Folio (ca. 31 x 20 cm or 12 ¼ x 7 ¾ in). Brown ink on creamy lined laid paper (bifolium). Docketed on verso of second leaf, “Inter revenue” stamp, signatures of the parties and witnesses on recto of second leaf. 2 pp. Fold marks, otherwise a very good manuscript.

A bond between one Louis Miller (or Lewis Müller?), one Frederich Weiser, and Henry Weinhard and the city of Portland, Oregon, affirmed on 30 June 1866. The bond states that the city has issued a license to Miller to “keep a house for the sale of spirits and malt liquors.” Details of the bond include a “penal sum” of five hundred dollars in “United States Gold Coin” and provisions quoted from ordinances of the city of Portland dealing with liquor licenses (“will not permit or suffer any female to be employed in or about such house,” “keep a quiet and orderly house,” etc.).

Henry Weinhard was an early Portland brewer. He moved to the Pacific Northwest region in 1856 and began working at a Fort Vancouver brewery, owned by one John Meunich. In 1859 Weinhard bought the Meunich brewery and sold it in 1862, moving to Portland. He eventually bought several other breweries in Portland and established the City Brewery; by 1890, it was the largest brewery in the Pacific Northwest.

The bond is also “affirmed” and signed by then Portland mayor Henry Failing (1834-1898). He was elected for three terms—two between 1864 and 1866, and one between 1873-1875, as the 15th and 21st mayors of Portland respectively.

Text of the manuscript:
“Know all men by these presents that we Louis Miller as principal and Henry Weinhardt and Frederich Weiser as Sureties are by this bond firmly held and bound unto the city of Portland in the penal sum of Five Hundred ($500) Dollars United States Gold Coin, which sum well and truly to be paid we find ourselves our heirs administrators and asigns. Sealed with our seals and dated Portland June 29th, 1866. The condition of this Bond is that whereas the city of Portland Oregon has issued a license to said Louis Miller (the principal above named) to Keep a house for the sale of spirit [nons?] and malt Liquors.

“Now therefore we agree that said Louis Miller will strictly comply with all the provisions of Ordinance No. 334 entitled “An Ordinance to amend an ordinance numbered 170 and entitled ‘An Ordinance to impose and regulate Licences in the City of Portland’” and that he will “during the continuance of such license Keep a quiet and orderly house and will not permit or suffer any female to be employed in or about such house or resort thereto, and will not permit or suffer and illegal practices or conduct in or about said house.”

“Now therefore if the said Louis Miller shall will and truly comply with the provisions of this bond then the same shall be void, otherwise to be in full force and effect.“In testimony whereof we have hereunto set our hands and seals on this, the day and year above written.
“Lewis Müller, Henry Weinhard, Fredrich Weiser
“Signed and sealed in the presence of H. R. Meeker, James Mason
“Affirmed by me this 30 June [AD?] 1866, Henry Failing, Mayor”