Had the complexity of today's bureaucratic government existed when the War Of Independence began, this is how it might have been, with one exception, we probably wouldn't have won. We have titled this first story the "Birth of the Forms"
FARNSWORTH
August 7, 1776
Wilfred Corners
Independent Colony
Of Massachusetts
Cannon Buyer
Continental Congress
Philadelphia
Independent Colony
Of Pennsylvania

To whom it may concern:

I strongly favor the action taken by representatives of the Colonies on July 4, 1776. Since I want to do my part to help, I want to know if you could use an extra cannon. I have a small blacksmith shop here in Wilfred Conners which I run myself. I have never made a cannon, but I'm sure I could do it and if need be, I could get some of the men around these parts to help. I would only charge for the metal I put into it plus a little to help my family buy corn meal and meat for the winter.

Please let me know what kind of cannon you want and where you want it, I'll get started on it right away.

Yours truly,


Andrew Farnsworth
Owner and Proprietor
Farnsworth Blacksmith Shop


Below is the response from the Continental Congress
Continental Congress
27 August 1776
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Andrew Farnsworth
Farnsworth Blacksmith Shop,
Wilfred Corners, Massachusetts

In Reply
Refer to: WXJ-344

Dear Mr. Farnsworth:

In order to conduct business affairs with the Continental Congress and the supply agencies of the Colonial Army, it will be necessary for you to complete certain routine forms to help our Weapons Procurement Evaluation Branch (WPEB) evaluate your business and determine whether you qualify as a supplier for the Colonial Army. Naturally, in the interests of security during this period of unrest, the government agencies must insure that its suppliers meet minimum standards of quality and performance. Please fill out the attached forms (provided in triplicate), retain one file copy, and Return the other copies along with a statement of the types of weapons manufacture or Army supply on which you wish to bid.

By Authority of
The Continental Congress and
The Articles of Confederation
Robert Larkport
Robert Larkport
Chief Industrial Affairs Branch
Congress Procurement Office

Encl: Triplicate Forms