YH LH location and building Vol. 311

27 Office, L.H. Engineer, 13th District, Portland, Oregon, August. 5., 1871.

HENRY M. ROBERT, Maj. of Engr's & L.H. Eng'r, Thirteenth District.

Transmit for approval Contracts 2 with Ben Simpson 2 -"- (with) Joseph Bien 1 -"- (with) C.F. Brown Explanation etc

[Stamp OFFICE OF THE LIGHT HOUSE BOARD AUG 17 1871]

Johnson, has not Maj Robert directed (obscured) date of this contract to make use of the ??? of the Pacific Coast for the same date (missing word) inclosed Bein for. - E

(2 inclosures)

Office of the Light House Engineer, Thirteenth District, Portland, Oregon, August, 5, 1871 (partially missing)

Rear Admiral W.B. Shubrick Chairman Light House Board, Washington, D.C.

Sir:

I have the honor to transmit for the approval of the Light House Board duplicate leases dated May 1, 1871, for hire of storehouse at Yaquina Bay, Oregon, for one year from that date at a quarterly rent of $12.50 coin payable on or about the middle of each quarter.

I have the honor to state that at the time of hiring these premises it was absolutely necessary that I should do so at once to shelter the stores received for the building of the Light House at Yaquina Bay and as the building was large and near the landing requiring no handling of material till needed at the work I considered it worth $50.00

for the 1st quarter: at the same time I secured a storeroom that would be of service in building the Light House at Cape Foulweather.

I considered I had a right to hire a storeroom as well as build one and only made a written agreement to prevent the owner raising the price when he finds it was worth so much to me.

I have been in the habit of making written agreements for my own protection and to prevent any misunderstandings in all purchases in open market when the transaction requires time for its completion.

These do not seem to me to be contracts in the sense generally used in the laws and I have not located them as such.

I forward this lease, with the request for

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information as to whether I am right in my views upon the subject.

Very respectfully,

Your obedient servant,

Henry M. Robert

Maj. of Eng'rs & L.H. Eng'r, Thirteenth District

20

Office, L.H. Engineer, 13th District, Portland, Oregon

August 5, 1871

Henry M. Robert, Maj. of Engr's & L.H. Eng'r, Thirteenth District

Transmits for approval of L.H. Board 2 Leases of Storehouse from B. Pilbean??? and ask for information as to agreements generally.

Johnson make ??? for reply, Lease office

An agreement is a contract - purchases in open market must only be made when ??? time is invited.

?????