maintaining such a ship for one year, stating the strength of the crew at three hundred and fifty men of all descriptions. I do not submit to the Committee the cost of the frigates built during the late war in the United States as the circumstances then and now are so widely different as to preclude any accurate estimate of the present expence of building from the charges during the war. I conceived it would be much more adviseable in order to ascertain the present prices, to have the principal workmen in this city consulted on the occasion under the idea of a commission from abroad. The estimate therefore although not so minute as might be desired, may be in general considered as to be fairly accurate, and fully adequate to the object. Nothing has been suggested as to any particular mode of construction, excepting that the ship [undecipherable: will] have two decks for batteries, the lowest of which is stated as consisting of twenty four pounders, although eighteen pounders may be deemed sufficiently large: four eight-inch howitzers are suggested with diffidence, although with an entire conviction of their powerful effect with due management. The estimate for the brigantine is preparing and will be submitted tomorrow [pro: (Butler)] War Department, Nov^r 17 1791 Sir, I have the honor to submit to you and the