Contract to send 'Assorted Cargo' to New Orleans via Steamer Philadelphia during the Civil War Blockade

A standard form entitled Charter Party for Tupper & Beattie Shipping and Commission Merchants. Charter-Party with manuscript additions and exclusions dated August 21, 1862 between Mr. O. Roberts, Agent and Owner of the Steamer Philadelphia of New York and George Opdyke, Merchant. The Steamer was contracted to travel from New York to New Orleans and back again. Opdyke was the largest clothing manufacturer in NY at that time, as well as the 76th Mayor of NYC (1862-1863) and a Republican on the anti-slavery platform. As Mayor, he recruited and equipped troops for the War. New Orleans fell to Union forces in April 1862 making this voyage during wartime less risky. '.the steamer is to carry out to New Orleans Seven Hundred Tons measurement of assorted cargo, or more if that does not make her draw over fourteen feet of water and to bring back Six Hundred hands of sugar or its equivalent, or more.' Cream paper, folded in half to 7 3/4 x 9 3/4", with blind stamp (Hosford & Ketcham) at top left, 1 vertical, 2 horizontal original fold lines, very clean and bright.…