1To George Washington from John Brown, 3–4 November 1775 (Washington Papers)
I having a Vessel arrived at Norwich from Suranam which having brought a Small Quantity of Powder Viz. Forty four Cask Containing a Half hundred Each, I thought it proper to acquaint you thereof, but I am at a loss to determin which may be best for the General Cause for it to go to the Camp or to be Sold out here, so that People in General may be better quallified to Defend the Sea Coast, Our...
2To George Washington from John Brown, 21 November 1775 (Washington Papers)
I wrote you of the 3rd Instant, to which have not been favord with an Answer, This is to Offer you One Ton of good Pistol Powder at Six shillings ⅌ pound here, to which Desire your Answer, as also respecting the Cannon, in which youl Oblige Sir Your most Obt humble Servt LS , DLC:GW . The letter that Stephen Moylan wrote to Brown on 8 Nov. apparently failed to arrive. See Brown to GW, 3–4 Nov....
3Contract between the Secret Committee and John Brown, [before 20 January 1776]: résumé (Franklin Papers)
Copy with DS by Nicholas Brown: John Carter Brown Library <[Before Jan. 20, 1776]: Agreed between John Brown on the one part and members of the committee on the other that a voyage or voyages will be undertaken to procure thirty-six tons of gunpowder (or, failing that, sufficient saltpetre and sulphur to make up the same amount), 1,000 stand of good arms, 1,000 gun locks, twenty tons of lead,...
The Committee of both Houses appointed to consider a Plan for fiting out one or more Armed Vessels for the defence of American Liberty, have attended that service, and Report in the following Resolves, vizt. Resolved that two Ships be built, as soon as may be, at the expence of this Colony; One Suitable to carry Thirty-Six Guns, vizt., Twenty Four Guns carrying twelve Pound Shot, and Sixteen...
5Contract between the Secret Committee and John and Nicholas Brown, 6 February 1776: résumé (Franklin Papers)
Copy: John Carter Brown Library <Philadelphia, February 6, 1776: The Browns will procure in Europe 10,000 good blankets at approximately 4 s. 6 d. to 5 s. sterling apiece; 9,200 yards of blue and brown broadcloth for uniforms and 800 yards of different colors for facings, most of the cloth, being for privates, at about 4 s. sterling per yard and the rest, for officers, at 6 s. ; ten tons of...
6To George Washington from John Brown, 9 July 1778 (Washington Papers)
I being a Small part Concern’d in a prize Ship Arived at the port of Boston with a Cargo of Maderia wine and haveing lately ben told that Good wine was not to be bot at or near Your Camp, have taken the Liberty to present You with a Butt Qt 157 Gs. which was picked out by Collo. More, as the Best in the whole Cargo which Consisted of about 29,000 Gallons the Same was well Cassed up and...
7To George Washington from John Brown, 4 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
With due Submission to your Excellencys Superior Judgment, I now take the Liberty to Mention a Matter which Appears to me to bid fair for great Advantages to the United States in General, tho it may be Otherwise to this State in perticular. from the late Disaster of the Culloden one of the Enemys 74 Gun Ships and the Dismastment of One more of the Ships of the Line at Gardners Bay, the French...
8To George Washington from John Brown, 1 November 1786 (Washington Papers)
Tho’ its a long time since I have had the pleasure of seeing or hearing from you, my continued esteem for your Person & Character prompts me to address you in favour of a Mr Joseph Jenckes a young Gentleman of about 22 years of age who went from this place to Alexandria in September last with Intention to set down in Business there in the mercantile Line under the Firm of Jenckes Winsor & Co....
9To James Madison from John Brown, 9 April 1788 (Madison Papers)
I herewith inclose you two Letters which were this Morning brought for you to our Lodgings—also the News Papers of this day which contain all intelligence in circulation here worthy your Notice. The French Packett arrived a day or two ago (being the first since you left us). I hear it has brought some public Dispatches but am not yet inform’d of their Contents. Nine States have not appeard in...
10To James Madison from John Brown, 12 May 1788 (Madison Papers)
I have had the honor to receive your favors of the 9th. & 21st. of April for which accept my thanks. My hopes respecting the Success of the new Constitution in Virginia are in some measure revived by the information you have given me upon that Subject but am still sorry to find that the number of friends & foes are so nearly divided as to render the Vote of Kentucky of critical importance for...