Sir

Your Favour from Philadelphia of Octr 7th is before me, for delaying, so long, to answer it, I must appologize, having been extreemly hurried in Business —

There is no convenient way of enlarging This Furnace so as to cast Thirty two lbders, unless She is rebuilt, to do which I judge will never be expedient, while smaller Cannon continue in Demand as at present —

I can give little or no Encouragement as to Guns for the Frigates in the States of Massachusetts and New Hampshire, as all the Guns that have been cast here, of the Sizes mentioned in yrs, are already disposed of and all that are to be made for some time to come, are pre-engaged.

The Produce of the Furnace has been hitherto disposed of by Vote of the Governor & Council of Safety for this State, and all Applications for Cannon &c must be to Him, for an Order for the delivery of Them here —

As Our Metal is esteem'd superior to any in America, I immagin Twenty four lbders might be cast at this Furnace another Blast, if the Hearth was laid larger than it now is — as we can at present run Iron enough for Eighteen lbders in a heavier Mold than is necessary, (as I think,) for Metal of such extraordinary Tufoess as Our Salisbury Ore affords. I propose casting a Gun for a trial, in a Mold constructed according to Mullers Directions, which will be lighter, by about 1/5 — if it bears the proof, it will encourage us to think that Twenty four lbders may be cast here. For proof we charge with 2/3 the Weight of the Shot, in powder, and 2 Balls. I am Sir [&c.]