Collinsville, Conn., March 30, 1857.
The undersigned agree to the following: First, Charles
Blair, of this place, is to make and deliver at the railroad depot in
Collinsville one thousand spears with handles fitted, of equal quality to one
dozen already made and sent to Springfield, Mass. The handles are to be six
feet in length, and the ferules to be made of strong malleable iron. The
handles to be well tied in bundles; and the blades with screws for fastening to
be securely packed in strong boxes suitable for the transportation of edge tools.
In consideration whereof, John Brown, late of Kansas, agrees to deposit five
hundred dollars with Samuel W. Collins within ten days from this date, in part
payment; and four hundred and fifty dollars as payment in fall for the above named
one thousand spears and handles within thirty days thereafter. The whole money
to be deposited with said Collins at Collinsville, and the spears and handles
to be held subject to the order of said Brown, on or before the first of July
next.
Charles Blair.
John Brown.
Collinsville, March 30, 1857.
Received of John Brown, Esq., fifty dollars on account of
spear contract.
Charles Blair.
Received on the within contract one hundred dollars.
Collinsville, April 22, 1857.
Received the same date two hundred dollars.
SOURCE: Franklin B. Sanborn, The Life and Letters of
John Brown, p. 377
