I have troubled you with this Epistle of Horse hire and Shop Goods at a Time when, no Doubt, your Attention is called to Affairs of the greatest Concern to our Country. Excuse me, my dear Friend for once, and be assured that I am your affectionate, TO WALTER STEWART. [MS., Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library.] BALTIMORE Feb 12 1777 SIR I receivd by Mr Babcock, your Letter dated Lebanon Jany 23, communicated the same to the Committee and afterward laid it before Congress. The Price of the Cannon at Salisbury1 so much exceeds that at which it is set in a Contract enterd into by Congress with the Owners of a Foundery in this State, that Congress have thought proper not to allow it, but have directed the Committee to request Governor Trumbull to lend them, to be returnd or others in Lieu of them as soon as possible. The Come have written accordingly; and I think it necessary to give you Notice of the Sense of Congress relating to the Price of Cannon as early as possible, that you may govern yourself thereby in your further Execution of your Commission. I am &c _________________________________________________________________ 1Connecticut. TO JONATHAN TRUMBELL.1 [MS., Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library.] BALTIMORE 12th Feb 1777 SIR/ The Committee on the Affairs in the Northern Department having laid before Congress a Letter receivd from Colo Stewart who was sent by them agreable to Order of Congress, to procure Cannon, wherein he informs that there is a Quantity of Cannon at Salisbury Foundery which the Governor & Council of Connecticutt are willing to dispose of to the Continent, but demand the Price of seventy Pounds Lawful Money p Ton for 18 & 9 pounders and Eighty Pounds Lawfull Money pr Ton for 6, 4 & 3 pounders, it is an Order of Congress that the Committee aforesaid write to Govr Trumbull & inform him of the Contracts enterd into by Congress, state to him the Prejudice it will do to those Contracts and the ill Effects that must ensue to the Continent, should so high a Price be given for these Cannon, and request him to lend the Cannon, which are much wanted for the Defence of Ticonderoga, and assure him that Congress will return them or others in Lieu of them as soon as possible. Your Honor will please to be informd that Congress have enterd into a Contract with the Owners of a Foundery in the State of Maryland for 1000 Tons of Cannon from 32 down to 4 pounders to be deliverd in such proportion as Congress shall require at L36 10s p Ton accounting Dollars at 7/6.