George Washington Papers
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https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/03-23-02-0482

To George Washington from the Board of War, 17 December 1779

From the Board of War

War Office [Philadelphia] Decr 17. 1779

Sir,

Upon the application of the Honble the Board of Admiralty we have given them an order to receive of Colo. Stevens the two tons of powder & such of the naval stores and other materials collected at New London for fixing the fireships, as should be wanted for the frigates Trumbull and Bourbon.1 That board also requested an order for two tons more of powder on the magazine at Springfield; but this was impracticable, it being nearly exhausted already. We informed them of the probability of obtaining this last quantity of the governour of Connecticut.2 We have the honour to be your Excellency’s most obedt servants

By order of the board
Tim. Pickering

ALS, DLC:GW; LB, MHi: Pickering Papers.

1The 28–gun Continental frigate Trumbull was captured at sea in 1781. The 36–gun Continental frigate Bourbon never saw active service and was sold in 1783.

2Board of Admiralty chairman Francis Lewis wrote Connecticut governor Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., on 18 Dec.: “John Deshon Esqr. a Commissioner of the Navy Board of the Eastern department having applied to this Board for an additional Supply of two Tons powder for furnishing the Two frigates Trumbull & Bourbon now at New London—this application was by Congress referred to the Board of War from whence we received the following Answer. ‘We recollect that General Washington at the time Count D’Estaing was expected applyed to the Governor of Connecticut for Powder and was promised about 15 Tons, the Count not coming we Suppose this Supply was never drawn from the Connecticut Magazines—we have no doubt you may easily obtain from Governor Trumbull the Two Tons you want.’ Should it be convenient for your Excellency to comply with this request it will greatly facilitate the sending those frigates to sea” (DNA:PCC, Miscellaneous Papers, Marine Committee Letter Book; see also GW to Trumbull, 7 Oct., and Trumbull to GW, 14 Oct.). Trumbull and the Connecticut Council of Safety granted the request on 3 Feb. 1780 (see Conn. Public Records, description begins The Public Records of the State of Connecticut . . . with the Journal of the Council of Safety . . . and an Appendix. 18 vols. to date. Hartford, 1894–. description ends 2:499–500).

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