To Alexander Hamilton from Tench Coxe, [27 June 1794]
From Tench Coxe
[Philadelphia, June 27, 1794]
Mr. Coxe has the honor to inform the Secy. of the Treasury that General Miller1 arrived from York yesterday afternoon. It appears probable he will be prevailed upon both to accept the office & ultimately to move to Philadelphia. In the course of the day, and after he shall have adjusted a preliminary Matter he is to call again. If no other Engagement interferes Mr. Coxe will be glad to see the secy. at dinner with Genl. Miller to morrow at 3 oClock.
Mr. Hughes2 has arrived, and wishes dispatch. Brown & Francis3 & he are the only officers for large Guns. The latter only hope for a proportion of Shot and shells. They mention no price for these, and ask for £36. lawful money = £45. P.C. or 120 Drs: They can furnish about ⅔ of the quantity of Cannon. Messrs. Hughes & Co ask £40 for the Cannon, wch. is lower than B & Francis, but it is probable from what has passed that they will insist on shot, Shells & iron ballast in proportion at their price, 3d ⅌ lb = £28.11.0 ⅌ Ton. The prices asked separately by others is from £25 down to £15.
Mr. Coxe wishes to know when & where he can have a conference on these points with the Secy.
AL, Tench Coxe Papers, Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia.
1. Henry Miller. See H to George Washington, June 14, 1794; Bartholomew Dandridge to H, June 16, 1794.
2. Samuel Hughes was an ironmaster and owner of the Cecil Iron Company at Havre de Grace, Maryland. On June 27, 1794, Coxe wrote to Hughes: “I have just had the necessary conference with the Secretary of the Treasury, & it is determined to take any quantity of the cannon, 32 or 42 pounders, not more than one third, at your offer … also to take an equal proportion of the cannon balls, shells, & ballast …” (LC, RG 75, Letters of Tench Coxe, Commissioner of the Revenue, Relating to the Procurement of Military, Naval, and Indian Supplies, National Archives).
3. The Rhode Island firm of Brown and Francis was the owner of the Furnace Hope. The partners in the firm were John Brown, John Francis, Rufus Hopkins, Nicholas Power, Obadiah Brown, Jabez Bowen, and the firm of Brown, Benson, and Ives.