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Collection Reference Number GLC02437.01733
From Archive Folder The Henry Knox Papers [0049] December 1782 
Title Andrew Billings informs Henry Knox that the cannons will be ready for delivery soon
Date 7 December 1782
Author Billings, Andrew (1743-1808)  
Recipient Knox, Henry  
Document Type Military document; Correspondence
Content Description Is honored to report that the two cannons entrusted to him will be ready for delivery by next Wednesday. Will soon be going away for some weeks and wishes he could be present to see them sent off, but hopes they will meet with Knox's approval. Explains that the quality of the engraving is not as high as he might be able to accomplish on copper because of the hardness of the cannon's metal. Describes how best to clean and maintain them: "if they are kept covered and once in a month washed with a clean brush and hot soap suds wrensed off with hot watter they will preserve the pollish." Hopes that his price of 40 guineas was not considered too extravagant, but the job did take him nine weeks to perform and required the labor of several workers as well. (See GLC02437.01746 for a certificate from Knox certifying Billings's engraving of the cannon.)
Subjects Revolutionary War  Revolutionary War General  Military History  Continental Army  Artisans  Artillery  Battle (Siege, Surrender) of Yorktown  France  Global History and Civics  Finance  
People Billings, Andrew (1743-1808)  Knox, Henry (1750-1806)  
Place written Poughkeepsie, New York
Theme The American Revolution; Industry
Sub-collection The Henry Knox Papers
Copyright The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History
Module Settlement, Commerce, Revolution and Reform: 1493-1859
Related documents Certificate for Andrew Billings Esq. for engravings for two pieces of cannon