Letterbook

Theft of Powder & Tents by Soldiers at West Point

Describes catching two thieves pilfering the contractor's stores, and their earlier deeds in stealing powder & tents from the public stores. Discusses the affair in detail, including confessions of stealing and selling the items. Expresses confusion at the stealing of the powder, as he has kept tight control over access to the magazine.

1787

05

31

West Point

Henry Knox

William Price

Morrow

Mannon

contractor

Robert Welsh

John Townsend

William Wirt

WIst

Ford

deserter

Sergeant Webster

Jackson

West Point

island

magazine

Fort Putnam

roof

artillery landing

the point

river

returns of ordnance

returns of quartermasters stores

stealing

contractors store

barrel of powder

public magazine

sold

rocks

summer

tents

vegetables

wall tent

deserted

ammunition

long store

pickets

false key

confined

fishing

theft

I never found the door unlocked or the window opened

1787053140055

17

1

West Point May 31st 1787

Sir

I forward by the Bearer Mr. Morrow the Returns of Ordnance and quarter Masters Stores for the month of May 1787--

A few days ago three of the men was detected in stealing some [undecipherable word] out of the Contractors store, which has been the means of [undecipherable word] that two of the same persons have been concerned in Stealing a Barrel of Powder and two tents out of the public magazine

The powder was taken out of the magazine on the [undecipherable word], but Robert Welsh the one that owns he sold it, will not own that he took it out, but believes it was done by one John Townsend then has deserted, as he says that he found it hid in the [undecipherable word rocks?] last Summer, I asked him if the powder was dry when he found it, he answered it was, which I think is a corroborating circumstance that he knew when it was done --

William [undecipherable last name], The one [word inked out] who took the tents (as he relates) was informed by the other that he had the powder, and did take some of the Vegetables of him -- he acknowledges to have [two undecipherable words] a wall tent from Fort Putnam at the time we was making the roof over the magazine, in conjunction with one Ford which has deserted, but that he sold it -- The other tent he says was handed to him by the above John Tompkins when he was at work removing the ammunition out of the long Store at the Artillery Landing, and he threw it over the Pickets, but that he never has seen it since --

I am at a loss to find out how they got the powder out of the Magazine, unless they had a false key as I never found The door unlocked or the windows opened when I went to test it, and I always shut it up immediately before I left the place, except Once, when I sent Sergt Webster to open the doors to air it, and when I went after him the Door was fast --

I shall keep them confined until you please to Direct order how they shall be Dealt with --

I have not deducted the powder nor tents out of The present Returns -- but have waited to see if they will not own more.

The man who bought the tent is Named Jackson, a poor worthless fellow, and lives on the point, when he is at home, he is now up the river [undecipherable mark] so that I have not seen him since it was discovered -- you will please to direct how [2 undecipherable words] him -- I shall endeavor to find out the person who purchased the powder--

I am sir

Honorable Major Genl Knox Secretary at War