Powder horn, inscribed "Willm. Dawes 1780. When This You See . . ."

powder horn

Revolutionary powder horn; large; inscribed: "Willm. Dawes 1780. When This You See Think That I Be A Man of Liberty. First Then I Say, Brave Souls Be Well Aware How To Secure And Then Direct The War; Where, When and How To Land and When on Shore Keep Well Your Gaining. I Send More." This horn is of the type probably used on board ship for priming the cannon with fine powder. Perhaps refers to William Dawes who rode with Paul Revere on April 18, 1775.