The Mayor of New Orleans issued these pay bills or cash vouchers to authorize the City Treasurer to remunerate individuals for services rendered to the City. The mandats were printed forms with pertinent data filled in. Each was signed by the Mayor and usually by the person to whom it was issued, or a designated representative. The bills are interfiled in chronological order with the New Orleans Municipal Papers. The following is an inventory of the documents: $259 to François Ramirez, 1st Chief of the serenos, for one month's salary for himself and his assistant, and twelve night watchmen. /s/ John Watkins..
