[Copy] Providence, November 13^th [1797?] Sir At the time of Genero Sullivans expedition against Rhode Island being deputy Governor of the State Sallivated in person to a desk and forward the affaire when it was determined in Council to which it was found absolutely necessary to place a number of heavy cannon in the works at Bristol bars to such then as a communication — The British Fleet being expected to return into the Bays every hour — the heavy cannon were all on Rhode Island and in use, and could not be brought off without discovering the intentions of our Navy & I informed the General that the owners of the furnace had eight culverin pounders at the furnace which I would land upon the consent ones given on which the General ordered Col^t Nattington to proceed with all despateh and have them transferred to Bristol ferry, they were accordingly put on board proper vessels and brought down to force, landed as it was necessary to have the Islands at an sooner than was agreed on. The cannon were put on board a guard Ship and continued in the Service of the public till peace at which time I promised the officer that had the oversight of the artillery to deposit the cannon on a certain spot of ground belonging to the furnace company — two of them were Post there — one other remained at the Post on Barier Hill, where it had been as a Signal Gun — about one year agone some villains loaded the said gun so deep that they Split her to pieces — As the said cannon were lent for the use of the public on a very emergent occasion and never returned to us as desired I think it but right and just that a reasonable allowance should be made to the owners of them, and if it were possible Should be willing to receive two nines in lieu of the eighteen we lost. The foregoing can be supported by the necessary vouchers from General Sullivan, Colonl Nightingale &c. Your answer to the foregoing [undecipherable] owners of this Furnace Store and Your Obed^t and Most Humble Servant (Signed) Jabez Bowen The Hon^ble Henry Knox esq^r Sec^ry at War