Condition of Arms at Lancaster

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Sir Lancaster August 21^st 1794 By the Bearer John Pinkerton I send you Ten Boxes of Rifles which I Refer you to the Inclosed Invoice the Inspection of the Rifles goes on but Slowly the Gunsmiths in this Town is all at work and maken Such Repaires to the Rifles as I approve of I Showed General Hand Your letter of Instructions Chd bee furnished me with the Contract Made with the Gunsmiths. So that I Govern myself accordingly General Ross h^d my orders and I went to Inspect the Muskuts and I found fore Hundred Cleaned without Baynots and not Repaired the Baynot is in the Store and not Cleaned with the Guns. I tould him that the Baynots Should be fitted on the Guns and Put in Good Repaires Before Inspection took Place Sir I Call'd on Boyde and Turner to Examine the Ramods and Baynots made by them. and on a fore Inspection I find they will not Answer Publick Service for they are made of Bad Steel. and will not Stand the temper So that your Expectations at Present will not be Answerd for Sum time I am your Humbel Servant John Nicholson [address panel:] Samuel Hodgdon Esq [undecipherable] Street Philadelphia [docketing note, written perpendicular:] Nicholson [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [administrative notation, written perpendicular:] N. 3. d c [undecipherable] amt [circular archival stamp]

Type

Autograph Letter Signed

Description

Based on his inspection, Nicholson reports on the status of the arms stored at Lancaster. The gunsmiths appear to be making necessary repairs but he found four hundred muskets cleaned but without bayonets and not repaired. An inspection of the muskets made by Boyle & Turner shows that they are not suitable for public service because they are made of bad steel and will not stand the temper.