A Lengthy Letter Concerning A Contract To Supply Beef To A New Mexico Military Post

CHARLES A. WOODRUFF (1845-1920). Woodruff was an Army General. LS. 3pgs. 8” x 10”. June 26, 1883. Santa Fe, New Mexico. A letter signed “C. A. Woodruff” as Army Chief Commissary Officer in New Mexico. On official “Headquarters District of New Mexico Office of the Chief Commissary of Subsistence” letterhead, Woodruff wrote to a post commander about a contract to provide beef to his post. The letter is lengthy, with much legal content concerning procedures to finalize the contract. “Sir: Enclosed herewith please find contract in quintriplicate for supply of fresh beef on the block at your post. For signature of Francis H Creamer of Engle New Mexico who was awarded the contract for next fiscal year. Also duplicate bonds for the contractors and sureties signatures…Please satisfy yourself as to responsibility of bondsmen. The certificate of identity on the bond should be made by a judge of a U.S. Court – a U.S. District Attorney or by some other civil official of the U.S. If the before mentioned officials are not accessible than the Postmaster’s Certificate he being a civil official of the U.S.) can be substituted. The contractors shall sign the bonds as well as the contracts and be one of the parties thereto. All signatures must be witnessed by at least one witness, different witnesses if practicable. There shall be at least two sureties to the bond the signature of an attorney for his principal will not be received. Care should be taken that the contracts are not signed by the bondsmen. Each signature of the obligors and sureties must have affixed thereto a formal seal of wax or other adhesive substance. The affidavits of the sureties are to be taken before some official or person authorized by the laws of the U.S. State of Territory to administer & also Notaries and others before whom these oaths are taken are required to file with such affidavits a certificate of some court of record that they are so qualified. They should also state the date on which their commission expires…As soon as these papers are duly signed and witnessed & bonds completed please promptly return them to this office. A copy of the contract as soon as completed and approved will be furnished for file in your office. Very respectfully Your obt servant C. A. Woodruff”. The letter is in fine condition with folds.