1Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 12 April 1777 (Franklin Papers)
...Baltic Sea ships of war on account of the Congress if they or you for them will give orders. They say that they can do this in a very advantageous manner that being the Country for Wood Iron Hemp and naval Stores. If you think such an undertaking worth prosecuting and will either keep the Plans for your own Government or will send them to the Congress they are at your Service (but if you at...
2Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 26 July 1777 (Franklin Papers)
...purchase her and make her entirely french then send her to me. My next shall inform you of the price of large anchors which I imagine I shall be able to procure; Cordage is up to 38 Livres, hemp being very scearce. After Tuesday next I shall put 2 large Cables in hand and endeavour to purchase the anchors immediately as it is an article we can’t always command. I wish to have the 100,000...
3Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 2 August 1777 (Franklin Papers)
per ct. the very heavy ones I can’t say the price. Cordage can be made here to any Dimensions but a sudden large demand would raise the price, as hemp is already Scarce, it stands now from 37 to 38
4Thomas Thompson to the American Commissioners, 20 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
...Goods in her and send her to Boston in the Month of March. Put every Gun she would carry on both Decks; when out strike the lower Deck Guns into the Hould. Let the rest of her Cargo be Hemp and Yarns ready tarr’d, fitting to lay into any kind of Cordage.