Gentlemen, Philada. Octr. 1776

I recd. yrs. by Mr. David Gillispe and laid the same before Congress, who have Ordered the Sum of 5000 £ to paid you in full expectations of reaping the benefit of the Contract the Treasurer has paid the money to Mr. David Gillispe agreable to your desire in your Letter but it is very proper you should sign the inclosed receipt & send it as soon as may be. Mr. Gillispe says you intend to build only One Stack at the New place & expect to cast 32 pounders from it. I trust you will con­301sider well whether one hearth will hold Mettle enough in proper Order to cast so large a Gun with Certainty for the congress will depend much on having those large Cannon. I understood you intended to build two Stacks close together.

I am glad to hear you have Cast all the Frigate Guns & hope you will get them down as soon as possible.

Mr. Gillispe tells me you mean to blow out immediately. I am sorry you did not continue casting 12 pndrs. If you are not blown out when this meets you & can continue to cast 12 pndrs. you will much serve the cause & would have you keep on & let us know it & we will tell you how many. Wishing you Success I am yr. &c.

Dft. on verso of RTP to Samuel and Daniel Hughes, Aug. 24, 1776; followed by copy of receipt:

Recd. of Michael Hillegas Esqr. Treasurer to the United States of America Dollars & agreable to an Order of Congress of the 30th. of Septr. last to be paid in Cannon to the Congress according to our Contract with them or in failure thereof the same sum to be repaid them by the time mentioned in said Contract for the delivery of the last Cannon.

To Saml. & Danl. Hughes at Antietam Furnace Maryland. per Mr. Gillispe