TO JONATHAN TRUMBELL.1
[MS., Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library.]
BALTIMORE 12th Feb 1777
SIR/
The Committee on the Affairs in the Northern Department having laid before Congress a Letter receivd from Colo Stewart who was sent by them agreable to Order of Congress, to procure Cannon, wherein he informs that there is a Quantity of Cannon at Salisbury Foundery which the Governor & Council of Connecticutt are willing to dispose of to the Continent, but demand the Price of seventy Pounds Lawful Money p Ton for 18 & 9 pounders and Eighty Pounds Lawfull Money pr Ton for 6, 4 & 3 pounders, it is an Order of Congress that the Committee aforesaid write to Govr Trumbull & inform him of the Contracts enterd into by Congress, state to him the Prejudice it will do to those Contracts and the ill Effects that must ensue to the Continent, should so high a Price be given for these Cannon, and request him to lend the Cannon, which are much wanted for the Defence of Ticonderoga, and assure him that Congress will return them or others in Lieu of them as soon as possible.
Your Honor will please to be informd that Congress have enterd into a Contract with the Owners of a Foundery in the State of Maryland for 1000 Tons of Cannon from 32 down to 4 pounders to be deliverd in such proportion as Congress shall require at L36 10s p Ton accounting Dollars at 7/6.
The Prejudice which will be done to this Contract if so high a Price should now be given for the Cannon at Salisbury, must be obvious. It will be an Example for all others to demand the like Prices; and moreover it may afford a Pretext for those who wish for Occasions to spread Jealousy and Discord among the united States, to say, that the State of Connecticutt have in this Instance taken Advantage of the Necessity of the Continent. As there is no Reason to entertain so unworthy a Sentiment of that State we earnestly hope that no Circumstance may take place which might gratify the Inclinations of our insidious Enemies to do an Injury to our common Cause. We are with the greatest Respect your honors most obedient & very hbl Servts2
_________________________________________________________________ 1Governor of Connecticut. 2Signed by Adams, R. H. Lee, Wm. Whipple, and Thomas Hayward.