66                         [undecipherable] April [undecipherable], 1803.] [Copy] This Agreement entered into & concluded upon by and between Benjamin Smith of Brunswick County Esquire of the one part and Griffith J McRee Agent of the War Department of the United States of the other part, relative to the erecting or repairing the works upon the site of old Fort Johnston in said Brunswick County. Witnesseth that he the said Benjamin Smith hath agreed and doth hereby agree to build the walls of the place and revettments of the ditch or fose of the composition of shell lime and Sand fabricated and prepared in the best and most durable manner to the amount of eighty one thousand and sixty nine cubic feet and to open the ditch containing one hundred and sixty eight thousand three hundred and forty four cubic feet and remove the excavation thereof to make and complete the rampart, parapet and glacis all in such form and manner as the Agent of the War Department shall direct the interior of the revettment of the ditch, and one of the bastions with its branch and crotch to be completed this Season and the remainder on or before the 31^st day of December which will be in the Year 1800. In consideration whereof, and as a compensation for such Services he the said Griffith J McRee on behalf of the United States hath agreed and doth hereby agree to give the said Benjamin Smith the sum of Fourteen thousand five hundred Dollars to be paid in manner following: that is to say, one third part of the said Sum in advance, one third part on completion of half the works one sixth part of said Sum whenever the half of the exterior revettment, and half of the remaining bastion, branch & crotch shall be completed, and the remaining sixth part when the whole of said works shall be completed — Provided always and it is hereby understood, agreed upon and declared by both the said parties to this agreement, that if said works should be obstructed by invasion or imminent danger from foreign enemies; that then and in that case he the said Benjamin Smith shall be allowed a reasonable time from the termination of such invasion or danger to complete the said works in manner aforesaid. For the true and faithful performance of all and singular the Covenants and agreements herein contained, each of the said parties to these presents, hereby binds himself to the other. In Witness whereof the parties aforesaid have hereunto interchangeably set their hands & Seals at Wilmington, State of North Carolina this first day of June in the Year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety nine. (signed,) Benj.^o Smith [seal] G. J. McRee [seal] Witness Sam.^d R. Jocelyn True Copy (Lewis Jun.^r,) [seal]