[Docket notation: contracts between [James?] McH[enry] & [undecipherable] / [Simeon?] North & / Office of War / [best?] articles am[ong?] / [the instant?] / Feb[ruary] [undecipherable] 1800] Articles of Agreement made on the 1^e day of Feb. 1800 Between James Mc.Henry Esq Sec. of the Dep.^t of War for and on behalf of the U.S. of America of the one part and Simeon North of Berlin in the State of Connecticut of the other part. First The said Simeon North for himself, his heirs, Executors and Administrators, contracts and agrees to manufacture within the U.S. and deliver at Middletown in the State of Connecticut, within two years from the date hereof to such person or persons as shall be appointed to receive the same by the Sec. of War for the time being, Fifteen hundred pistols, made & finished in the manner herein after mentioned, the deliveries to be made at such times within the said period of two years and in such parcels of not less than Five hundred in each parcel as shall be most agreeable to him the said Simeon North. Second The aforesaid pistols are to be made and finished in a workmanlike manner and of good materials, free from Cracks & flaws in every part, smooth bored to an exact Cylinder, and in fashion, goodness of materials and finish in all respects similar and not inferior to a pattern pistol to be furnished to the party of the second part upon his receipt except that the Bore or Calibre of the pistol is to be the same with that of [strikethrough: the pattern] Charleville Musket and that the Barrel and Ramrod are each to be one inch longer than the pattern: and also that that part of the Breech of the pistol which lies within the Brass may be formed round on the under part instead of being squared, but it is agreed that two squares shall be retained one on each side of the Breech as necessary to give a firm position to the barrels within the brass work. It is particularly required and agreed that the works of the locks must be of the best Iron, the steel used for the springs and the face of the hammer of the first quality, and that the stock must be formed of well seasoned Walnut, and all possible care taken that the grain of the wood shall correspond with the curve or bend of the stock. Third The pistols shall be proved at Berlin aforesaid, by a person or persons to be appointed by the Secretary of War for the time being, and as soon as five hundred barrels are ready for proof, due notice being thereof given to the party of the first part, the proof thereof shall be made, and on like notice, with respect to each successive five hundred necessary to make up the whole number, fifteen hundred, proof shall also be made of them. The proof to consist in each barrel being charged with one eighteenth part of a pound of powder, (the strength of which has been previously ascertained by a proper proof officer to be equal to throw a twenty four pound ball, from a Five and an half Inch Howitz, at an elevation of forty five degrees, Seventy yards, with a charge of one ounce thereof) and a leaden Bullet which will exactly fit the bore of the pistol and standing the discharge of the same, after which the person proving shall mark each barrel so proved with a stamp provided for that purpose. Fourth The pistols shall also be inspected at Berlin aforesaid by a person or persons to be appointed by the Secretary of War for the time being, and as soon as five hundred pistols are finally completed and put together, and ready for inspection, due notice thereof being given to the party of the first part, the inspection thereof shall be made, and on like notice with respect to each successive five hundred, necessary to make up the whole number fifteen hundred, inspection shall also be made of them. The inspection to consist in a careful examination of each pistol to see that it corresponds in every particular with the pattern, except as before mentioned, is free from Cracks & flaws made & finished in a workmanlike manner, and that the locks are sufficiently strong in their springs, and the stocks in wood & other particulars correspond with this agreement. The wages of the prover and Inspector and all incidental expences attending the proof and inspection as aforesaid shall be borne by the U States. Fifth The party of the first part contracts & agrees for and on behalf of the United States to pay Six Dollars for each and every pistol which shall be manufactured conformably to the pattern with the exceptions agreed upon, stand the proof, pass inspection and be delivered at Middletown aforesaid, and to furnish the said Simeon North with fifteen hundred flints for the said pistols. And it is understood by the said parties that no compensation or allowance can be demanded for pistols which may not stand proof or shall be rejected on inspection on account of their disagreement with the pattern in fashion or otherwise or in the particulars provided for or with the true intent & meaning of this contract. Sixth Two thousand Dollars shall be paid and advanced to the party of the second part on closing this Contract, all further advances shall be made at the discretion of the Secretary of the Department of War for the time being are regulated in proportion to the progress made in the manufacture and finishing of the pistols contracted for. The whole residue beyond the advance or advances that may be made of the price or amount of the whole fifteen hundred pistols, at the rate of Six Dollars, for each and every pistol contracted for, which after proof and inspection shall be delivered and receipted for at Middletown by a person appointed for the purpose, on the part of the United States, to be immediately and without delay, upon such delivery of [interlineation: the] whole fifteen hundred pistols, and receipt for the same, fully paid & satisfied. [decorative initial] In Witness where of the Said Secretary of the Department of War for and on behalf of the United States of America, hath hereunto Subscribed his name, and affixed the Seal of the War Office; and the Said Simeon North hath also subscribed his name & affixed his seal the day and year first above written. Signed James Mc.Henry Secy of War Simeon North [seal] Signed Sealed True Copy and delivered [undecipherable] in the presence Cl[er]k Dep.^t War of John Caldwell N.ⁿ Jones