The American Commissioners: Contract with —
Mercier for the Repair of Arms
DS: American Philosophical Society
<Charleville, May 30, 1777, in French: Mercier will engage at
least forty qualified workmen to come to Nantes as soon as
possible. He will contract with each of them at a fixed price,
not to exceed 2 l.t. 2 sols for each gun that needs to be dismantled,
cleaned, and reassembled; any new work will be done
as cheaply as possible. He will obtain parts from the manufacturers
at the best price he can and no profit for himself. The
commissioners will provide a workman with 3 l.t. a day on the
way to Nantes, or 5 l.t. should he bring a wife and children,
for as many days as Mercier thinks reasonable for the journey;
each man, if he performs satisfactorily, will receive 50 l.t. when
the project is finished. Mercier may lend a maximum of 500 l.t.
to any of them who is in debt. They will be furnished with
free lodging, heat, and light, but pay for everything else. They
will bring their own tools, except fixtures, or be charged for
those provided them. Mercier will arrange to have some swords
and sabers repaired at a fixed price and no profit to himself.
The commissioners will pay him 7½ sols for every gun and
pair of pistols properly repaired, up to a total of 22,500 l.t. for
60,000 arms; if there are more or fewer weapons he will receive
the same amount. Should the repairs for any reason stop,
he will remain in the service of the United States for three
years from the present date, either in France or America, and
be compensated at the end as if the work had been completed.
He will keep regular accounts, verified at least once a month,
of everything pertaining to the operation; these books will be
presented for inspection whenever requested by the commissioners’
agent in Nantes. Approved, signed, and dated by Mercier.>
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