(21) War Office July 11^th 1797 In compliance with your letter of the 11^th ultimo I do the honor to submit, the inclosed statements which exhibit as particularly a view of the mechanical aspects of your enquiries as could be obtained without examining in detail that which have since [undecipherable] your intentions. The measures that have been taken to [hasten?] the rigging and sails and to procure the [undecipherable] Store and the [undecipherable] towards the Armed Equipment of the frigates as possible that they may be got ready for sea in about two Months after being Launched. While on this subject permit me to observe that if Congress [undecipherable] acknowledges an extension of their [undecipherable] it thinks it expedient that early precautions should be taken to [secure?] to the United States a lasting [supply?] of [undecipherable] [?] for [undecipherable] it will be proper that [undecipherable] should [?] for the purpose as well as to [undecipherable] a [undecipherable] for a Navy Yard. The probability is, that our article so important to Maritime Nations as live Oak will be sought after with [undecipherable] avidity, and the [undecipherable] which is [undecipherable] with it may [undecipherable] with [undecipherable] that may render its [attainment?] hereafter more expensive if not impracticable. But whether it is right that the United States should to be the [undecipherable: purchaser?] of such land is a Decision [undecipherable] no doubt you have [undecipherable] not. I am With Great respect Your Ob^t Serv^t James Mc Henry. --- Statement of the progress made in Building a Frigate [undecipherable] [undecipherable] to Carry Thirty [undecipherable] Guns The Hull is well planked inside and out, That the principal Decks are Laid and finished excepting a part of the Gun Deck, the upper [undecipherable] are on [the?] front of three Hawses; about half of the [Battlement?] is [undecipherable] a considerable [undecipherable] [undecipherable]; the [undecipherable] [undecipherable] for the [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable], the [undecipherable] of the [undecipherable] [undecipherable] with the [undecipherable] are nearly [undecipherable] and all other parts of the Hull is in more [forwardness?] that it is expected she may be [Launched?] by the beginning of [undecipherable] next [provided?] the Winter does Not prove Severe. The Rigging is all nearly fitted the [undecipherable] for the Cables are Spun. The Anchors [and?] Iron Ballast on Hand, [and?] the Blocks [undecipherable], [undecipherable], Blocks [undecipherable], [undecipherable] and all the [undecipherable] as [provided?]. The other Materials are as [undecipherable] [undecipherable] and the Work is general [undecipherable] is rapidly towards Completion. --- 22 Statement of the Progress made in Building Frigates at Boston to carry Forty four Guns The whole of the Frame is raised and is ready for planking, the Clamps are prepared, and it is expected with [undecipherable] one more [undecipherable] the [undecipherable]. The Bottoms are in [their?] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] off. The Masts are now [undecipherable] [undecipherable] and the Boats are [Casting?]. All the [undecipherable] for Cover and [undecipherable] [undecipherable] are [made?] with [undecipherable]. The Knees for all the Decks are prepared, as well as the [Beams?] [undecipherable], [undecipherable] Iron Ballast [sufficient?] Store, and the Necessary Materials for [Completing?] the Hull are [undecipherable] and Received. The [Hemp?] for the Cables, Rigging [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [Blocks?] are in the Hands of the [undecipherable] Tradesmen manufacturing [undecipherable] if the Weather Should prove [favourable?] there is no doubt but this Frigate may be Launched on [undecipherable] next. --- Statement of the Progress made in Building a Frigate at Baltimore to carry Thirty Six Guns The whole of the Frame is raised and the [Ceiling?] Plank Frames and [four?] Drifts on and [braces?] off. The [undecipherable] Chambers for Guns and Lower and [Orlop?] Decks are all on and [undecipherable] off. The Beams are [undecipherable] and ready to be [placed?] in their respective places. The Bottom is [undecipherable] and the Knees are getting ready for the Decks, other parts of the Hull as [undecipherable] as [undecipherable] the tradesmen [undecipherable] to [undecipherable] and good [undecipherable] appearances [undecipherable] there [undecipherable] be [undecipherable] in May next. The Lower, [Topmasts?] and [Topgallant?] [Masts?] with [all?] their respective Stays are fitted and ready to go over the [Mast?] [undecipherable]. The other Rigging is also in good Forwardness. The Boats and [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] together with The Blocks [Mountings?] [undecipherable] &c &c. The [Cannons?] for the [Gunboats?] are all [undecipherable] the [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] and [undecipherable] for Mounting on the Carriages [undecipherable] are [Made?]. --- Estimate of the further Sums necessary to Complete the Frigates United States, and Constitution of 44 Guns and [undecipherable] of 36 Guns. [undecipherable] Notes at Philad^a [undecipherable] Military Store — 38.820 [undecipherable] [undecipherable] — 28.000 — 64.820 [undecipherable] Boston [undecipherable] — 39.175 — 45.045