Dear Sir, New York July 3. 1776

My servants is not punctual or at the post Office they do not know what Letters they have come. Twice I have recived your favors after the post was gone. I have spoken to Mr. Byers, the Cannon founder here, and he says that he can procure brass enough to cast 12—6 pounders each weighing about 600. We have two brass six pounders that weigh about 4.2.10 each they were taken at St. Johns. This same man has cast 14. six pounders sometime since 8 for the Continent and 6 for this Colony. The price he had for those were 3/9 per lb. New York Currency. That is much cheaper than in England where I beleive they have 3/6 Sterg. per lb. He says that metal is so scarce now that he cannot do them under 4/6 or 4/8 New York per lb. Even this is much Cheaper than could be imported from England. The Continent will reap an infinite advantage by having light Artillery. If he is to cast them I think he had better Come to Philadelphia or go to Connecticut & build an air Furnace there. The present Furnace is upon the river where I should suppose the buildings to be precarious. You ask my opinion concerning the proper Calibre, for Iron feild peices. 3 pounders Iron are certainly the best on account of their weight. I do not remember to have ever seen an Iron 6 pounder weigh dbl testified less than 1500. 3 pounders may be made to weigh about 600. I do not know that any feild peices were ever cast at Newark but The owner of the Furnace told me that he will undertake to cart any cannon under that will weigh less than 3000. An Iron 12 Dble. Testified will weight about 27.00. The Additional cost of the brass provided the metal is to be had is so vastly counterbalanc’d by their utility than I should think the Expence would be hardly a Question.

You have undoubtedly heard of the approach of the enemy to us. They by information have about 7 or 8 men of war 4 of about 50 Guns 1 frigates and 2 or three Sloops—about 120 topsail vessells—30 or 40 Sloops and schooners—it does not appear that they have any reinforcement since they left Halifax Boston. They seem timid or cautious. Yesterday in the forenoon they appeard Resolute and part of the fleet came through the narrows and seemd as if they intended to come up to us. they The greater part are now at Staten Island where they have landed some men. The Cattle I beleive are mostly drove off. The people ought 240also to have been driven away if the Island cannot be defended. We are pretty well prepar’d for them and wish they may us an opportunity of deciding the British pretensions to America. As they are cautious so should we be, our troops are in good spirits and generally most devoutly long for a good opportunity of Retrieving the honor of american Arms. Unfortunately, not successful in Canada—let the June be as it may we are determin’d to do our duty. I am Sir Your Most Hble. Servt.

Henry Knox

My time is so fully taken up that I have no time even to mend my pen. My penknife is lost. Excuse my scrawl.

RC ; addressed: “Honorable Robert Treat Paine Esqr. Phildelphia”; postal stamps: “FREE,” “New-York: July 3.”

5th July 1776

I am at Present at my Farm a few miles from the City. I Expect to be in Town in a Day or Two. When I will look into my Books and give what Proof may be Necessary Respecting Thomas Cobbs Bill on Chas. Ward Apthrop. Intrim Remain Thy Friend

Joshua Howell

RC ; addressed: “To Robt. Treate Paine at the Slate House Second Street Philadelphia”; endorsed.

Gentlemen, New Brunswick July 5th 1776

I am now on my Return from Morris County. Col: Jacob Ford1 was marched with the Militia to Newyork. I therefore could not determin any Thing on account of his ore. There is a quantity of Sulphur ore at woodbridge 12 Miles from here, also about five miles from here another quantity; but in my oppinion it is too near the water and in Reach of the 241Enemy. I should, for that Reason advise not to errect any such works in those Places. I met a Man here this Day, who tells me, that there is an imense quantity of Pirithes near Charlottenburgh about 50 miles from here, in the woods of Morris County, to which Place I shall go tomorrow, take a Sample and examine the same. This Place will be remote and verry convenient for fire wood. The Person who told me of the Place in Bergen County, seems to be unwilling to discover it to me without a Reward; though it will not be worth a single Shilling to the owner. I wish on that head, that the Committee of Congress would be pleased to issue a more extensive order for the Discovery of such places without a Reward, only to pay the Damages on the Land, which cannot be much. I have sent the Letter from Committe of Congress to Mr. Ford to Newyork and requested his Terms.

I shall be with a Sample of different places, in Town by the latter End of next week. I am with the greatest Respect, Gentlemen Your obedient humble Servant,

Anthy. Mosengeil

RC ; addressed: “Robert Treat Paine, Esqr., Philadelphia”; endorsed in an unidentified hand.

1.

Jacob Ford, Jr., was involved in a number of business ventures including an iron mine, iron forges, a grist mill, a hemp-mill, a gunpowder mill, and farms. He was colonel of the New Jersey militia from 1776 until his death on Jan. 10, 1777. Samuel Adams wrote that “The late Behavior of the People of Jersey was owing to some of their leading Men, who instead of directing & animating, most shamefully deserted them. When they found a Leader in the brave Colo Ford, they followd him with Alacrity.” In the winter of 1779–1780 General Washington used the Ford mansion in Morristown, N.J., as his military headquarters (Letters of Delegates to Congress, 6:64).