My dear Sr., Philada. Augt. 22d. 1776

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.,

RTP

Dft. ; internal address: “Col. Knox of the Artillery at N York per Post”; endorsed.

Sr., Philada. Augt. 24. 1776

Yours which I recd. by the bearer I showed to Govr. Hopkins & we were of opinion that at so short notice we could not determine the size & No. of each Cannon. The Opinion of Congress Should be had, & there was not time for that, but I do not see that you need be in the least hindred for doubtless there will be wanted cannon of all the sizes. If your preparations should be applied towards making Cannon of the largest Sizes mentioned I believe it woud be profitable; from the good Success you have had of making long 18 pounders I have great Expectations that 272you will furnish us with good 32 & 24 pounders. I believe the length you mention are right for battery Guns. They are 19 diameters. By the Question in yr. letter I understand you to refer to Cannon to be made in the new furnace you mean to build. If you expect to be able soon to make Cannon for Congress in the Furnace you now have (beside those you are about making for the Frigate) you will please to let us know it soon & we will give an Answer to that particuarly. I heartily wish you Success in this Undertaking & am yr. hble. Svnt.,

RTP

P:S If you write on this Subject, please to add these words to the Direction (of the Cannon Committee)1 So that So that should I be absent it may be Opened by the Cmttee.

Dft. ; internal address: “To Saml. & Daniel Hughes at Baltimore Annapolis per John Simkins”; endorsed; letter of October on verso.

1.

Parentheses here replace brackets in the manuscript letter.