Philada. March 9th 1776 Sr.,

The Congress have appointed a Cmttee. to Contract for the making Musketts & bayonetts, in persuance of wch. they have agreed with Ebenezer Cowel to carry on the manufacture of gunlocks for the use of 178the united Colonies & have advanced him 267 Dollars & he is to be paid Weekly for all the good substantial double bridled gunlocks he shall make & deliver. This makes it necessary that there should be some person in Trenton who will recieve the said gunlocks as they are made & pay Mr. Cowell the money due for them; upon Enquiry it was strongly recomended to us to make application to you to undertake this business. You will please to let us know as soon as may be your inclination in the matter that we may supply you with a Sum of money for the said purpose. I am yr. hble. Servt.

RTP by order of sd. Cmttee.

Dft. ; internal address: “To Abraham Hunt Esqr. at Trenton”; endorsed.

March 9th 1776 Sr.,

There is a Cmttee. appointed by Congress to Contract for the making Musketts & bayonetts, & as they have been informed that you are capable of making the barrells they desire you would immediately inform them whether you will undertake in this business, & whether you can procure bayonetts to be made & all the other parts except the locks, & what your terms are, that a contract may be made if agreable. If you should let us know see you it would be serviceable yr. hble. Servt.

RTP pr. order

Dft. ; internal address: “To Benja. Yard at Trenton”; endorsed.

Philadelphia 9th. March AD 1776 Sr.,

I Ebenezer Cowell of Trenton for value receivd promise to pay unto Robert Treat Paine, James Willson Samll. Huntington Francis Lightfoot Lee & Lewis Morris a Committee of Congress Two hundred & Sixty 179Seven Spanish Milld. dollars or the value thereof in Continental Currency Witness my hand,

Ebenezer Cowell Witness John Legg

MS ; endorsed: “Ebr. Cowell’s note to a comtee. of Congress R.T.P. & others. 9 March 1776.”