[Capt. Tho^s: Truxtun Baltimore] Sir War Office May 20. 1797 As it is very probable that Congress will require early in this Session general information, relative to the State of the Frigates under construction, and the State of the Materials and Stores for their equipment — I have therefore to request that you will in conjunction with the Constructor, make a general report to this Office as soon as possible of the State of the Hull of the Frigate Constellation; together with all necessary Materials and Stores provided for her equipment, and also the probable time she may be launched and completely equipped for sea. I have requested M^r Humphreys to procure some good Carpenters and Caulkers to send to Baltimore, which I have no doubt he will do [Hon^d Jared Parker Chairman of the Committee on the Naval equipments] Sir W.O. February 2^d. 1797— In reply to your Letter of the 30 of January ult^o. I have the Honor to [undecipherable] an estimate of the probable Cost of a Site for a Navy Yard and the Buildings necessary thereto. 2. Also estimate of the Sum that will be required to purchase Live Oak and Red Cedar sufficient for a Frigate and a Ship of two Tier of Guns. and 3. an estimate of a sum supposed competent to purchase a quantity of Land sufficient to yield Live Oak by proceeding growth equal to the Current demands of the United States. N^o 1. N^o [undecipherable] — An Estimate of the probable Cost of a Site for a Navy Yard, and the Buildings necessary thereto — Cost of 100 Acres of Land for a Navy Yard within 13 or 14 of a large City — @ 53 Dollars $[per acre] — 5300.— Wharfing say 300 feet front — — — — 12410.— Mould Loft with flower under neath — — — 4.000.— Blacksmiths Shop — — — — — 1.000.— Stores, Sail and Rigging Loft — — — — 6.000.— Sheer for Timber — — — — — 3.000.— Mast and Yard Shed — — — — — 500.— Rope Makers Shed — — — — — 3.000.— Stores for Hemp & Cordage — — — — 2.000.— Dollars 37.210 N^o 2. N^o 2. An Estimate of the Sum necessary that may be required to purchase Live Oak and Red Cedar sufficient for a Frigate and Ship of two Tier of Guns. An Annual supply of Live Oak and Red Cedar sufficient for a Frigate and Ship of two Tier of Guns will average 25,000 Cubical feet, each at 1¾ dollars, delivered. — 25.000.— N^o 3. 3. An Estimate of a sum supposed competent to purchase a quantity of Land sufficient to yield Live Oak by proceeding growth equal to the current demands of the United States — On an Island, say on the River St. Mary, containing about 10000 Acres at 4 dollars $ [per acre] — 54.000.