Sr., Philada. Novr. 3d. 1776

I was in hopes to have wrote to you before this time on the business of Casting brass Cannon, as we consulted when you was last here. I have waited to see the Process of the Air Furnace here with Wood but 315they have never tryed it wholly with wood & but till lately have made Any Castings, but it Seems to be more & more Certain that Wood will Answer. I have but lately been Able to find out that the owner of the Air furnace on the Common will not let it & therefore there must be a further Consultation about the best place to build one. I therefore desire you as soon as possible to come to Philada. & bring with you an exact Account of how much Copper & Tin you have got & where it is & inquire whether you can get any more, & before you come consider & settle in your mind whether the Air Furnace at New Ark can be used for this business & whether it will be Sufficiently Safe from the Enemy & whether Wood can be got there & whether the furnace can be hired if it will do. If this will not do, you will think of some suitable place to erect an Air Furnace, & be at this place as soon as you can. If any thing hinders you from Coming immediately pray write me word of it.

Dft. on same sheet as RTP to unidentified correspondent, Nov. 22, 1776; addressed: “To Mr. James Byers. brass Foundr. late of N. York. to the Care of Archiebald Camble Tavern Keeper at Hackensack”; endorsed.