George Washington Papers

To George Washington from Nicholas Brown, 27 May 1776

From Nicholas Brown

Providence May 27. 1776

Sir,

I received yours of the 17th Inst. Covering a Letter from Robert Morris Esqr. Chairman of the Secret Committee of Congress, for the forwarding Fourteen Muskets in our hands belonging to the Continent in the most safe and Expeditious manner. Ten of said Muskets with some Swivels we had before put on board two valuable Vessels and Cargoes we lately Fitted for France on the Continental Service, by which means we hope to prevent their being taken by any Small boat or Barge, as several have been for want thereof1—The Other Four now send You by way of Norwich to the Care of Chrisr Leffingwell, Esqr. to be forwarded Immediately—this is the first Oppertunity we Coud get to Send them. I am for myself & Brother Jno. Brown Your Excellencys most respectful Humbe Servt

Nicho. Brown

LS, DLC:GW; Df, RPJCB; copy, in Caleb Gibbs’s writing, enclosed in GW to Hancock, 9 June 1776, DNA:PCC, item 152; copy, DNA:PCC, item 169; copy, DLC: Hancock Papers.

1Nicholas and John Brown sent the brig Happy Return under Capt. Gideon Crawford and the schooner Sally under Capt. Samuel Avery to Nantes to obtain blankets, cloth for uniforms, lead, firearms, and gunpowder (Browns’ account with the secret committee, 23 May, Browns to Avery, 23 May, and Browns to Robert Morris, 15 July 1776, in Clark and Morgan, Naval Documents description begins William Bell Clark et al., eds. Naval Documents of the American Revolution. 12 vols. to date. Washington, D.C., 1964–. description ends , 5:218–20, 1083–84).

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