West Point April 30th 1787
Sir
I have rec’d your of 20th by Mr. Green. And have been down to look after the vessels, but could find only one, which is sunk on the edge of the channel, on the [illegible] side of the River, better than three miles from this - the others I find to be nearly opposite to fort Montgomery and I believe in [illegible] water as I cannot [hear] or [learn] of any lady that she has been since she first went down.
In answer to yours [illegible]
1st can the quantity of [illegible] in each of the freights be known.
Not certain but from the best information I can get then was between thirty and forty [illegible] just on board of the one we have found but it is very uncertain how much is on board of her now as a great quantity of it is said to have been taken away both during the War and since, And what now remains is under a great many tons of stone, or perhaps that would have been gone also, the other is said to have had much more put on board of her
2d Where [illegible] the [illegible] burnt and how deep [illegible] in the water.
The frigates were set fire to opposite to Constitution hand and being ebb tide drifted down the river One nearly as far as fort Montgomery before she burnt to the waters edge and sunk. The other one that I have found the Bottom of her lays for and after the River, upon the Edge of the Channel, the timber of her [illegible] side is to be seen at [illegible] water and the other side is about ten feet under water at the same time. Owning to her listing of as the Edge of the Channel runs [illegible] the stern port when the [illegible] at low water there is about [illegible] [illegible] feet.
3d Supposing there to be a quantity of pig iron now Remaining in the bottom of the freight [illegible] [illegible] be the expenses per ton in getting it [illegible]. If [illegible]
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Balt'more Novr 8, 1787
I recd yours of Oct 31 by Mr Clore Yesterday — and have forwarded The Ordnance & Stores you directed — Agreeable to the Instructions — As there was no Depot that I could depend upon, would just before him meet with — I have agreed with Mr Duncan To Transport them to New York for the Sum of Ten pounds Ten Shillings — I have forwarded to Mr Duncan the Returns of Ordnance and Quarter Master Store for the Month of Oct 1787 —
I am Sir &c.
The Honble
Major Gen Knox
Secretary at War
Sir Balt'more Nov 21. 1787
Agreeable to your directions, Captain Burback ordered a Court Marshal and that the two persons, Robert Welch and William West filed — which proceedings he delivered me, he has transmitted to you —
As the Court have informed them to be put under Stoppage — I have from your Information States, the State of their Indictment — and what they each of them have received.
Robert Welch was Inlisted September 23. 1783. And has received five months pay —
William West was Inlisted May 15. 1784. And has received five months pay —
The following is what they have received since of the months pay which hasn't been received for them a few days ago — As he has declared that in his hands, unless he shall receive directions from you — whether it please be paid to him or not —
I have made enquiries about having the two hundred pound Locks made that Will Contain One hundred pounds under each — And paid as — to get them made under the following New York Currency for Cash to be delivered by [undecipherable] of May 1783 —
If the General will please to inform me, whether he will have them made — And the terms of payment, I will make a Contract for them immediately, As the ones made [undecipherable] to do them the former the Defense, both Staff and workmanship —
I am Sir &c.
The Honble
Major General Knox Secretary at War —
Sir Balt'more Dec. 4th 1787
I have received yours of 19 & 20 [undecipherable] last by Mr Hams — And agreeable to your directions have [undecipherable] out two hundred of the Steps which Cover the board including Captain [undecipherable] — whom and have agreed with him to repair and Clear them with the Payment of [undecipherable] of a Bolton each — to fix the old articles — the [undecipherable] find the Rails from him and [undecipherable] — provided it should meet with your approbation —
Last I wish you respecting the marking of the hundred pound Locks, to Colonel [undecipherable] of their [undecipherable] per Cash — The Man who made them, to be agreeing to be informed within, you would have them made or not —
I wish if any meet with your approbation then those made, as they cost [undecipherable] Absolutely necessary for the practice making of them —
In giving the 4 December 18, you gave me permission to put Mr Shipley the Hoops, but did not direct, Whether he might take possession of the land which is Charges — since then the General to inform me upon this subject —
I have forwarded to the Brown & Mr James Duncan the Returns of Ordnance and Quarter Masters Store, for the Month of December 1787 — Transfer &
The Honble, Major Gen Knox
Secretary at War —
Sir Balt'more Feby 14th 1788
I have forwarded by land letter the Returns of Ordnance and Quarter Master Store for the Month of January 1788 —
Mr Mason has requested me to ask you, whether he shall [undecipherable] and repair the 500 pounds of Arms which I wrote you about the January 8. 1788, as he is quite out of Muskets —
There first, by Mr Howe an account for Mr Rounds taking Care of [undecipherable] Muskets, belonging from Balt'more June to Nov. 21. 1787 [undecipherable] — Transfer &c.
H. Honble
Major Gen Knox
Secretary at War —
