Lincoln, Benjamin, 1733-1810 to Henry Knox

Written from the War Office. Mentions that he received Knox's letter of the 19th regarding the French shells and Mr. [John Jacob] Faesch, and asked Mr. Faesch whether he would cast the French shells under his present contract. Mr. Faesch said a new contract would be necessary, so he wrote to Mr. [Robert] Morris to ask for more money, who replied that that he has "no hopes of receiving the necessary sums required by Mr. Faesch." However, since the "repairs of the arms are of too much importance to be omitted if possible to effect them," he wonders about the "propriety of sending on some German prisoners of war, who are armourers, and who wish to obtain their liberation - could they, or would they not be trusted?" Reports that he will attend to Mr. [Richard] Frothingham's "requisition respecting the Officers in his Department." Finally, says that he suspects that General George Washington will agree with Knox about the Department of Field Commissary of Military Stores, and will be "exceedingly happy" to have Knox retain such officers as he thinks proper. Free frank signed by Benjamin Lincoln. The body of the letter is written in William Jackson's hand, future secretary of the Society of Cincinnati.