Robert Treat Paine Papers, Volume 3
I have before me yrs. of the 12t. Currt. & as you incline to make 12 pnds. & under before you make any larger ones, you are desired to make 52 12 pndrs. & 20. 4 pnds. & to make them 18 diameters long & let them be as light as will be consistent with their bearing proof. I think our Cannon made in America have generally been too much loaded abt. the Neck. You are also desired to cast 40, four pndrs. & 20. three pndrs. & let them be made about the same Numbers of diameters. You are desired to get these Guns done as soon as possible & transport them to Baltimore. As to the heavier Cannon they will be wanted quite as soon as you can make them & we hope you will not neglect to make every preparation to make them as soon as possible. There are in this Goverment some exceeding fine Guns which they got made in England last War. The 18 pnds. are 9 ft. long from the base ring to the muzzle & wt. 40 & 41 C. 24 lb. are also 9 ft. long & wt. 49C:2cn. & the 32 lb. are 9 f. long. These Seem to be Approved dimensions & if you can make as good ones it will be happy for us both. You may make preparation for Numbers of these Sizes. The perticular number you may be informed of seasonably enough. Give me leave to mention that Mr. Hillegas saith he has not recd. the Receipt which I desired you to send him for the Sum of money sent you by Mr. Gellispe. In my Letter by him was inclosed the form of the Rect. wch. you’ll please to sign & send either to the Treasurer or to me. Wishing you Success I am,
Mr. James Byers whom the Congress have employed to Cast brass Cannon for them, informs me the Cmttee. of Congress for providing Cannon that he called upon you the other day to enquire abt. some Copper wch. Col. Knox bought of you on acct. of the Congress, & you objected to the delivery of it because it was not paid for in the time of it & you. You cannot suppose there was any design in keeping you out of the Money, the continued military Engagements of Col. Knox, I am satisfied, must have occasioned his omission of it (tho I have not heard his acct. of the matter) but you must be sensible the Copper was as really sold as any thing ever was the disappointment & damage to the public & the only reason it was not taken away was because the affairs of New York would not admitt of its being worked up there, & there was no preparation to work it up there any where else, but I never Suspected the Copper was not paid for or that there would be any difficulty about the delivery of it.
The disappointment & damage to the public in not having this Copper would be so great that I am sure you will not obstruct the public Works by a dispute of this kind.
From the various avocations of my business and the incessant entreaties of my Relations & Friends for my return to Taunton, has kept my mind in such a continued agitation that I have had no composure for writing you, or for doing any thing else for this long time past; 327but now having unburthen’d my mind by determining to return to Taunton (tho’ I am afear’d to my disadvantage); I take up my pen with great pleasure to compensate, if possible, for my long neglect.
Govermental proceedings I know little or nothing about for since the Court have remov’d into Town, their business has been cheafly relative to War, & having a number of Foreigners around them, they have tho’t fit to shut their Galleries; thence we know nothing of their proceedings but by the streams that Issue from the Fountain. Our Old Deligates for Congress are reelected with the addition of the honble. Fran. Dana & Master James Lovell. The Court are likewise making large preparations for the next Campaign by purchasing of Cloathing & ever
Our prizes are innumerable. Sugars are a Drugg but the price is still high. We have lately taken 2 Ships & 2 Briggs with English Goods cheafly; & provision Vessells from England are daily arriving at our ports.
I long to see you that I may converse respecting Govermental matters & other proceedings. I dare not trust my Sentiments upon paper as the Enemy are between us. I have no news from the Northward, but peace & quietness.
I was at Taunton twenty days since, when our Families & Friends were well. I expect to return to Taunton next week to take up my residence, where I shall continue, I suppose, the remainder of my days, unless the voice of my Country calls me to the Field. God knows I dispise danger in such a cause as this. I have lately receiv’d 2 or 3 Letters from you, but as they contain’d nothing that requir’d a perticular answer, you’ll except of this as an answer for the whole. Do let us see you by Christmas.
In the mean time I am your Much Devoted Friend & Servant,