Henry Knox to President of United States George Washington: recommendations on locations of arsenals and magazines, development of a national arms industry, and return of ordnance, arms and military stores in possession of United States: Page #2

Transcription

War Department

December 14th, 1793

Sir,

I have the honor to submit a relation of the Ordnance, Arms and Military stores in possession of the United States.

It resulted from the casual circumstances of the last War, that when these stores were accumulated principally at the following points, Viz: New London in Virginia, Philadelphia, West Point on Hudson river, and Springfield on the Connecticut River, all of which perhaps, except in Springfield, or improper places for permanent magazines.

The important characteristics for magazines and arsenals, seem to be perfect security against enemies, internal and external blended with an easy access by water. The expense of land transportation of heavy articles for a series of years, compared with that by water, renders the latter quality indispensable for a Magazine.

The Situation of New London, being destitute of Water communication with the ocean, is not a proper place for a permanent magazine, and it would seem therefore necessary that some other position should be sought on [the] James River, more suitable for the erection of proper buildings.

It may be questionable whether a populous city is a proper place for the repository of large quantities of Military stores on account of the accidents to which such places are liable by fire and other causes. Hence it is intended that a part of the stores now deposited in Philadelphia Shelby removed to some safe position,

[catchword: 'higher']