"5. The Sault St. Marie and Sarnia to be respectively the boundaries of
the Montreal Telegraph Company and of the Hudson's Bay Company and
their representatives, for the purposes of this Agreement.
"6. This Agreement to be for twenty-five years.
"(Signed) EDWD. W. WATKIN.
"(Signed) O. S. WOOD.
"Montreal, August 10th, 1863."
"Agreement between Mr. Edward W. Watkin and Mr. O. S. Wood, for the
construction of the telegraph between Fort Garry and Jasper House, and,
if hereafter agreed, between Fort Langley and Jasper House, and Fort
Garry and the United States boundary near Pembina (subject to the
approval of the Governor and Committee of the Hudson's Bay Company in
England).
"1. Mr. Wood to construct a telegraph, and all needful works and
stations, from Fort Garry to Jasper House, at the cost of the Hudson's
Bay Company, and to put the same in full operating order, and also
instruct, and where necessary provide, the staff for the operation and
repair of the line.
"2. Mr. Wood to proceed with Governor Dallas to St. Paul, with as
little delay as possible, and on to Fort Garry, if necessary; and to
make all arrangements required for transporting the telegraph wire,
insulators, fittings, instruments, and other materials to Fort Garry;
for distributing all materials from Fort Garry; for cutting, preparing,
and distributing the poles; and generally for commencing and for
completing the work (including a system of posts at proper distances
apart) in an efficient manner, and at the earliest period.
"3. Mr. Wood to receive the cordial aid and cooperation of the staff of
the Hudson's Bay Company in carrying out this work, under the orders,
instructions, and control of Governor Dallas.
"4. Mr. Wood's travelling and other necessary expenses, and the
salaries and other necessary expenses of his assistants, to be paid,
and, in consideration of his services, he is to receive the sum of ten
thousand (10,000) dollars, as a fixed payment; one-third to be paid on
the storage of the materials as above at Fort Garry, one-third upon the
completion of two hundred (200) miles of the telegraph, and one-third
on the completion and operation of the whole line between Fort Garry
and Jasper House; and further, should the whole be completed prior to
the 15th October, 1864, Mr. Wood is to receive a bonus of two thousand
(2,000) dollars, so soon as the line has been one month in operation;
and should the whole cost of the work not exceed thirty thousand
(30,000) pounds sterling, Mr. Wood to receive a further bonus of
fifteen per cent.
