Подорож на Місяць
Urbi Et Orbi
$1,446,675
Total,....$5,446,675
SuchwasthesumwhichthepublicpouredintothetreasuryoftheGunClub.
Letnoonebesurprisedatthevastnessoftheamount.Theworkofcasting,boring,masonry,thetransportofworkmen,theirestablishmentinanalmostuninhabitedcountry,theconstructionoffurnacesandworkshops,theplant,thepowder,theprojectile,andincipientexpenses,would,accordingtotheestimates,absorbnearlythewhole.Certaincannon-shotsintheFederalwarcostonethousanddollarsapiece.ThisoneofPresidentBarbicane,uniqueintheannalsofgunnery,mightwellcostfivethousandtimesmore.
Onthe20thofOctoberacontractwasenteredintowiththemanufactoryatColdspring,nearNewYork,whichduringthewarhadfurnishedthelargestParrott,cast-ironguns.ItwasstipulatedbetweenthecontractingpartiesthatthemanufactoryofColdspringshouldengagetotransporttoTampaTown,insouthernFlorida,thenecessarymaterialsforcastingtheColumbiad.Theworkwasboundtobecompletedatlatestbythe15thofOctoberfollowing,andthecannondeliveredingoodconditionunderpenaltyofaforfeitofonehundreddollarsadaytothemomentwhenthemoonshouldagainpresentherselfunderthesameconditions—thatistosay,ineighteenyearsandelevendays.
Theengagementoftheworkmen,theirpay,andallthenecessarydetailsofthework,devolvedupontheColdspringCompany.
Thiscontract,executedinduplicate,wassignedbyBarbicane,presidentoftheGunClub,oftheonepart,andT