d him that a
workman here had undertaken by the help of moulds and other means,
to make all the parts of the musket so exactly alike, as that, mixed
together promiscuously, any one part should serve equally for every
musket. He had then succeeded as to the lock both of the officer's fusil
and the soldier's musket. From a promiscuous collection of parts, I put
together myself half a dozen locks, taking the first pieces which came
to hand. He has now completed the barrel, stock, and mounting of the
officer's fusil, and is proceeding on those of the soldier's musket.
This method of forming the fire-arm appears to me so advantageous when
repairs become necessary, that I thought it my duty not only to mention
to you the progress of this artist, but to purchase and send you half a
dozen of his officer's fusils. They are packed in a box marked T. J. No.
36, and are sent to Havre, from whence they shall be forwarded to New
York. The barrels and furniture are to their stocks, to prevent the
warping of the wood. The locks are in pieces. You will find with them
tools for putting them together, also a single specimen of his soldier's
lock. He formerly told me, and still tells me, that he shall be able,
after a while, to furnish them cheaper than the common musket of the
same quality, but at first, they will not be so cheap in the first cost,
though the economy in repairs will make them so in the end. He cannot
tell me exactly, at what price he can furnish them. Nor will he be able,
immediately, to furnish any great quantity annually; but with the aid of
the government, he expects to enlarge his establishment greatly. If the
situation of the finances of this country should oblige the government
to abandon him, he would prefer removing with all his people and
implements to America, if we should desire to establish such a
manufacture, and he would expect our government to take all his
implements, on their own account, at what they have cost him. He talked
of about three thousand guineas. I trouble you with these details, and
with the samples, 1. That you may give the idea of such an improvement
to our own workmen, if you think it might answer any good end. 2. That
all the arms he shall have for sale, may be engaged for our government,
if he continues here, and you think it important to engage them. 3.
That you may consider, and do me the honor of communicating your
determination, whether in the event of his establishment being abandoned