41 (Y.) *Copy of a letter from the Secretary of War, to the Secretary of the Treasury, dated May 6th, 1794.* Sir, I HAVE the honour to transmit you the general dimensions of the heavy cannon which are required for the fortifications and for the frigates; the proof which will be required of each piece, by persons who shall be appointed by me for that purpose, and the time within which they ought to be delivered. *The Cannon for the Fortifications.* 32 pounders. Feet. In. ¹⁰⁰ parts. The length from the hind part of the base ring to the extremity of the muzzle, - - - - - - 9 6 — Diameter of the caliber, - - - - - — 6 42 External diameters of the breech at the vent or touch hole, - 1 9 8 At the first reinforced ring, - - - - 1 7 26 At the trunnions, - - - - - - 1 5 45 Behind and before the muzzle ring, and at the extremity of the muzzle mouldings, - - - - - 1 1 24 Thickness of the metal—In the direction of the vent or touch hole, and also from the rear of the caliber, and in the direction thereof to the extremity of the base ring, - - - — 7 33 At the first reinforced ring, - - - - — 6 42 At the trunnions, - - - - - - — 5 51 Behind and before the muzzle rings, and at the extremity of the muzzle mouldings, - - - - — 3 42 The total weight of this cannon estimated at fifty-five hundred. 24 pounders. Feet. In. ¹⁰⁰ parts. The length from the hind part of the base ring to the extremity of the muzzle, - - - - - - 9 — — Diameter of the caliber, - - - - - — 5 83 External diameters of the breech at the vent or touch hole, 1 7 35 At the extremity of the second reinforce before the trunnions, 1 4 12 Behind and before the muzzle ring, and at the extremity of the muzzle mouldings, - - - - 1 — 12 Thickness of the metal—In the direction of the vent or touch hole, and also from the rear of the caliber, and in the direction thereof to the extremity of the base ring, - - - — 6 66 At the extremity of the second reinforce, two inches before the trunnions, - - - - - - — 5 15 Behind and before the muzzle rings, and at the extremity of the muzzle mouldings, - - - - — 3 15 The total weight of the cannon estimated at five thousand weight. *Cannon for the Frigates.* 24 pounders. The length from the hind part of the base ring to the extremity of the muzzle, - - - - - - 8 — — Excepting in the length, all the other parts to be precisely of the same dimensions as the 24 pounders, which are nine feet in length, weight forty-five hundred. L These general dimensions will be sufficient in the first instance to enable the owners of furnaces to decide whether to undertake the business or not. It is to be observed, that the thickness of the metal specified in the dimensions, is greater than the thickness contained in the 18 pounders call in Maryland during the late war; the metal of which was, by the diameter of one caliber, and one-eighth thickness at the vent—whereas, I now propose, it shall be the thickness of one caliber and one-[undecipherable] at the same place. This is the greatest thickness used at present, either in France or England. But in order that no mistakes be committed, it will be necessary that plans and profiles of each finish casting, be drawn at full length for each proprietor or undertaker; in which all the mouldings and proportions shall be exactly expressed. Each cannon to be cast for, with a furnace of at least five hundred weight, and afterwards to be bored out by machinery. The proof, which will be required for each piece, will be as follows: 32 pounders. 1^st Proof, 18 pounds of powder, } 1^d Ditto, 21 pounds do. } with two wads and two shot. 3^d Ditto, 24 pounds 100s. do. } 24 pounders. 1^st Proof, 15 pounds 8oz. of powder, } 1^d Ditto, 20 do. do. } with two wads and two shot. 3^d Ditto, 24 dos. 8 do. } The delivery of the cannon for the fortifications to commence on the first of August, or as much sooner as possible; and afterwards in such proportions, monthly, that the whole shall be delivered on or before the first of November next; or at farthest, the first of January; on any of the rivers or waters of the United States, navigable for iron balls, So that the cannon may be easily transported to the places where they shall be required. The cannon for the frigates all ought to be delivered by the first of December. *Articles of agreement, made and executed on the eighth day of August, one thousand seven hundred and ninety-four, between the Commissioner of the Revenue, in the Department of the Treasury of the United States, of the one part; and "John Brown, John Francis and Rufus Hopkins, Nicholas Power, Obadiah Brown, Brown, Benson and Ives, and Jabez Bowen, of the other part."* 1st. The United States agree to purchase of the said company, and the said company agree to sell and deliver to the United States, thirty-four iron cannon, twenty-two and a half to thirty-two pounds caliber like cannon, to carry iron ball of twenty-four pounds; being together, forty-eight iron cannon, suitable for fortifications of the dimensions and descriptions contained in the printed note hereto annexed. 2d. The parties to this agreement respectively contract in like manner for the sale, delivery, receipt of, and payment for sixty iron cannon, to carry twenty-four pound ball of the like metal, suitable for frigates or Ships of war, agreeable to the dimensions and descriptions, as for said notes annexed. 3d. The United States agree to pay to the said John Brown, John Francis, and Rufus Hopkins, Nicholas Power, Obadiah Brown, Brown, Benson and Ives, and Jabez Bowen, the price of one hundred and six dollars and two-thirds for each ton weight of the said cannon, as the same shall weigh when bored, and finished agreeably to contract; and the said John Brown, John Francis and Rufus Hopkins, Nicholas Power, Obadiah Brown, Brown, Benson and Ives, and Jabez Bowen, agree to accept and receive that price for the same. 4^th. The said cannon are to be delivered to the United States, at a wharf on the bank of any river, creek, or water, in the State of Rhode-Island, Connecticut or Massachusetts, at which a decked vessel of sixty tons burthen can lie. 5^th. The cannon are to be cast solidly, with a spruce head of metal, of at least five hundred weight, and to be bored out with machinery. An allowance of the extra-expends of such boring out, over and above that which would arise from boring cannon of precisely the size of the intended caliber, shall be made by the United States; on a consideration of the said expences, and all advantages and disadvantages attending the operation, it shall appear that any thing ought to be paid on that score to the contractors, by the United States. It is further agreed, that if on experiment, it shall be found impracticable to make the cannon upon the plan of casting them solidly, they shall then be cast in the usual manner, but with a price to be hereafter specified. 6^th. Two-third parts of the faid one hundred and twenty-eight pieces of cannon, are to be delivered on or before the first day of January next (1795,) and the remaining one-third part are to be delivered on or before the first day of May next (1795.) 7^th. Drawings, plans or profiles, are to be furnished by the Secretary of War. A payment in advance of five thousand four hundred dollars, is to be made to the faid John Brown, John Francis, Rufus Hopkins, Nicholas Power, Obadiah Brown, Brown, Benson and Ives, and Jabez Bowen, and they shall be entitled to such proportional advance throughout the term of the contract, satisfactory security being given therefor, other than their own obligations. Payments are to be made from time to time, as deliveries of the cannon shall be effected. For the due and faithful performance of this contract, the faid John Brown, John Francis, and John Francis, Nicholas Power, Obadiah Brown, Brown, Benson and Ives, and Jabez Bowen, hereby bind themselves and the furnace Hope company, their co-partners, directors, managers and administrators, in the penalty of seven thousand dollars. In witness of the premises, the Commissioner of the Revenue hath hereunto put his Signature, and the said John Brown, John Francis and Rufus Hopkins, Nicholas Power, Obadiah Brown, Brown, Benson and Ives, and Jabez Bowen, for themselves, and in behalf of the aforesaid furnace Hope company, have hereunto set their hands and seals, the day and year first before mentioned. —Additional— The cannon to be proved at the expence of the United States, and by a person to be appointed by the Secretary of War. Signed, sealed and delivered in the presence of us, Peter Footman, John Millar, John S. Dexter, Nathaniel Cushing. (Signed) TENCH COXE, Commissioner of the Revenue. JOHN FRANCIS. Signed: { RUFUS HOPKINS, OBADIAH BROWN, BROWN, BENSON & IVES, JABEZ BOWEN, NICHOLAS POWER. Prior to the completion of the foregoing contract, to which this paper is annexed, it is agreed on the part of the United States, that one-fourth of the whole amount of the cannon shall be paid on the demand of Brown and Francis, on closing the contract; that another fourth part shall be paid when one-third of the cannon shall be completed; that another fourth shall be paid when two-thirds of the cannon shall be completed; and that the remainder of the money shall be paid when the whole of the cannon shall be finished. Witness, (Signed) Ez. Forman. (Signed) TENCH COXE, Commissioner of the Revenue.