[Copy] [Contract with the [undecipherable: probable reading "Rufus"] Hopkins & Sylvanus Hopkins for supplying Iron Cannon No 13 of April [17]99] Articles of Agreement made on the Thirty first day of July in the year of our Lord One thousand seven hundred and ninety nine, Between James Mc Henry Esquire, Secretary of the Department of War, for and on behalf of the United States of America of the one part, and Rufus Hopkins and Sylvanus Hopkins of situate in the County of Providence and State of Rhode Island for and on behalf of the Owners of Hope Furnace, they being fully authorized by the said Owners, of the other part. This Agreement Witnesseth, that the said James Mc Henry for and on behalf of the United States of America, and the said Rufus Hopkins and Sylvanus Hopkins, in virtue of powers to them granted, on behalf of the owners of Hope Furnace, have mutually covenanted and agreed and by these presents, do mutually covenant and agree as follows: First That the said Rufus Hopkins and Sylvanus Hopkins for and on behalf of the owners of Hope Furnace shall on or [strikethrough: undecipherable] before the First day of May which will be in the year one thousand eight hundred, deliver for the use of the United States, to such person as may be designated by the Secretary of War, Fifty Iron Cannon to be Twenty four pounders, Fifty Iron Cannon to be Eighteen pounders, fifty Iron Cannon to be Twelve pounders, and Thirty Iron Cannon to be [strikethrough: undecipherable] Nine pounders. Second. That all the said Cannon shall be cast in the solid, bored with competent Machinery and smoothed on the outside, from any asperities, in a turning Machine. Third. That the aforesaid Cannon, shall be formed agreeably to Drafts, to be furnished by the Secretary of War, at the expence of the United States, and submitted to the said Rufus Hopkins and Sylvanus Hopkins, for their approval, and it is explicitly agreed and understood, that no allowance shall be made to the said Rufus Hopkins and Sylvanus Hopkins on account of errors in the said Drafts, and that inefficient Cannon cannot be received and paid for, although formed in every particular conformably to the said drafts. Fourth. That the said Cannon, after having been bored and before undergoing any proof, shall be examined by a person or persons to be appointed on behalf of the United States in the presence of such other person as may be named by the said Rufus Hopkins and Sylvanus Hopkins, or in case they shall name no person, after due notice, by the person or persons appointed on the behalf of the United States alone, which examination shall commence by a verification of the diameter of the different parts, the length of the Cannon, location of the Trunnions, and ascertainment whether there are more internal and external cavities ^{or defects} than are specified in the Table annexed to this Instrument, exhibiting the defects which are to be tolerated, and in all cases where the Bore or Caliber is found to be less than the Diameter prescribed, the Cannon shall be returned to the boring Machine to be enlarged before being proved, and in all cases where the bore shall exceed by one tenth of an inch the prescribed diameter, the Cannon shall be rejected without further examination, and in all ^other cases where the defects are greater than those tolerated in the said Table, or Trunnions misplaced, the examination shall cease, and the Cannon be rejected, and waves in the bore, or any deviation in it, from an exact Cylinder, will be sufficient to cause the Cannon to be rejected, without further examination. Fifth. That the Bores of the Cannon to be cast in pursuance of this Contract shall be perfectly round and of the following Diameters, viz: Of a Twenty-four pounders, five Inches seven tenths and an half of a tenth of an inch Of an Eighteen pounder, five inches two tenths and a quarter of a tenth of an inch — Of a Twelve pounder, four inches five tenths and an half of a tenth of an inch — And of a nine pounder, four inches one tenth and an half of a tenth of an Inch. And that the shot for the proof of the said Cannon respectively shall be perfectly round, without Cavities, and of the following diameters, viz: For a Twenty four pounder, five inches five tenths and forty seven hundredth parts of a tenth of an inch — for an Eighteen pounder five inches and four tenths of a tenth of an inch — for a Twelve pounder four inches and four tenths of an inch. And for a Nine pounder, four inches. Sixth. That all instruments proper to be employed to ascertain dimensions and discover cavities or holes, in the internal and external parts of Guns may be used for the purpose. Seventh. That the touch hole shall end in the Cannon at the middle of the rounding of the angle at the Bottom of the Bore; and if any holes shall be found in the Touch-hole deeper than the twentieth part of an inch, the Cannon are not to be admitted to proof until the touch-hole shall be bored out, and a piece of wrought Iron fixed therein, in the manner used for Brass pieces in which piece of Iron the touch hole is to be drilled. Eighth. That the Trunnions shall be perpendicular to the verticle plane, which is supposed to pass through the touch-hole, and to cut the Bore into two equal parts. The upper part of the Trunnions shall be level with the Center of the Caliber or Bore; and the usual relative weight shall be preserved between the Breuch and chase. Ninth. That the proof by powder shall be as follows, viz: Each Cannon shall be proved by two successive Discharges. The weight of the powder for the first discharge, shall be equal to two thirds of the weight of the Ball; and for the second equal to half the weight of the Ball. The Cartridge to be well rammed down, with a wad over it. Two Balls to be placed over the Cartridge, with a wad between them and a wad above; which also shall be well rammed down. The shot to be used in proving the Cannon shall be furnished by the Contractors at their own expences, and such only shall be used, as shall pass inspection, by the Inspector of Artillery, or the person or persons that may be appointed to inspect, and prove the Cannon. Tenth. That to ascertain the strength of the Trunnions, the Cannon shall be placed on two pieces of wood, to be provided at the expence of the said Rufus Hopkins and Sylvanus Hopkins, having indentations large enough to receive two thirds of the Trunnions, and with the hinder part at a sufficient distance from where the Trunnions lodge, so that the Breech of the Cannon may be inclined in any direction; but never so as to rest on the ground. The proof by powder to be made on the said pieces of wood. Eleventh. That the Cannon which shall have stood the proof by powder, shall be raised from off the Temporary Carriage and placed upon a supporter, and filled with water; and should the water, on being compressed, filter through any part of the Cannon, the same shall not be received by the United States although they have stood proof by powder. Twelfth. That the Cannon which shall have stood the aforesaid examination and proofs, shall be subject nevertheless to be reexamined; and if new holes are detected, or the ones tolerated, found to have been enlarged by the firing, all such Cannon shall undergo a second proof; but of one discharge only, with two thirds powder and two Balls, as before specified; when if the holes exhibit no further enlargement, the said Cannon shall be admitted and receipted for, after being weighed. Thirteenth. That the weight of each Cannon received shall be marked on the left Trunnion. The expence of weighing and marking the Cannon to be borne by the Contractors. Fourteenth. That the said Cannon after being approved and receipted for, shall be delivered by the said Rufus Hopkins and Sylvanus Hopkins, at their own proper cost and expence, at a wharf on the Bank of Some River, Creek or water, where a decked vessel of Sixty Tons burthen can load and unload. Fifteenth. That the United States shall be at the expence of examining and proving the said Cannon (except in the particulars above agreed to be chargeable to the contractors) and of the powder used in proving them, and shall when required, send a person to prove such of them as are ready, provided the number is not less than twelve, but the first proof may be made of a less number. Sixteenth. That Six thousand dollars shall be paid to the said Rufus Hopkins and Sylvanus Hopkins, upon the execution and on account of this Contract; and as soon as one half of the number of the said Cannon are finished and receipted for, payment shall be made therefor, at the price hereafter mentioned, including however in the said payment, any advances which may have been made to the said Rufus Hopkins and Sylvanus Hopkins on account of this Contract. Seventeenth. That the said James Mc Henry, or the Secretary of War for the time being, shall pay or cause to be paid to the said Rufus Hopkins and Sylvanus Hopkins, on behalf of the Owners of Hope Furnace, the price of One hundred and thirty [strikethrough: undecipherable] Dollars for every Ton weight, which the said Cannon shall weigh, after being proved and receipted for. In Witness whereof the said James Mc Henry Secretary of War; on behalf of the United States, hath hereunto Subscribed his Name and affixed the seal of the War Office; and the said Rufus Hopkins and Sylvanus Hopkins on behalf of the owners of Hope Furnace, have hereunto set their hands and Seals the day and year above written. Signed James Mc Henry Sec^t of War Rufus Hopkins [seal] Silvanus Hopkins [seal] Signed Sealed and Delivered in the presence Francis Tompkins as to James Mc Henry J. Lewis Jun^r Do Oliver Leach } as to Rufus and William Ranndel } Sylvanus Hopkins Signing True Copy John Goulding