Historic Fort Norfolk Logo

Commandant Charles H Bell Letter 20 February 1860

Commandants Office
Navy Yard Gosport
February 20th 1860

Sir,

In reply to your letter of the 16th instant requesting information as to the “outstanding debt under contract, and otherwise” at this Yard. I beg leave to enclose the accompanying statement, comprising the only two objects coming under Yard Improvements of which liabilities exist.

There are no outstanding liabilities for “Hospital”. All has been paid for, and we have a small balance (about $150) on hand. There is now in the hands of the Purser of the Station, upwards of seven hundred dollars which he drew in advance for labor on “Hospital”, not more than $150 of this amount can be made available, and the balance could be transferred to some other appropriation.

Under appropriation for “Magazine” we have outstanding liabilities which will have to be paid when the work is completed, amounting to $15,032.60, but this will leave us a balance of upwards of six thousand dollars.

Very Respectfully,
your obedient servant,
Charles H Bell
Commandant

Commodore Joseph Smith
Chief of the Bureau of Yards & Docks
Washington D.C.

Fort Norfolk Documents

1776, 1777, 1779,

1782, 1783, 1789,

1790, 1791, 1792, 1793, 1794, 1795, 1796, 1797, 1798, 1799,

1800, 1801, 1802, 1803, 1804, 1805, 1806, 1807, 1808, 1809,

1810, 1811, 1812, 1813, 1814, 1815, 1816, 1817,

1846, 1848, 1849,

1850, 1851, 1852, 1853, 1854, 1855, 1856, 1857, 1858, 1859

1860, 1861, 1862, 1863, 1864, 1865

Source of Information

National Archives, Record Group 71 Bureau of Yards and Docks

Letters Recieved from Commandants of Navy Yards -- Norfolk

April 4 1858 - June 26 1860

Box No. 159B, Entry 5