New Bern 7th Augst 1776ー
Dear Sir
above you have an abstract of a Letter from Mr [Peter] Knight concerning the Guns, Swivels, Ball &ca &ca ordered for the use of the Pensylvania Farmer and paid for at least as far as 800 Dollars wd go which I remitted him in Bills,2 he never has advised me how much the whole of the articles ordered cost; I should be glad to have your Directions whether to order him to Dispose of them on acct. of the province or not ー We have at last got in the way of running Bullets, and this week will have as many as will do for the Brig. Mr [Joseph] Leech has been at the Mari's works about 18 miles up Trent 3 Days ago, and says he saw him cast several, and after that Day he was in no Doubts but he cd run 100 or more a Day, the Brig goes down tomorrow or next Day at farthest ー This Day I purchased a small Sloop and not having procured either officers or men, beg you will send me an order to Mr Sitgraves to let me have (on Complying with the terms) one of the two Commissions he has in his possession as she will be ready to sail by the time Mr Neal returns, not a line to be got in Town I refer you to the Bearer Mr Neal for news I am Sir yours and the Gentlemen of the Council's [&c.]
Richd Ellis
1. Secretary of State Papers (Correspondence of Council of Safety, 1776), NCDAH. Hartnett was chairman of the North Carolina Council of Safety.
2. Ibid., the abstract of the letter from Peter Knight, dated Philadelphia, July 15, 1776, reads: "Should you incline to have the Cannon &ca sold, could sell them now to a profit expected you wd have said something about the sale of them as you cannot get them to your place; but suppose you mean to have them ly at the risque of your Province till winter, and then perhaps send for them."
