War department June 9 1794 Sir, I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Excellency's favor of y^e 25 May last which has been submitted to the President of the United States. Major Rivardi estimated that twelve hundred dollars would be required in addition to the Sum appropriated to Norfolk and he was informed that he might proceed upon the principle of that sum being added. Your attention to this important object is acknowledged by all to have greatly facilitated and accelerated its progress. I have also the honor to acknowledge the receipt of yours of the 31 of May and the 2 instant enclosing sundry papers relatively to the British Ship Charles and the British Schooner delight alledged to have been captured within the limits of our protection. The prompt zeal which your Excellency manifested on this occasion is highly acceptable to the President of the United States. The British Minister has made a memorial on this occasion to which your Excellencies conduct will afford the grounds of satisfactory reply. The Governor of Maryland has been written to on this occasion. A further sum of money shall be forwarded for the mounting of the Cannon — Permit me in confidence to request your information as to the practicability of building at Norfolk one of the largest frigates so as to have it completed for the Sea by the 1^st of May next. The prices at which Journey men Ship Carpenters and Blacksmiths will work p diem. The security of the place in case of a war. If any doubt should remain as to this point it ought to be removed for from a general view of the naval stations which will be proper on our Sea Coast, the situation and circumstances of the Chesapeake that place seems to be one of the most important. I shall also in particularly oblige by a confidential opinion of the merits of M^r Rivardi as an Engineer and as far as you have opportunities of his talents as an Artillerist. M^r [undecipherable] is employed upon the fortifications of Alexandria which will be upon a small scale, upon Jones's point below the Town. Captain [undecipherable] had marched his [undecipherable: detachment?] before he received my order. But I shall order Cap^t Richard Scott Blackman who is appointed a Captain of Artillery upon your [undecipherable]'s recommendation and others to recruits for the Artillery and send his Recruits to Norfolk. I have the honor to be with great Respect Your obed^t Servant H Knox [undecipherable: Sec^y of War?] His Excellency, the Governor of Virginia [Sec^y of War June 9. 1794— The Governor of Virginia. X X X X]