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| Field name | Value |
|---|---|
| Collection Reference Number | GLC02437.01308 |
| From Archive Folder | The Henry Knox Papers [0036] December 1781 |
| Title | Copy of a letter from John Crane to Benjamin Lincoln about the distribution of gunpowder |
| Date | 23 December 1781 |
| Author | Knox, Henry (1750-1806) |
| Recipient | Lincoln, Benjamin |
| Document Type | Correspondence; Military document |
| Content Description | Duplicate of GLC02437.01309 (later copy). Writes to respond to General Benjamin Lincoln's request of his opinion on where to store 4,000 barrels of public powder now in Boston. Declares that West Point is so important that they should do everything possible to provide ample supplies. Thinks 1,000 barrels should be sent to West Point as soon as the snow allows transportation. Also thinks that 1,000 barrels should be deposited at Springfield, and that the remaining 2,000 should be split between Reading, Easton and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Through this arrangement "if either of the two objects proposed for the operations of the next Campaigns should be attacked, the whole of the continental powder not appropriated to the defense of posts would be brought together without much difficulty." Then explains how powder could be transported if either Charleston or New York were attacked. Explains that land transportation of the items will be very expensive, but it is unavoidable, unless they transport to portions of Pennsylvania over water, but that is very dangerous. |
| Subjects | Revolutionary War Revolutionary War General West Point (US Military Academy) Ammunition Artillery Fortification Finance Transportation |
| People | Knox, Henry (1750-1806) Lincoln, Benjamin (1733-1810) |
| Place written | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| Theme | The American Revolution |
| Sub-collection | The Henry Knox Papers |
| Copyright | The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History |
| Module | Settlement, Commerce, Revolution and Reform: 1493-1859 |
| Related documents | Letter from Henry Knox to Benjamin Lincoln about the distribution of gunpowder |