Our Collection

At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. More than 85,000 items cover five hundred years of American history, from Columbus’s 1493 letter describing the New World through the end of the twentieth century.

Lincoln, Benjamin (1733-1810) to Henry Knox

High-resolution images are available to schools and libraries via subscription to American History, 1493-1943. Check to see if your school or library already has a subscription. Or click here for more information. You may also order a pdf of the image from us here.

Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.01517 Author/Creator: Lincoln, Benjamin (1733-1810) Place Written: s.l. Type: Manuscript letter signed Date: 6 August 1782 Pagination: 3 p. : docket ; 22.7 x 18.9 cm. Order a Copy

Written from the "War Office." In response to Knox's letter of 31 July (see GLC02437.01510), advises Knox to settle the matter of which shells and shots each metalworker in their employ, Mr. [John Jacob] Faesch and a Mr. Whiting, should cast. Writes, "All the cartridge boxes made have been sent on the last contract has not been paid, we cannot obtain another without money I do not know when Mr. Morris can supply it, I will not forget to urge him." Finally, agrees with Knox that they should use armourers for repairing and rebuilding arms, but he "cannot engage people to work without some prospect of their receiving a compensation, should it be attempted we would not long avail ourselves - the present disorder must be submitted to."

War Office Aug. 6. 1782
Sir
I was this morning honord with the receipt of your favor of 31 ulto -
If Mr. Whiting cannot cast the shells - what can he cast should he cast all shotts we should have an over proportion of them - unless Mr. Faesch would cast shells instead of the shotts he was to cast I wish you would settle this matter among the two if you can all the [2] cartridge Boxes made have been sent on the last contract has not been paid, we cannot obtain another without money I do not know when Mr. Morris can supply it, I will not forget to urge him.
I too fully see the necessity of armourers - &. of the economy of repairing arms to be inattentive to the measure, but I cannot engage people to work without some prospect of their receiving a compensation, should it be attempted we would not long avail ourselves - the present disorder must be [3] submitted to -
I have the honor to be
Sir
your obt. sevt.
B Lincoln
Genl. Knox
[docket]
From
Gen. Lincoln, Secy at War.
6 August 1782.

Lincoln, Benjamin, 1733-1810
Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Citation Guidelines for Online Resources