Southwark 31 Mar^h 1794 Sir I now take the liberty of addressing you on a subject that may be interesting to the United States, Sir As a Law is passed for Building the Frigates, probable some of them may be built here, if that should be the case, without some contract is made with some person or persons to procure masts for them, there will be a great expense attend the making them — The masts which are generally brought to this market is by no means large enough for such ships, and are always brought down in time of Freshet, this is sometimes three times in a year, of ten or no more than one fresh has now happened, and a number of the persons who procure masts are now in town & will leave it perhaps this afternoon, as the time for expecting another fresh which may happen in six or eight weeks, I would suggest the Idea of contracting for them at present I am with much Respect Sir Joshua Humphreys Henry Knox