Robert Treat Paine Papers, Volume 3
Your Favour from Philadelphia of Octr. 7th1 is before me;2 for delaying, so long, to answer it, I must appologize, having been extreemly hurried in Business.
There is no convenient way of enlarging This Furnace so as to cast Thirty-two lbders., unless she is rebuilt; to do which I judge will never be expedient, while smaller Cannon continue in Demand as at present.
I can give little or no Encouragement as to Guns for the Frigates in the States of Massachusetts and New Hampshire; as all the Guns that have been cast here, of the Sizes mentioned in yrs., are already disposed of: and all that are to be made for some time to come, are pre-engaged.
The Produce of the Furnace has been hitherto disposed of by Vote of the Governor & Council of Safety, for this State, and all Applications for Cannon &c. must be to Him, for an Order for the delivery of Them here.
As Our Metal is esteem’d superior to any in America, I immagin Twenty four Lbdrs. might be cast at this Furnace another Blast, if the Hearth was laid larger than it now is, as we can at present run Iron enough for Eighteen lbdrs. in a heavier Mold than in necessary, (as I think,) for Metal of such extraordinary Tufness as Our Salisbury Ore affords. I propose casting a Gun for a trial, in a Mold constructed according to Mullers Directions, which will be lighter, by about 1/5. If it bears the proof, it will encourage us to think that Twenty four lbdrs. may be cast 319here. For proof we charge with 2/3 the Weight of the Shot, in powder; and 2 Balls. I am Sir yr. Hbl. Servt.,
On Public Service Free”; endorsed.
Not located and not mentioned by RTP in his diary among the letters he wrote that day.
Joshua Porter (1730–1825) was a 1754 graduate of Yale and for many years a physician at Salisbury, Conn., where he was also very active in civic and military affairs. He was a long-time selectman and representative to the state legislature, a justice of the peace, chief judge of the county court, and a judge of probate. Porter served from 1774 to 1780 as lieutenant colonel of the state’s 17th Regiment of Militia. He was also “largely interested” in the Salisbury ironworks (Dexter, Yale Biographies, 2:347–348).
The Letter with which you honourd. me sometime since I have not before me. You therefore will not consider this as answer to it. As I have but a moment to write my letter must respect the great object of procuring a continental army as soon as possible. As I have thought constantly it now appears certain that the New England Men cannot (Be the offers what they may) be inlisted for an indefinite and uncertain time. Perhaps they may for three years, but the most likely time and which will most generally take is Two years. We must advance gradually and be content to do so. After they shall have served two years They will become habituated to the Manner of life and will easily engage again (if Needed).
Again as you have advanced the pay of the officers the Soldiers pay Must advance proportionably. This is certain. It is of infinite consequence that Congress in general should know that New England private soldiers discuss all this business of pay and establishments with as Much Minuteness accuracy and judgment as any of Our Legislative assemblies if Not More so. It is vain to attempt to put out their eyes. Let the Man be accursed who shall endeavour it. Light ever was the Mother of Liberty and Ignorance and Darkness of Slavery.
The Utmost endeavours Should be used to prevent rapacious Suttlers Abusing the Soldiers. This Must depend Much on the Wisdom and care of the General officers But the only sure way to Save the soldier from 320Abuses, is to Make such Allowances for the Soldiers subsistence as is fully sufficient for temparate reasonable men.
The comtee. of this court have wrote to Congress fully on these head; But we have this Moment received Advise that the Whole Mail containing those dispatches was taken Near Philadelphia and are probably now in Howe’s hand. I am your assured Friend,