locomotives. By late September, Coleman reported that the draw- 

 ings were nearly complete and that after he had rendered the 

 elevations in color they would be forwarded to New York.io- These 

 drawings were submitted to several builders for quotations. Only 

 three submitted bids, and the Norris Brothers of Philadelphia testily 

 stated, "Mr. Sellers plan of Engine is so different from the usual 

 kind, that no fixed price can be named . . . ."^^^ Apparently no 

 builders were interested. Nothing could have delighted Sellers 

 more ; for several weeks before soliciting the bids he had commented 

 to his brother that he would like to quit his job with the Panama 

 and act as an independent contractor for the locomotive.'"^ Cole- 

 man answered, "I hope you can make some arrangement to get the 

 building of the locomotives in your own hands . . . ."105 



On November i, 1850, Sellers drafted a contract between himself 

 and the railroad. He proposed to build three locomotives, not ex- 

 ceeding 12 tons, for $9,750 each. The first was to be delivered in 

 New Orleans by June i, 1851, the other two by July i of that year. 

 The company was to advance him, in periodic payments, one half 

 the total price, the balance to be paid on completion. i'^'^ On 

 November 19 the following entry was made in the Panama Rail- 

 road executive committee minutes: 



Mr. Allen also read a proposition from Mr. Sellers offering to contract 

 to build three locomotives in Cincinnati deliverable at New Orleans, 

 and stated to the Company that from the great demand for work and 

 the large orders now on hand by the different locomotive builders 

 together with the fact of Mr. Sellers being largely interested in the success 

 of his plan, his opinion was that the company would get a much better 

 style of workmanship by contracting with him.'°" 



The company agreed to Sellers' terms, and a formal contract for 

 three locomotives and tenders at the proposed price and delivery 

 dates was signed a few days later. 



'^^ Coleman to G.E. Sellers, September 25, 1850, Peale-Sellers papers. 



'^^ Norris Brothers to W.H. Townsend, November 4, 1850, ibid. 



"* G.E. to Coleman Sellers, September 27, 1850, ibid. 



'^^ Coleman to G.E. Sellers, October 10, 1850, ibid. 



^^ Paper marked "ist rough draft of Locomotive contract Nov. 21, 1850," ibid. 



^"Executive committee minutes, November 19, 1850. 



77 



