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matters mentioned in the resolve; and, if so, what and when, and by what officer, and under what authority.’
March 23.
, reported that the resolve for the equipment of troops for active service ought to pass; also the following communication from the
Sir,—In answer to the inquiry made by the
Honorable House of Representatives, ‘whether any contracts have been made or liabilities incurred in regard to any of the matters mentioned in the resolve reported to the
House, relating to the equipment of troops for active service, and, if so, when, and by what authority,’ I have the honor to say:—
Under the direction of His
Excellency the
Governor and the Honorable Council, the following contracts have been made by me as Adjutant and
Acting Quartermaster General:—
1st.
With the Middlesex Company,
Lowell, for 6,000 yards of cloth, six-fourths wide, to make 2,000 military overcoats, at $1.37 a yard.
2d.
With
William Deacon, to make 2,000 military overcoats at $2.15 each, he finding the trimmings, except the buttons.
3d.
With
James Boyd & Sons, to make 1,000 knapsacks, army pattern, and with
Edward A. G. Roulstone, to make 1,000 knapsacks, army pattern, severally at $1.88 each.
4th.
With
Converse,
Harding, & Co., for 1,000 pairs of blankets, army size, at $3.75 a pair.
5th.
With the Rubber Clothing Company,
Beverly, for 2,000 haversacks, at 75 cents each.
6th.
The buttons for the coats have been contracted for with the manufacturer at
Attleborough, and will cost about $740.
7th.
I was also authorized to contract for 200,000 ball-cartridges to suit the new rifled musket.
The lowest market price for these cartridges is $14 a thousand.
At the State Arsenal, at
Cambridge, there have been for many years upwards of 200,000 musket-balls suitable for the old smooth-bore musket.
I have caused these to be recast, and the cartridges made at the Arsenal; so that the entire cost to the
Commonwealth for the 200,000 new musket cartridges will not exceed $1,500.
The aggregate cost to the
Commonwealth to fulfil these contracts
