Delegates to Congress . Letters of delegates to Congress, 1774-1789, Volume 5, August 16 1776-December 31 1776
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Robert Treat Paine to To: Samuel and Daniel Hughes


Sr.,
Philada. Augt. 24 1776

   Yours which I recd.(1) by the bearer I shewed 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 t Cannon of all the sizes. If your preparations should be applied towards making Cannon of the largest sizes mentioned I believe it


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would be profitable; from the good Success you have had of making long 18 pounders I have great Expectations that you 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 furnaces you mean to build. If you expect to be able soon to make Cannon for Congress in the Furnace you now have (besides those you are about making for the Frigate) you will please to let us know it soon & we will give an answer to that particularly; I heartily wish you Success in this Undertaking, & am yr hble Sert,


RTP

P.S. If you write on this Subject, please to add these words to the Direction [of the Cannon Committee] (2) so that should I be absent it may be opened by the Comttee.


Note: (MHi). Addressed: "To Saml.& Daniel Hughes at Annapolis."


1 Daniel and Samuel Hughes' August 19, 1776, letter to Paine is in Morgan, Naval Documents, 6:236. Although Paine addressed his letter to Annapolis, their letter is datelined "Antietam Furnace." On July 19 Congress had authorized the cannon committee to contract with the Hughes brothers for 1,000 tons of cannon, and on July 22 it ordered payment of $8,000 to them. On September 30 Congress ordered another payment of $13,333 1/3. JCC, 5:593, 599, 835.




2 Brackets in MS.