Robert Treat Paine to Henry Knox about cannon casting and its associated costs - American History 1493-1945 - Adam Matthew Digital

Keyboard Shortcuts

The full content of this document is only available to subscribing institutions. More information can be found via www.amdigital.co.uk

Field name	Value
Collection Reference Number	GLC02437.00379
From Archive Folder	The Henry Knox Papers [0014] July-August 1776
Title	Robert Treat Paine to Henry Knox about cannon casting and its associated costs
Date	15 July 1776
Author	Paine, Robert Treat (1731-1814)
Recipient	Knox, Henry
Document Type	Correspondence; Military document
Content Description	Informs Knox that the British approach necessitates a change in location for casting brass cannons and indicates that an air furnace will be set up in Pennsylvania. Congress will still offer to employ Mr. Byers for the job if it can be done at a reasonable cost. Inquires if brass cannons can be cast without sea coal and expresses concerns about the weight of the cannons to be cast. Reports that Congress has written Byers a letter and urges Knox to send it to him and have him reply expeditiously. Mentions that Knox has new visitors and asks him to "treat them in a very polite manner," possibly a sarcastic reference to the British. Paine was a delegate to the Continental Congress from Boston, Massachusetts. Free frank signed by Paine.
Subjects	Revolutionary War Military History Artillery Continental Army Industry Congress Continental Congress Global History and Civics
People	Paine, Robert Treat (1731-1814) Knox, Henry (1750-1806)
Place written	Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Theme	The American Revolution; Industry; Government & Politics
Sub-collection	The Henry Knox Papers
Additional Information	Refer to GLC02437.00365 and GLC02437.00506 for related correspondence. Published in Letters of Delegates to Congress: Volume 4 May 16, 1776 - August 15, 1776.
Copyright	The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History
Module	Settlement, Commerce, Revolution and Reform: 1493-1859
Related documents	Letter from Robert Treat Paine to Henry Knox reporting the casting of new cannon
Transcript	Show/hide Download PDF [draft] Philada July 16th 1776 Dear Sr. The Approach of the Enemy has rendered it necessary to find some other place to cast brass Cannon [than y] Air Furnace; this Colony are about Setting up an Air [Furnace] for that purpose, but the Congress I believe will employ Mr. Byers if it be found [practicable] and he will make a reasonable bargain; I should be glad to know if he can cast brass cannon in an Air Furnace without Sea Coal that Article is necessary, I understand, for casting Iron Cannon in an Air Furnace and if be so for casting Brass it will put us to [illegible]; I herewith send a Letter Mr. Byers on this Subject, pray urge him to [America] as soon as may be I think he demands are unreasonable since for his Cannon and I believe the price is not so high in England as you mention, but as [2] they are like to cost so much by the pound. I think they should be made as light as [will answer]; now I observe that Mr. Byers; 6 pounders weigh one hundred and an half more than the English ones which is an exceeding great odds, I wish to know whether this is accidental or by design fearing they would not be strong enough if made lighter - but I may not trouble you with these matters now your mind is so engaged to entertain your new visitors, I trust you will treat them in a very polite manner and whatever they may say if the Cookery be sure give them their Bellies full, hoping soon to hear of yr. good Success I am yr friend and hble Servt RTPaine RS. I have wrote Mr. Byers to come to Philada. Please to seal his letter And send it him

Previous Item Next Item