[Copy] [Copies of a letter to James McHenry Sec^t of War Phil: Nov: 10: 1797] Philadelphia Nov. 10. 1797 Sir I take the liberty of laying before you a statement of the Frigate United States together with her appurtenances So far as comes under my knowledge [redacted] The Ships hull is completely finished except a few small Carpenter Jobs which may be done in a few Days and some Black Smiths work which will not take above three or four weeks, the Iron Ballest is all on Board and in its proper place, the most part of the Water Casks stowed and filled and the remainder will soon be ready, the Masts all are end and riged; the Boats built and in compleat order, Anchors all on board except one which may be got on board at a short notice, the Cables all made some of them on board and the remainder ready to take on board, It may not be amiss here to observe that whilest we have a Number of Men employed in geting the Cables on board, if She is to lay up for the Winter She ought to be put into a Safe place to keep her clear of the Ice in the Winter, and as there is but one Such place that I can find along shore, Should the Winter Set in soon and that place be occupied there may be Some trouble to get it, but if She is to be put to Sea this Winter, She ought to be Moored in the River at the lower part of the town to take on board her Store and then in either of the above Cases I ought to have your Orders, the Yards are not yet finished but in hand and may be completed in ten or fifteen Days, Signal and other Colors not in hand except — Continental which is nearly finished, one Suit of Sails finished and the other in hands Riging all made — waiting for the Yards to compleat his Rigging and fit her for Sea in a Short time — You will have herewith a Statement of the Guns on the Island from M^r Duvster and my Self, and I am very sorry to say it is [strikethrough: very] disagreeable one to me as we have them in a very bad State, the Powder I am informed is all ready to put on board, the other articles for the Great Guns are some ready and the remainder in a fore way, the State of the Provisions and Slops for the Men I know nothing of, It may be proper to appoint a proper Person not only to pay the Officers and Men now on board and has money Due them but all such as may be employed hereafter, It is much to be regretted that one of the most material articles for equipping the Frigate is at this time not to be had nor do I know where you can find thirty, twenty five pounders for such a Ship, for it is very clear to me that a Ship that has cost the United States so much Money ought not to be Sent to sea With out a Compleat [undecipherable] and well Maned whom that is the case make it Death for any Commander that will not do Justice to his Ship and Men and Honor to him Self and Country, I need never to go to Sea in a better Ship on any other terms on any other terms I have the Honor to be with Esteem The Hon^ble James McHenry Sec^t of War                       Your Ob^t Humb^l Ser^t                                                                                                  John Barry