Discusses cannon Major Billings recently engraved. Remarks that he has received news that Billings did a good job engraving the cannons. Gives Billings instructions regarding delivery and billing of the cannon.

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.).

Asks Billings to engrave two pieces of cannon for Congress. Says the cannon is to be presented to General Nathanael Greene. See GLC02437.02861 for Billings response to Knox's request.

Informs Knox that he has received Knox's letter and will begin work (engraving) on the cannons for General Nathanael Greene right away. See GLC02437.02852 for Knox's original request to Billings.

Asks Billings to engrave inscriptions on certain cannon as directed by Congress to be presented to the Count de Rochambeau. As this is a matter in which the Reputation for Arts in the United States is in some degree concerned, instructs Billings to make the engravings as perfect as possible. Suggests Billings engrave the emblems of Justice and Liberty on some cannons, and representations of naval combat on others. Also suggests engraving a bald head eagle the lately adopted Arms of the United States.