If the delay of the arrival of said mail continue until the hour for the departure of any connecting mail, whereby the mails destined for such connecting mails shall miss a trip, it shall be considered a whole trip lost, and a forfeiture of one hundred dollars shall be incurred; and a failure to take the mail, or to make the proper exchange of mails at connecting points, shall be considered a whole trip lost; and for any delay or failure equal to a trip lost, the Postmaster General shall have full power to annul this contract.

That the said contractors shall be answerable for the persons to whom they shall commit the care and transportation of the mail, and accountable for any damage which may be sustained through their unfaithfulness or want of care.

That seven minutes after the delivery of the mail at any postoffice on the aforesaid route named on the annexed schedule, shall be allowed the postmaster for opening the same, and making up another mail to be forwarded.

The contractors agree to discharge any driver or carrier of said mail whenever required to do so by the Postmaster General.

That when the said mail goes by stage, such stage shall be suitable for the comfortable accommodation of at least seven travelers; and the mail shall invariably be carried in a secure dry boot, under the driver’s feet, or in the box which constitutes the driver’s seat, under a penalty of fifty dollars for each omission; and when it is carried on horseback, or in a vehicle other than a stage, it shall be covered securely with an oil cloth or bear skin, against rain or snow, under a penalty of twenty dollars for each time the mail is wet, without such covering.

Provided always, That this contract shall be null and void in case the contractors or any person that may become interested in this contract, directly or indirectly, shall become a postmaster or an assistant postmaster. No member of Congress shall be admitted to any share or part of this contract or agreement, or to any benefit to arise thereupon; and this contract shall, in all its parts, be subject to its terms and requisitions of an act of Congress, passed on the 21st day of April, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eight, entitled, “An act concerning public contracts.”

And it is mutually covenanted and agreed by the said parties that this contract shall commence on the first day of January next, and continue in force until the thirty-first day of December, inclusively, which will be in the year one thousand eight hundred and thirty-five.

In witness whereof, They have hereunto interchangeably set their hands and seals the day and year first above written.

(Signed.)JAMES REESIDE.(Seal.)
SAM’L R. SLAYMAKER.(Seal.)
JESSE TOMLINSON.(Seal.)

Signed, sealed and delivered in the presence of