To George Washington from Alexander Lunan, 14 January 1757
From Alexander Lunan
Philada 14: January 1757.
Sir.
By order of Colo. John Carlyle of Alexandria I send You by the bearer John Spore1—Two Matted Bales qr. 22½ Rheam’s of Cartridge sorted. one long Box. contg four X Cutt saws. and 4 Whip saws. with the Handles, Files, Setts, and every thing ready fitted, the Saws are also Sharpd. & as they are extreamly well pack’d up, I hope they’l come safe to hand; they are the very best of the kinds I could meet with in the City, and I daresay will give Satisfaction. As Mr Carlyle only mentiond Cartridge paper in General, I was at some Loss what to send, but by the advice of some of the Gentlemen of the Army here, I think the kinds will answer, their 1½ Quires, say Rheams, for the Great Guns.2 If any thing further of this kind, should be wanted the order’s Should be more particular. They are from the best hands, the Bills of Parcels of them I send to Mr Carlyle. they amount to £31.15.7. this Curry to his Debite—They Weigh just Five Hundred & Fourty pounds and I have agreed to pay him the same Philip Bush does. which is Twenty Shills. ⅌ qr. & hes taken his receipt accordingly.3 It will always give me pleasure to receive Your Commands. being with much respect. Sir. Your most obedt Servent
Alexr Lunan
ALS, DLC:GW. The docket on this letter states that Lunan was “Inclosing a Rect & acct.”
Alexander Lunan, who had a store on the river in Philadelphia, was one of a number of contractors who supplied British and colonial troops during the French and Indian War.
1. John Spour hauled goods for Philadelphia merchants. GW noted in his military accounts on 10 Mar. 1757 that he had “paid John Spore carriage of Sundries from Philada—4.14.9.” (Va. Regimental Accounts, 1755–58, DLC:GW). On 28 May 1757 Spour signed a receipt for military supplies that he was to haul from Winchester to Lancaster, Pa., for the use of Col. John Stanwix. See John Stanwix to GW, 23 May 1757, and GW to Edward Shippen, 28 May 1757, and Enclosure.
2. John Carlyle wrote GW on 2 Dec. 1756: “I am at a Loss as to the Quantity & Sorts of Cartridge Paper but Will Send up Sum of both sorts for the Preasent, the Season of the Year Is too far Advanced to depend on Sending to Philadephia.” The regiment used paper to make cartridge cases both for small arms and for its cannons.
3. This is perhaps Philip Bush of Winchester, a merchant who sometimes provided supplies for the Virginia Regiment.