George Washington to the Eastern Department Navy Board, 15 June 1781
To the Eastern Department Navy Board
Head Quarters New Windsor 15th June 1781.
Gentlemen
I have been informed that you have in your possession twenty peices of Cannon 18 pounders belonging to the Continent—We are now in the greatest want of heavy Artillery and if you have no immediate use for those peices or no orders for their particular disposal you will oblige me by delivering them to Colo. Crane of the Artillery who will undertake to forward them to this place. We are likewise very deficient of the quantity of powder necessary for the operation which we have in view1—If you have any of that Article on hand which can be spared or if any has arrived in the Alliance2 or should shortly arrive, you will be pleased also to deliver as much as you can, without interfering with the service of the Marine, to Colonel Crane.3 I have the honor to be Gentlemen Yr most obt Servt.
Df, in Tench Tilghman’s writing, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW.
1. GW refers to an allied attack on the British holding New York City (see The Wethersfield Conference and Aftermath, 14 May–16 June, editorial note).
2. The Continental frigate Alliance, which arrived at Boston on 6 June, brought an inconsequential amount of gunpowder (see William Heath to GW, 7 June, and n.4).
3. The Eastern Department Navy Board replied to GW from Boston on 23 June: “We are honored with your Excellencys Letter of the 15th Instant, and altho’ we had before Upon hearing that the Army had Occasion for 18 pound Cannon Offered Colo. Crane those in our possession, We immediatly on this Occasion repeated the offer, Colo. Crane proposes to receive Ten of them, We have Twenty eight which Number is just a Set for a Ship now on the Stocks & near finished.
“We therefore Beg the favor that your Excellency would give directions for the return of them after they can be Spared by you.
“We had before delivered Colo. Crane all the Powder in our hands (except a Small quantity reserved for the use of the navy) being upwards of two hundred barrells if any more Should Arrive We shall Comply with your requests. We Wish you Sr every Success” (LS, with James Warren’s and William Vernon’s signatures, DLC:GW; LB, DLC: Continental Congress Miscellany, Navy Board Eastern Depts., 1777–82). For the departure from Boston of artillery and military stores with Col. John Crane, see Heath to GW, 4 July.
GW replied to the Eastern Department Navy Board from headquarters near Dobbs Ferry, N.Y., on 8 July: “I have been honord with your Favr of the 23d ulto—& feel myself much obliged by the Readiness which you have complied to, or rather anticipated my Requests for Cannon & Powder—you will be pleased to rest assured of the Return of the Cannon as soon as they can be spared from our Operations—If any more Powder should be in your Power, it is very probable we shall be glad to receive a further Quantity” (Df, in Richard Varick’s writing, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW).