[Extract]

I received your Favor of the 6th Instant, am Glad to hear more Powder is arrived at Philadelphia ... I am very sorry to Inform you that I cannot find that we have any Oar [ore] in this Province that will do to make Cannon ー I applied some time ago to the Owners of the Furnace at Providence to make the Cannon for the Ships Building in this Province, but they sent me word that they could not supply me, as they had. Engaged to make as many for the Colony of Rhode Island as they could possibly finish by the time they would be wanted, and Mr D~rfy has been there lately to procure Some & finds those they have made prove to be bad; they h~ve made some Since but have not as yet proved them, they hope they will answer. I can expect no Supply from that Quarter & therefore if pigs Cannot be sent from Philadelphia we must have the Cannon from thence, and therefore should be glad you would immediately Inform me Whether Cannon Can be had from Philadelphia New York or Maryland & how Soon ー Mr [Aaron] Hobart is Building an Air Furnace but is so Slow in his Motions that I fear whether he will be able to make the Cannon Seasonably. he designs to use sea Coal in his Air furnace, he has engaged one hundred Tons, thro my interposition, at Plimouth which will be handy for him. People here think you are mistaken in apprehending that Pig Iron is not so good as Oar. They say Vast Quantities have been transported from America to Great Britain for the Purpose of making Cannon ー our Ships are Going on very fast,2 as many Men are Employed about them As Can possibly be of any Service ー I have been very lucky in getting Hemp, as also a Number of large Anchors that weigh from 25 lb to 3 l lb weight which our People have lately taken from the Men of Warr. The British Troops have evacuated the Town of Boston in great precipitation & in a very ignominious Manner but upon this subject must refer you to Mr Hancock, to whom I have wrote p this Conveyance ー A Detachment of our Troops have gone into Boston and this Day General Washington & his Suit[e] dined with Captain Erving ー in great haste I remain [&c.]