TRANSCRIPT GLC 2437.34.172

Henry Knox.  Letter copy:  War Department, to George Washington, 1793 December 14.  3 p.

[inserted - different hand:  December 14^th 1793]

[inserted – different hand in margin:
Return of Ordnance, 1793                      
Army and Military
Stores – war department
Dec 14 1793.]

War Department
Decemb. 14. 1793.

Sir

I have the honor to submit a Return of the Ordinance Arms and Military Stores in possession of the United States –

It resulted from the casual circumstances of the late war, that these stores were accumulated principally at the following points. viz. New London in Virginia – Philadelphia – West point on Hudson’s River – and Springfield on Connecticut River; all of which perhaps, excepting Springfield, are improper places for permanent magazines.

The important characteristics for magazines and arsenals seem to be perfect security against enemies internal and external, blended with an easy access by water.  The expence of land transportation of heavy articles for a series of years compared with that by water, renders the latter quality indispensible for a magazine.

The situation of New London being destitute of water communication with the ocean is not a proper place for a permanent magazine, and it would seem therefore necessary that [2] some other position should be sought on James River more suitable for the erection of proper buildings.

It may be questionable whether a populous city is a proper place for the repository of large quantities of military stores on account of the residents to which the places are liable to fire and other causes.  <?>, it is intended that a part of the stores are deposited in Philadelphia shall be removed to some safe position higher on the Delaware.

West Point on Hudson River although a precious link in the chain which binds the states together has on account of the well known navigation of  that river, and the ease <?> are so from the Ocean, been considered as an improper place for an extensive magazine.  For this reason part of the surplus stores have been removed temporarily to, <?>

During the late war a number of valuable brick buildings were erected at Carlisle in Pennsylvania as well for the ocupation of stores, as to accommodate a number of workmen in the Ordnance Department, but these buildings were not to be used after the apprehensions of invasion subsided, <?> to the expence and delay occassioned by the land transportation.  The same causes still prevent the use in any considerable degree.

The situation of the United States would seem to require that the capital magazines should be established permanently, one for the southern, one for the middle, and one for the eastern states, with such subdivisions to be desired indispensible for special use – [3]

It would also seem to be a dictate of sound national policy, that the United States should always possess one hundred thousand arms placed in their respective arsenals, and that the battering and field artillery and ammunition, should be in ample proportion.

It is presumed that all the cannon arms and ammunition required by the United States, might be fabricated among ourselves.  It is possible the expence may be greater than if the articles were imported, but this circumstance is not of such moment, as to be compared with the solid advantages which would result from extending and perfecting the means upon which our safety may ultimately depend.

I have the honor to be
with the highest respect
Sir
Your obedient servant

The President of the United States.