Philada. Jany 14th. 1777
Honorable Gentlemen
I have the honor to enclose herein a Copy of two Resolves of Congress passed the 19th & 29th Novr by which the Secret Committee are directed to import two hundred & twenty Six Brass Canon & arms and equipage compleat for three thousand Horse,1 you'l observe they are also directed to Confer with the Canon Committee as to how many they can provide here of the Field pieces, but we pay little regard to that part, well knowing they will not be able to procure proper metal for many of them.
Therefore I must request in the Name and on behalf of the Secret Committee that you will Contract immediately for these necessary supplys & send them out to these States by various conveyances as quick as possible. Indeed I hope you may procure some line of Battle Ships to come out with them & then there will be little danger of their coming safe. I most sincerely hope the Court of France may be disposed to favour all our Views, that they will accomodate you with sufficient loans to pay for these & all other Stores we want from Europe for altho we have plenty of Valueable produce that wou'd soon provide you with ample Funds if we cou'd get it exported safely, yet the difficultys & impediments we meet with render it impossible to get it away half fast enough. Nothing in our power shall be left undone & Mr Thos. Morris will be ordered to supply ,you with Money fast as he receives it from the net proceeds of our Consignments.2
I have the honor to be, with great esteem & regard, Honorable Gentlemen, Your most Obedt Servant,
Robt Morris, Chair Man of the Secret Committee
Receiver's copy, American Philosophical Society. Written and signed by Robert Morris.
1 See JCC, 6: 963, 992.
2 As chairman of the Secret Committee, Robert Morris this day wrote the following to his brother Thomas: "We have this day transmitted an order to the Honorable Benjamin Franklin, Silas Deane a Arthur Lee Esquires to contract for 266 Rrass Feild Pieces, and Arms & Equipage for Three Thousand Horse. We request you will give every aid and assistance in your power towards the expeditious execution of this order in every respect either as to the purchase or transportation of them, and as funds come into your hands from the Neat proceeds of our Consignments, you are to Supply them with the Money to pay for these and other Stores they are or may be ordered to Supply Franklin Papers, PPAmP.