National Foundry for Brass Cannon
Item
Type
Autograph Letter Signed
Title
National Foundry for Brass Cannon
Description
Byers makes the case for Springfield as the site of the proposed National Foundry for Brass Cannon. He owns a mill located on ten acres that joins the new waterworks for manufacturing small arms that would be a convenient place for the foundry. He maintains that he should receive some preference for the position of superintendent.
year created
1800
month created
01
day created
26
author
sent from location
Springfield
recipient
sent to location
Philadelphia
in collection
notable person/group
Samuel Hodgdon
James Byers
notable location
Philadelphia
Springfield
New York
notable item/thing
national foundry
brass cannon
mill
waterworks
small arms
metal
workmanship
superintendence
document number
1800012680001
page start
1
transcription
Mr. James Byers
26 Jany 1800
Recd 31 [Jan.]
Springfield Jan. 26 Paid 17
Samuel Hodgdon Esqr
Philadelphia
[modern pencil: 15 in a circle]
[modern stamp: Received from State Dep't. Nov.24.1894. R.P.O. 410310]
Springfield Jany 26th 1800
Sir
[modern ink stamp: Received from State Dep't. Nov.24.1894 R.P.O. 410310.]
Your candour candaore I hope will Excuse a few lines addressed to you on the Subject of a national foundrey for brass cannon. If the public should have it in contemplation to establish a work of this kind, the Eligable Situation of Springfield for this purpose I Expect is well known to you. I have a Mill Seat with about twelve acres of land, that join the new water works for manufacturing small arms, a more convenient place cannot be for this purpose. And if I flatter myself Sir, that should a work of this nature be established any where you will Judge me Entitled to some preference in the superintance [sic: superintendence]. From the disas[ter] met with in bursting so many of the guns made for New York, I have gained greater Experience than could other ways been obtained, as the broken guns discovered the the deficiency of Mettal & workmanship[.] We can never expect to arrive at any perfection in the business unless Establish'd by government for a few years, were four or five young men being employed might acquire such proficiency as to prove of National Advantage
If this (should it be wanted, or any other Employment) Merrit your attention in my favour, it will confer fresh Obligation on your Obedient Humble Servant,
James Byers
26 Jany 1800
Recd 31 [Jan.]
Springfield Jan. 26 Paid 17
Samuel Hodgdon Esqr
Philadelphia
[modern pencil: 15 in a circle]
[modern stamp: Received from State Dep't. Nov.24.1894. R.P.O. 410310]
Springfield Jany 26th 1800
Sir
[modern ink stamp: Received from State Dep't. Nov.24.1894 R.P.O. 410310.]
Your candour candaore I hope will Excuse a few lines addressed to you on the Subject of a national foundrey for brass cannon. If the public should have it in contemplation to establish a work of this kind, the Eligable Situation of Springfield for this purpose I Expect is well known to you. I have a Mill Seat with about twelve acres of land, that join the new water works for manufacturing small arms, a more convenient place cannot be for this purpose. And if I flatter myself Sir, that should a work of this nature be established any where you will Judge me Entitled to some preference in the superintance [sic: superintendence]. From the disas[ter] met with in bursting so many of the guns made for New York, I have gained greater Experience than could other ways been obtained, as the broken guns discovered the the deficiency of Mettal & workmanship[.] We can never expect to arrive at any perfection in the business unless Establish'd by government for a few years, were four or five young men being employed might acquire such proficiency as to prove of National Advantage
If this (should it be wanted, or any other Employment) Merrit your attention in my favour, it will confer fresh Obligation on your Obedient Humble Servant,
James Byers
Item sets
Document instances
| In image | In source | Location in source | |
|---|---|---|---|
| [view document] (3 pages) | ZQP16 (3 pages) | Collection: Post Revolutionary War Papers, 1784-1815. (RG94) | B:7 |
| [view document] (2 pages) | ZQP16a (2 pages) | Collection: Post Revolutionary War Papers, 1784-1815. (RG94) | B:7 |
Document names
| Type | Name | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Author | James Byers | Springfield | [n/a] |
| Recipient | Samuel Hodgdon | Philadelphia | [n/a] |