Robert Treat Paine Papers, Volume 3
A letter from Mease and Caldwell was laid before Congress, and read:
Resolved, That it be referred to a committee of three:1
The members chosen, Mr. Walton,2 Mr. Morris, and Mr. Paine.
Resolved, That the Cannon Committee be directed to contract for the immediate casting of six 6 pounders, six 12 pounders, four 8 inch howitzers, four 6 inch howitzers, and 6 cohorn mortars, to be made of brass, if a sufficient quantity of that metal can be procured; if not, to be cast of iron, and sent, as soon as possible, to General Gates for the use of the northern army, and that the said committee provide also carriages, and every thing necessary to complete the said artillery for service. . . .
That the Cannon Committee be authorized to possess themselves of the copper said to be at New London, belonging to the United States.
Resolved, That Colonel Henry Knox be authorized to draw upon the pay master general for money sufficient to pay for any quantity of copper that can be procured for the use of the United States; he to render an account of the sums drawn for, and the copper purchased.
Journals of the Continental Congress, 5:673, 693–694
The committee reported back to Congress on Aug. 28 concerning the letter from commissaries James Mease and William Caldwell. Acting upon this report, Congress resolved to deliver 500 pounds of gunpowder to Mease and Caldwell for the purpose of procuring deer skins to make breeches for the soldiers in the field (Journals of the Continental Congress, 5:712).
George Walton (1741–1804) represented Georgia in the Continental Congress (1776, 1777, 1780, 1781) and was a signer of the Declaration of Independence. With George Taylor he negotiated 270a treaty with the Six Nations at Easton, Penna., January 1777. Walton served as governor of Georgia (1779–1780, 1789–1790) and was chief justice (1783–1789) (
DAB
).
You may perhaps think it importunate to write you so often upon the same Subject: but considering the Season advances, and I might be called upon rather later, than the Busseness will admitt; for which Reasons I take the Liberty, to offer my Services once more, and beg the Favour, Sir, of an answer.
Mr. Bayers,1 the Cannon Founder from N. york, has been at our works last Saturday and bought the Remainder of our Copper. I recommended to him our Neighbourhood, where the Copper Furnace stands for an Arsenal, as a very convenient and remote Place. He waits for the approbation of Congress.
I am with the greatest Respect, Sir, your most obdt. Servant,
James Byers.
I have been hoping for some time to hear what progress Mr. Byers makes, & more perticularly what Success in working his Air Furnace with wood, as upon the success of that experiment will depend the place of erecting a new Furnace.
Congress have directed some six & twelve pounders to be cast as also some 8 inch & 6 inch Howitzers & some Cohorn Mortars—they are wanted as Soon as possible & therefore I must beg that the Experiment of working the Furnace with wood may be determined. In yr. last you 271desire to know where Mr. Byers is to get the Money to pay for the Copper he purchases. This matter was mentioned to Congress & they passed the inclosed Resolved by which you perceive you are impowered to draw upon the pay master Genral for Such sums as may be wanted. We desire you would give Such Orders for the Security of the Copper as may be necessary. As to the price, Congress made no determination upon it, & all we can say is, to get it as cheap as you can. I should be glad to know what determination is had on the Congress Mortars. The above peices are wanted so soon, that I fear whether we can wait to build a furnace wch. must Consume some time. When Mr. Byers was here I proposed to him to Consider the practicability of casting Cannon at the Blast Furnace on Rariton River where they Smelt the Copper. It would save the trouble & time of building a new furnace, & as we expect to get Considerable Copper At that Furnace, it may be very Convenient to Cast the Cannon there. When Mr. Byers went from here hence, he was in the Stage & so could not go out of they Way to see that Furnace, but he proposed going from New-York purposely for that business; if he can do it without his Works Standing Still, I think it will be proper for him to view the Furnace & determine whether he can speedily Cast Cannon there & whether a Stock of Clear Cool can be immediately had. Pray let me hear from you on this subject. Meanwhile I rest your hble. Sevt.,