Henry Knox to Benjamin Lincoln on the provision of shells and the employment of German prisoners - American History 1493-1945 - Adam Matthew Digital

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Field name	Value
Collection Reference Number	GLC02437.01604
From Archive Folder	The Henry Knox Papers [0046] September 17822
Title	Henry Knox to Benjamin Lincoln on the provision of shells and the employment of German prisoners
Date	12 September 1782
Author	Knox, Henry (1750-1806)
Recipient	Lincoln, Benjamin
Document Type	Correspondence; Military document
Content Description	Writes in response to Lincoln's letter of 20 August. Declares, "I am sorry Mr. [Robert] Morris cannot pay for any shells for the French [8?] inch howitzers, as they without shells much be useless after all the time and money which has been expended making new cartridges for them." Has asked General George Washington his opinion on employing German prisoners as armorers at Newburgh in exchange for their freedom (see GLC02437.01589), and Washington feels this is a good idea, so Knox asks Lincoln to make the appropriate arrangements. Also comments that he has received recent Congressional resolves about restructuring the department of military stores, and he will soon forward a list of those who he feels might not be most qualified to continue in service of the department.
Subjects	Prisoner of War Revolutionary War Revolutionary War General Military History Continental Army Artillery Ammunition President Hessians Artisans Continental Congress Congress Military Supplies Finance
People	Lincoln, Benjamin (1733-1810) Knox, Henry (1750-1806) Morris, Robert (1734-1806)
Place written	West Point, New York
Theme	The American Revolution; Government & Politics
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 George Washington regarding repairs of arms
Transcript	Show/hide Download PDF [draft] Westpoint 12 Septr 1782 Sir I [struck: received] have received your favor of the 28th ultimo. I am sorry Mr Morris cannot pay for any shells for the french [8] inch howitzers, as they without [strikeout] [inserted: shells] must be useless after all the time and [inserted: money] expence which has been expended [strikeout] in making new carriages for them. I have communicated your [ideas] of engaging German Armourers, to his Excellency the Commander in chief, who [is] of opinion they [might] with great propriety, and advantage be employed to the repairs of Arms at Newburgh, where buildings can be put in order for that purpose. I have therefore to request that you would be pleased to make the necessary [enggements] [sic] with them as soon as possible. There must be one or more superintendants [strikeout] approved solely to orient the business. There also must be tools sent from Philadelphia. I beg that you would be so good as to let me know the number and the time when they [are] probably be at Newburgh [2] as early as possible. I have also received [Major] [illegible] letter of the 4th instant [struck: respec] enclosing the resolves of Congress of the 3d arranging the department of [new] military stores. I will as soon as I can obtain the proper information transmit the names of the pe[text loss] whom my opinion may be best qualified an[text loss] a consideration of all [illegible] stores to [contract] service. I have the honor to be sir with great respect Your most Obedient Hum servant. HKnox Honorable Major Genl Lincoln

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