Philada. May 31st. 1776 Dr. Sr.,1

The Congress have ordered 40 Howitzers to be cast,2 in the direction of which I have some concern, & shall esteem my self much obliged to you if you will send me the weight & the bore of the Iron Howitzers you have with you as also the diameter & depth of the Chamber & the length of the bore. My perticular reason for these Quæres is that a Workman with whom I have conferred on the Subject differs much in his dimension & Weight from the discription Muller gives of them as commonly made in England. Your opinion of the most profitable sizes of Howitzers will be very acceptable. Two uses are prepared 5 or 6 inch Howitzers to play upon Troops with Shells or Grape shott and some of 8 or 10 inch to fire point blank at Ships, at what distance will they drive a Shell through the Side of a Ship. Please to inform me also the weight of the 24 pounders & also of the largest Cannon you have. We make good 18.12.9.& 4 pounders & when we have got a Sufficiency of these hope to make larger Sizes. The Opinion I have of your understanding & Zeal in these matters induces me to write thus freely to you hoping you will with all Convenient speed inform me of those matters & favour me with such further Observations as you May think of Service in the affair, hoping yr. Welfare in all things I Subscribe with great Esteem yr. hble. Svnt.,

Daniel Joy

P:S Pray inform me whether they now cast Iron Cannon at the Air Furnace in New York and of what Sizes & whether they can Cast Iron Howitzers there (Brass we cant get) & think the owner of that Furnace told me he cou’d not & whether they can bore Cannon after they have Cast them.

Dft. ; addressed: “To Henry Knox Esq. Col. of Artillery New York”; endorsed: “Phila. May 31. 1776. To Col. Knox. Howitzers.”

1.

Henry Knox (1750–1806), a Boston bookseller before the Revolution, was commissioned on Nov. 17, 1775, as colonel and head of the artillery regiment of 12 companies in the Continental Army. He later became chief of artillery for the entire army. His feat of hauling captured British cannon and arms from Fort Ticonderoga to Boston in January 1776 ensured British evacuation of that town. Knox was promoted to brigadier general in December 1776 and to major general in March 1782. He later served as secretary of war under both the confederation and federal congresses ( ANB ).

216 2.

On Apr. 13 Congress had directed the Cannon Committee to contract for these 40 howitzers as well as “a sufficient quantity of shells” (Journals of the Continental Congress, 4:280).

Haverhill June 2. 1776 My very dear Sir,

Had I known you were wishing to hear from me, a Letter should have been dispatched by the first Oppo.; without such knowledge, you will admit a Fear of breaking in upon your important Avocations as a sufficient Apology for my Silence.

Your very obliging Favour of the 9th May1 was handed me two Days ago, & this additional Testimony of your friendly Remembrance, you will permit me to say was as refreshing as cold Water to a thirsty Soul!

The Small Pox in Boston has hitherto prevented my Removal there, being apprehensive of Danger to a dear little Girl wth. wch. Heaven has lately blessed us.2 The major Part of my Goods are left in the State & Place where in wch. I stored them; when they will be opened I cannot now determine.

Mr. Howard I fear is in a very disagreeable Situation. I cannot learn any particulars respecting him.

How fervently I join in your Aspirations for “the friendly Sociability of peaceable Life,” is beyond my Capacity to express. Shall we ever again enjoy more happy Moments of domestick Intercourse we have formerly known? Shall we ever again meet in the friendly Circle, where I found blended, Pleasure & Improvement. In the Multitude of such Thoughts within me, I wish I could tell you the Comforts of Heaven delighted my Soul; we certainly need Support beyond the Reach of Reason of Philosophy. (if you will allow the duplicate Phrase). But tho it is Sunday I would not have you imagine I am going to preach, or if I had any thing thought of it, that I should arrogantly begin wth. addressing you.

I hope you got a Letter from me last Summer. You say nothing of it, but I think it was so conveyed that it must have reached you.

I am charged to present the affectionate Regards of my dear Lady as you kindly stile her & earnestly hoping I may live in your Esteem & affection. I am yr. Obliged Sincere Friend

S.E. 217

your Effects are all safe I believe the Maps I am sure are.

RC ; addressed: “Robert Treat Paine Esqr. In Philadelphia pr. Favr. Mr. Bartlet”; endorsed: “Saml. Eliot June 2. 1776.”

1.

Not located.

2.

This was the only surviving child of Samuel Eliot and his first wife, Elizabeth Barrell. In 1806, Frances Eliot (1776–1820) married Joseph Bray, an Englishman who settled in Boston ( NEHGR 81[1927]:6).