Cooke, Nicholas (1717-1782) to George Washington
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.00260 Author/Creator: Cooke, Nicholas (1717-1782) Place Written: Providence, Rhode Island Type: Manuscript letter signed Date: 28 March 1776 Pagination: 1 p. : address ; 23 cm. x 18.5 cm. Order a Copy
On behalf of the General Assembly of Rhode Island, Governor Cooke requests artillery pieces for the defense of the colony, as well as the return of artillery lent to the Continental Army in Cambridge for the seige of Boston. The British evacuated Boston on 17 March 1776. "On public service" written on address leaf.
[draft]
Providence March 28. 1776
Sir
This waits upon you by Col. Mathewson a Member of the General Assembly and a Gentleman of Merit, whom I beg Leave to recommend to your Notice.
The Assembly have appointed him to make Application to your Excellency for 40 Cannon from 9 to 24 Pounders to be made Use of for the Defence of the Colony. He hath it particularly in Charge to request your Excellency that the 18 and 24 Pounders which were lent by this colony to the provincial Army - assembled near boston may be returned with their Carriages &c. - I have no Doubt of your Readiness to oblige the Colony in this reasonable Request, and beg Leave to assure ou that I am with great Truth and Esteem,
Sir
Your most obedt. and
most hble Servt.
Nich[ola]s Cooke
His Excely. Genl. Washington
[address leaf]
To
His Excellency
George Washington Esqr.
Commander in Chief of all the
American Forces.
Cambridge
Favoured by
Col. Mathewson
[free frank]
On the publick Service
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