War-Office, 22*d* March, 1798. S I R, I HAD the honor to receive your letter of the 15th of January ultimo, inclosing the following resolution of the House of Representatives, of the same date. "Resolved, That a committee be appointed to enquire into the expenditure of the monies heretofore appropriated for the naval armament, and also into the causes of the delay in completing the same, and that they report their opinion thereon to the house." In pursuance of this resolution, the Committee request to be furnished, as soon as convenient, with such detailed accounts of the expenditures therein referred to, as will enable them to perform the duties of their appointment; and also with a statement of the leading causes that have retarded the completion of the naval armament, beyond the several periods mentioned in the estimates submitted to the House of Representatives. I have also had communicated to me by the Committee, on the 16th of March instant, the annexed resolution of the House of Representatives. "Resolved, That the committee appointed, on the fifteenth of January last, to 'enquire into the expenditures of the monies heretofore appropriated for a naval armament, and also into the causes of the delay in completing the same' be instructed to report to this house, what naval materials, or apparatus, may be left on hand, after fitting out the frigates United States, Constitution, and Constellation; also, what articles purchased for the six frigates directed to be built by the act of the twenty-seventh of March, one thousand seven hundred and ninety-four, have been disposed of, and how disposed of, except what may have been, or may be used for the frigates United States, Constitution, and Constellation; designating at what places the remaining materials are, and what they consist of." The first request of the Committee will be found, generally, anticipated by the report of the Secretary of the Treasury, made in conformity to a resolution of the House of Representatives, passed on the third of March 1797. This report, to which I take the liberty to refer, exhibits—Statement (G), a summary view of the monies advanced to the naval agents, and other persons employed in procuring supplies for the naval establishment, prior to the first day of January, 1797. Statement (H), the sums accounted for, prior to the first of January 1797, of the monies previously advanced on account of the naval establishment. Statement (I), the balances which remained to be accounted for, on the first of January 1797, of the sums previously advanced on account of the naval establishment. Statement (P), an account of monies advanced for the naval establishment, to the first of January 1797; the accounts for which remain open on the books of the War. Statement of the ultimate application of monies advanced by warrants of the Department of War, for the naval establishment, to the first of January 1797, the accounts of which have been settled. Statement (R), a summary view of the expenditures on account of the naval establishment, by the Department of War, to the first of January 1797. Statement (S), a continued view of the sums expended from the Treasury, on account of the naval establishment, during the year 1797, with a statement of the appropriations remaining unexpended at the close of the said year. With a view to a more particular elucidation of this subject, and in conformity to the two resolutions of the House of Representatives, aforesaid, I have subjoined certain statements, arranged under the following heads. B Statement (AA), a general abstract of the expenditures for the naval armament, comprising,—1st. The cost of the timber procured from Georgia. 2d. The cost of the freight of ditto, from ditto, to the several navy yards. 3d. The monies expended in fixtures, implements, &c. at the several navy yards of Portsmouth, Boston, New-York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Norfolk. 4th. The cost of the labour, materials, and freights for the ships Constitution, United States, and Constellation, respectively. 5th. The cost of labour, materials, and freights for the ships commenced at Portsmouth, New-York, and Norfolk. 6th. The amount of expenditures that apply generally, to the several ships and navy yards. To this general abstract is also subjoined, Statement (A), Abstract of expenditures in procuring timber in Georgia. Statement (B), Abstract of the freight money paid for the transportation of Georgia wood, to the several navy yards. Statement (C), Abstract of expences of the several navy yards instituted at Portsmouth, Boston, New-York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Norfolk. Statement (D), Abstract of monies paid for timber (other than Georgia wood), iron, and other materials used in building the frigates. Statement (E), Abstract of monies paid by several agents to ship carpenters, mechanics, and labourers employed at the several navy yards in building the frigates. Statement (F), Abstract of monies paid by several agents for freight (other than Georgia wood) including the rafting of timber to the navy yards. Statement (G), Abstract of monies paid for copper and other articles imported; and for fail-cloth, and other articles of domestic manufacture. Statement (H₁), An estimate of the application of balances. (K.) A letter of instructions to Josiah Fox, respecting the arranging and securing the timber, materials, &c. in the navy yards. (L.) Exhibits statements of live oak timber, and other materials on hand, in the navy yards at Portsmouth, (N. H.) and New-York, arranged agreeably to the foregoing instructions. (M.) A statement of live oak timber, and other materials deposited in the navy yard at Norfolk in Virginia. (N.) An estimate of the timber and materials on hand in the navy yards at Philadelphia, Boston, Baltimore, and in Georgia. (O.) An account of the timber and materials sold, to whom, and its amount. It may not perhaps be improper to remark, previous to any observations respecting these estimates, that on the 27th of March 1794, when the act passed to provide the naval armament, the public were without magazines of timber, materials, or system, which could in anywise give facility to the building and equipping of heavy ships of war; circumstances extremely unfavourable, but necessarily attendant on the commencement of the work. This situation of things, and a certain portion of inexperience, common to all new undertakings, will no doubt, be duly appreciated, in examining the causes that have rendered the expenditures, upon this occasion, "apparently enormous." The extraordinary expenditures may be considered, as resulting from the following causes. 1. The building of the ships in different places. 2. The size of the ships. 3. The quantity of live oak used in their construction. 4. The rise in the price of materials and labour. 5. Certain losses and contingencies. *1. The building of the Ships in different places.* Had it been determined to build the ships in one place, and in succession, instead of each in a different place, and all at the fame time, it is certain that a considerable saving would have thereby accrued to the public. What induced to a more expensive arrangement? The law, which directed the armament, appears to have intended that the vessels to compose it, were to be built and got ready for sea, with as little delay as possible; consequently, it was incumbent upon the executive, to build and equip them nearly at the same time. Under such a construction of the law, the only remaining point to be determined was, whether they should be all built at the same place. It would have been desirable, no doubt, on account of saving the expence of several establishments, to have built the vessels at one place, and wishes may now be entertained that this had been attempted. To this measure, however, several objections may have presented. Could Philadelphia, New-York, Boston, Portsmouth, Baltimore, or Norfolk, or any other of our maritime towns have furnished the necessary complement of workmen, to have carried on the building of six large frigates, at the same time, without putting a stop to, or sensibly interfering with, their merchant-ship building? Was not the arrangement to build in different towns more likely to keep the general price of wages and labour in all of them, nearer to its customary level, and in a less degree, to affect the merchant service? May it not also have been an object of some importance, at that moment, to have shewn, that the United States were in earnest, to resist aggressions, or meet hostilities? And was not the laying the foundation of the six ships, at the same time, calculated to favour this impression? I find besides, on referring to a report of a predecessor, in the year 1794, that it was thought the money to be expended on the armament, would be more equally diffused, by building the ships in different places, and that such an arrangement would produce greater efforts in the different constructors and workmen of each town, to get their respective vessels first into the water, whilst it would serve as a criterion to judge, where, and by whom, such ships on future occasions, could be best, cheapest, and most expeditiously built. [*Document S.*] All these considerations, probably, had their influence in producing the different establishments. *2. The Size of the Ships.* It appears that the first estimate rendered to Congress, was for frigates of the common rate and dimensions, rated at 36 and 44 guns; and that the first appropriations for the armament, were founded upon this estimate. It appears also, that when their size and dimensions came to be more maturely considered, and the being had to the ships which were to be contended with, it was deemed proper to alter their dimensions, without changing their rate, as to extend their sphere of utility as much as possible. It was expected, from this alteration, that they would possess, in an eminent degree, the advantage of failing; that separately, they would be superior to any single European frigate, of the usual dimensions; that if assailed by numbers, they would be always able to lead away; that they could never be obliged to go into action, but on their own terms, except in a calm; and that in heavy weather, they would be capable of engaging double deck ships. These are the principal advantages contemplated from the change made in their dimensions. Should they be realized, they will more than compensate for having materially swelled the body of expenditures. *3. The quantity of live oak used in the Construction of the Ships.* I find that the original estimate for the frigates, was calculated upon the ground that their floor timbers, lower piece of ftem, and fore and after dead woods, were to be of white oak. Had this plan been executed, or had no live oak been employed in their construction, the expenditures would have been considerably abridged. It was thought, however, adviseable that they should be built wholly of live oak, as being in the end more economical, though in the first instance, more expensive. This opinion is well supported. Heavy ships of war, built of live oak and cedar, are unquestionably capable of sustaining much harder service and ruder shocks, and will last much longer than ships of the same size, constructed of white oak. The durability of ships built of live oak and cedar, compared with those built of the common white oak, may be estimated as 4 is to 1. Induced by such considerations, contracts were made in Georgia, for live oak, under the direction of the Treasury Department, and workmen sent thither, to cut and mould it into the requisite pieces for the frigates. Numerous and successive difficulties, great and unexpected expenses, seem to have marked the commencement and progress of this undertaking. Trees suitable for the purpose were found to be greatly dispersed, and to grow, generally, in situations from whence the pieces, after being moulded, could not be removed but by extraordinary labour. The workmen employed to cut and fashion the wood, could not bear up under the climate; some of them died, and others deserted; those were to be replaced with fresh hands. Oxen were also to be sent from hence, to assist in hauling it to landing places convenient for shipping it. Many too, of the largest live oak trees, cut down for the floor timbers, proved to be defective, after much labour had been consumed in preparing them for the places they were designed to occupy in the frigates. The effect of these, and similar circumstances, was to increase the expence of the wood, vastly beyond its original value, or estimated cost. But will not the public be always more or less exposed to like expences, if when ships are ordered to be built, the timber and other materials necessary for their construction and equipment, are to be fought for, and purchased? When every thing is then to be suddenly procured, will there not be found, in every community, too many persons ready to profit by the occasion? And who, under such circumstances, can estimate with precision, what an article will finally cost, or say with certainty, when a work can be finished? *4. The rise in the price of labour, and materials.* There can be no doubt entertained, but that the rise in the price of most, if not all the materials and labour employed in building and equipping the frigates, has added considerably to the expenditures. The rise of wages alone, between the date of the first estimate, and the time the frigates were launched, taking Philadelphia for the example, was from 9 to 15*s*. per day; the rise in wrought iron and hemp, about 40 per cent; and on freight, 100 per cent. But changes in the price of articles, which almost every person has experienced, either as an inconvenience or advantage in his private concerns, must be too well understood to stand in need of illustration. It may however, be satisfactory to the Committee to learn from the annexed document (P), that the full of the frigate United States, had been built by contract, the labour must have cost the contractor as much as it has the public. *5. Certain Losses and Contingencies.* Under this head may be comprehended, the loss of two loads of live oak in its passage from Georgia; the loss of about 50 tons of hemp, by fire in Boston; the cost of an additional wharf to ensure the safe launching of the frigate United States; the expense of building docks for the United States, to repair an injury done to her false keel and rudder braces, by striking the ground in launching; the expence occasioned by repeated trials to launch the frigate Constellation, and the expences necessary to procure for her a safe descent into the water; the expence of double freight, in removing some of the live oak and other timber, from one yard to another, to complete the three frigates; the expence incurred from some of the live oak being transported from Georgia in unsuitable vessels for such service; and from a great proportion of the timber being shipped from 20 to 40 per cent. larger than the models prescribed, upon which excess freight was to be paid. I have now concluded a brief enumeration of those causes that appear to have been most instrumental in producing the difference between the estimated and real cost of the armament. The sum composing this difference is certainly much greater than was foreseen, and proportionably enhances the expenditures. Perhaps it may not be judged irrelevant to this subject, or improper in this place, to endeavour to distinguish how much or what proportion of the expenditure, upon the armament, is fairly chargeable to the frigates that have been built. To do this, or to form a reasonable estimate of the real cost of the three frigates, it will be necessary to deduct from the actual expenditures, the amount of the following items. 1. All sums laid out in the formation and establishment of the three navy yards other than from day to day. 2. All sums expended on the superintendance and safe keeping of the materials and property remaining in their yards, since that period down to the present. 3. The amount of the pay of the captains, constructors, &c. of the ships, the building of which has been suspended. 4. The actual cost, as well of those articles that have been sold, as of those remaining on hand, after the completion of the three frigates. 5. The expences of every kind attending the procuring and tranfportation of all timber and articles not used in their construction. 6. The money expended for workmanship upon the frigates, the construction of which has been suspended. In addition to these deductions, would it be unreasonable to admit, a proportional credit to the frigates which have been built, for the use that may be made of their ways, wharves, boilers, &c. in constructing and launching other ships of the same kind; it not being customary to lay upon the first articles of a new manufactory, all the expences of the buildings and machinery employed in carrying it on. The estimates already presented and subjoined will exhibit most of these particulars, in as perfect a form as it was practicable to procure and obtain them. It would have been desirable, for the sake of a literal compliance with the resolution of the House of Representatives of the 16th of March, to have added to these, an estimate of the value of the wood and materials on hand. This however it was thought best to omit, inasmuch as it was only in my power to have rendered a conjectural valuation. As connected with this enquiry, it may be proper to refer to the course that has been pursued in procuring the materials and supplies for the armament, and the regulations under which the business was commenced and has been conducted.—This will appear from the following documents.— (QQ.) A letter from the Secretary of War to the Secretary of the Treasury, dated April the 21st, 1794, relative to the timber and materials required for the fix frigates, and the appointment of the agents necessary, &c. (R.) A letter from Tench Coxe, Commissioner of the Revenue, 22d December, 1794, respecting the arrangements made, and contracts entered into for the naval armament. (S.) A Report of the Secretary of War, made to Congress, December 24, 1794, relative to the naval armament. (T.) Letter of instructions to the agents appointed for building the frigates. (U.) Instructions to the superintendants. (W.) Instructions to the constructors. (X.) Instructions to the clerks of the yards. (Y.) A letter from the Secretary of War to the Secretary of the Treasury, dated the 6th of May 1794, specifying the conditions for a contract for cannon; with a copy of the contract. (Z.) A letter from the present Secretary of War, to the Secretary of the Treasury, dated the 13th of September 1796, respecting the conditions for a contract for cannon; with a copy of the contract. C There remains to be stated "the leading causes that have retarded the completion of the naval armament beyond the several periods mentioned in the estimates submitted to the House of Representatives." The law to provide the naval armament, passed the 21st of April 1794. It has been observed, that the United States were at that time wholly unprepared to execute with rapidity such a measure. Every thing was to be purchased and prepared. It appears, that the person chosen to superintend the cutting of the live oak in Georgia, did not begin to Philadelphia upon that business in June 1794. That the first season was nearly spent in making preparations for commencing to cut, and the land where the trees grew so inundated during two other seasons, as to leave but little time for the workmen to operate. In short, almost every kind of obstruction of an expensive and procrastinating nature, attached itself to this undertaking. The last load of live oak necessary to complete the frame of the frigate United States, did not arrive at the port of Philadelphia until the last of July 1796; several pieces for other parts of the ship, not for a considerable time after; and the mails in particular, from failures in contracts, were not received before the middle of June 1797. The yellow fever soon after making its appearance, suspended her final completion. The frame of the frigate Constellation, did not get into the yard at Baltimore until the latter end of October 1796. In November following, the weather setting in extremely severe, little work could be done before the month of March 1797. In September after, she was launched; the yellow fever discovered itself, and interrupted the work until the middle of October, when the closing up of the river by the ice, prevented her leaving the Patapsico, to be equipped for sea. Similar delays were experienced in obtaining the live oak for the construction of the frigate Constitution; the last load which did not arrive at Boston, before some time in December 1796. But besides the want of wood, another circumstance interned, as it were, its completion, the yellow fever (Ab,) which prevented her being launched before the 21st of October 1797. Further, it may be proper to mention—that anchors and a number of other articles, which have been contracted for since as the year 1794, or directed to be procured, have not yet been obtained or delivered. That of three contracts for cannon, two of which were concluded in the year 1794, and the other in 1797; one only has been complied with. That four cannon of the armament; one of the contracts made in 1794, and appropriated for the ship United States, have been brought to Philadelphia, and found not to correspond with the conditions of the contract, notwithstanding they had been proved, examined and passed, by an experienced agent. It is, Sir, to these various causes that we are to ascribe the delays which have attracted the attention of Congress, and retarded to this time the completion of the frigates. The frigates are now nearly finished, and from the best judgment that can be formed respecting them, promise to prove the most complete of their kind that have appeared on the ocean; and such as would do credit to the most skillful seamen, of countries more experienced in naval architecture than ours. In offering this remark it is not meant to insinuate, either that they are without defects, or that the arrangements under which they have been built, are perfect, or that a better system could have been contrived. In all human plans or superstructures, after-wisdom can always discover something to be corrected, or something that might have been executed better. Before closing this letter, permit me to use the opportunity it presents, to suggest a few observations connected with its subject. The great delay that has occurred in the present undertaking, must always be more or less experienced, when heavy ships of war are required to be suddenly built, and the government not previously possessed of the necessary timber and materials. It is certainly an unfit time to look for these, and prepare a navy yard, when the ships are required for actual service. It is not to be expected that the large pieces of heavy timber suitable for ships of war, will be found at market, or accumulated in private magazines for sale, when wanted on pressing occasions. Do not these circumstances point to the expediency of a legislative provision, commensurate to so important an object? This is combined with a measure of this kind, another, essential to its due execution, and therefore deserving of consideration. If the United States contemplate an arrangement for gradually providing a naval protection to their commerce, suitable to the resources of the country, and its relative situation with foreign powers, the marine business, in such a case, ought to be separated from the Department of War, or the Department of War enabled, by proper institutions, to conduct it in a manner more conformable to the practice of other nations. The statements and documents necessary to this communication, have kept it from the Committee much longer than was intended. Should these be still incomplete, or other statements or documents wanted, to satisfy the enquiry, I solicit information, that they may be furnished as soon as possible. *I have the honor to be,* *With the greatest respect,* *Sir,* *Your obedient servant,* JAMES M^cHENRY. *The Hon.* Edward Livingston, *Esq.* *Chairman of the Committee.* --- (G.) *A summary Statement of Monies received by the several* Naval Agents, *and others; and of their expenditures in the purchase of materials, and in building Ships of War, from the institution of the navy to the 1*st *January 1797.* | Amount of monies paid under the head of Naval Department, as per printed public accounts for 1794, page 55. | 61,408 97 | | |---|---|---| | Do. for 1795, p. 47. | 410,562 03 | | | Do. for 1796, p. 56. | 374,784 04 | | | | 646,755 04 | | | Payments made or credits pulled in the Treasury books, in the year 1797, on account of expenditures under the head of Naval Department, from 18 January 1794, to 18 January 1797. | 12,759 12 | | | Transferred from the Statement of expenditures under the head of Military Establishment, from 18 January 1794, to 18 January 1797, the same being accounted for in the Naval Department. | 17,101 75 | | | *Dollars,* | 776,615 91 | | | Amount of expenditures in the Naval Department, to 18 January 1797, as per Statement (H.) | 431,733 03 | | |---|---|---| | Transferred to the Statement of expenditures under the head of Military Establishment, from 18 January 1794, to 18 January 1797, the same being accounted for the | | | | Balances which remained to be accounted for, according to the books and records of this office, on 18 January 1797. | 250 01 | | | | | 344,632 87 | | *Dollars,* | | 776,615 91 | Treasury Department, Register's-Office, *Jan.* 19, 1798. JOSEPH NOURSE, Register. --- (H.) *Abstract of the accounts of Naval Agents, exhibiting (as far as their accounts have been settled at the Treasury) their several expenditures towards building Ships of War, from the institution of the Navy to the 1*st *of January 1797.* | AGENTS. | EXPENDITURES. | Dolls. Cts. | |---|---|---| | John Blagge, Naval Agent, New-York. | His account commencing 24th September 1794, and ending the 30th Sept. 1796, settled at the Treasury 18th Sept. 1797, No. 9102, states, that during said period he disbursed in the purchase of materials, the hire of labour (including the salary of the clerk of the yard, up to the 10th March 1796) with his commission thereon, the sum of | 32,827 82 | | Nicholas Fish, Naval Agent, New-York. | He expended as per Treasury statement, No. 6533, in the purchase of 135 barrels of beef and 90 barrels of pork, shipped by him to the care of John Harberham, Esq. at Savannah, for the use of the people employed in Georgia, in cutting timber for the frigates, | 2971 11 | | | His commission thereon, at 1 per cent. | 29 71 | | | | 3,000 82 | | Carried forward, | | 35,828 64 | | AGENTS. | EXPENDITURES. | Dolls. Cts. | |---|---|---| | | *Brought forward,* | 35,828 64 | | Gurney and Smith, Naval Agents, Philadelphia. | Their account commencing on the 23d July 1794, and ending the 20th October 1795, settled at the Treasury the 19th of December 1795, No. 7403, states that they expended during the aforesaid period for materials and labour for the frigate building at Philadelphia, including the freight of four cargoes of timber from Georgia, and the expense of erecting a mould-loft and temporary counting-house, for the ship yard, &c. including their commission thereon at 2½ per cent. | 25,839 70 | | Gardner and Olden, Naval Agents, Philadelphia. | The amount of their account settled at the Treasury the 6th May 1796, No. 7909, being for a quantity of kentledge delivered the commissary of military stores, in September 1795. | 268 90 | | John Habersham, Agent in Georgia. | For so much paid by him for materials and sundry contingent expences, from 26th July 1794 to the 30th September 1795, as per account settled at the Treasury, No. 7642. | 4,522 55 | | Jedidiah Huntington, Agent for procuring supplies. | For the amount of disbursements made by him for wages of sundry carpenters and axe-men, employed for the purpose of cutting timber for the frigates, provisions for their use, including sundry expences in getting them home, medical assistance, &c. from September 1794 to September 1795, as per account settled at the Treasury the 24th September 1795, No. 7192. | | | Henry Jackson, Agent at Boston. | The amount of his disbursements from 6th August 1794 to 31st March 1797, in the purchase of materials, hire of carpenters, labourers, &c. for the frigate building at the said port, including his commission, as per account settled at the Treasury the 18th July 1797, No. 8985. | 109,830 97 | | | For the amount of the sundries shipped to the island of St. Simons, in the state of Georgia, for the use of the wood-cutters, including his commissions, as per Treasury statement, No. 8985, | 1,100 49 | | | | 110,931 46 | | | Deduct the estimated amount of expenditures from 1st January to 31st March 1797, | 13,931 46 | | | | 97,000 | | | Leaves the amount paid to said agent in the years 1794, 1795 and 1796, | 33,500 | | Carried forward, | | 209,739 05 | | AGENTS. | EXPENDITURES. | Dolls. Cts. | |---|---|---| | | *Brought forward,* | 209,739 05 | | Samuel Meredith, Treasurer of the United States. | Accounted for by the statement of the War Department, under the head of Naval Establishment, the expenditures whereof are included in the sum of *Dolls.* 43,691 1½ | | | William Pennock, Naval Agent at Norfolk. | For amount of sundry sums disbursed by him from 1st September 1794 to 31st May 1795, in the purchase of materials, hire of labourers, for provisions and contingencies for the frigate building at said port, as per Treasury settlement No. 7109. | 11,576 28 | | | For the amount of his said disbursements from 1st June 1795 to November following, as per Treasury statement No. 7605. | 9,718 39 | | | For ditto from 1st December 1795 to 31st of the same month, as per ditto, No. 9101, | 6,034 31 | | | | 27,328 98 | | Proprietors of the Sail Cloth Manufactory at Boston. | For the cost of 1545 pieces of fail cloth, containing 61,375½ yards, delivered to Henry Jackson, Naval Agent at Boston, from 23d January 1795 to 23d December following, agreeably to contract entered into by Samuel Breck, agent for said proprietors, on 1st January 1795, as per statement at the Treasury, No. 7567, dated 26th of January 1796. | 22,354 07 | | Sl. & Joseph Sterrett, Naval Agents at Baltimore. | It appears by their account settled at the Treasury, the 28th December 1795, No. 7415, that they disbursed from the 1st of September 1794 to the 30th September 1795, in the purchase of materials and hire of labourers, for the frigate building at that port, including their commission, 26,398 39 | | | | to the 31st March 1796, they disbursed for the hire of labourers and purchase of materials, as per Treasury statement, No. 8236. | 12,479 60 | | | From the 1st of April 1796 to the 30th September following, they disbursed for the like purposes, as per Treasury statement, No. 8377, | 52,312 77 | | | From the 1st October 1796 to 31st December following, they disbursed for the like purposes, per Treasury statement No. 9011, | 22,754 38 | | | | 113,645 14 | | Carried forward, | | 373,672 24 | | AGENTS. | EXPENDITURES. | Dolls. Cts. | |---|---|---| | | *Brought forward,* | 373,672 24 | | Jacob Sheafe, Naval Agent at Portsmouth, New-Hampshire. | It appears by his account settled at the Treasury the 11th June 1795, No. 6866, that he disbursed from the 25th Sept. 1794 to the 30th April 1795 for men and labour for the frigate building at that port, including his commission, | 5,913 54 | | | From the 1st May 1795 to 31st July following, ditto, in building said frigate, and for charter, freight and demurrage of vessels, and passage of 67 wood-cutters from St. Simons, in the state of Georgia, as per account settled at the Treasury the 19th Sept. 1795, No. 7187. | 12,822 10 | | | From 1st August 1795 to 31st December following, in building said frigate, as per account settled at the Treasury the 29th February 1796, No. 7641. | 5,126 46 | | | From 1st January 1796 to the 30th June 1796, for the like purpose, as per account settled at the Treasury the 29th August 1796, No. 8190. | 5,801 92 | | | From 1st July 1796 to 31st December following, as per account ditto, the 29th June 1797, No. 8976. | 6,888 66 | | | For cost and freight of hay, shipped to Georgia, as per ditto, ditto, | 759 24 | | | | 37,311 92 | | Solomon Townsend, Contractor for supplying anchors for the frigates. | For cost of fix anchors made by him, per certificate of the Purveyor of Public Supplies, for the use of the frigates Constellation and Constitution, as per settlement made at the Treasury the 26th December 1797, No. 9341. | 4,252 12 | | *Expenditures transferred from Military Establishment, viz.* | | | | By Tench Francis, Agent for the purchase of Public Supplies. | For an expenditure in the naval department, with monies charged to the appropriation for the military establishment, as per Treasury settlement, No. 8567, | 190 80 | | By Brown, Francis and others—Owners of the furnace Hope. | For cost of 59 cannon, carrying a shot of 24 pounds each, furnished for the frigates under a contract of 8th August 1794, as per Treasury statement, No. 8961, | 16,910 95 | | | | 17,101 75 | | | | 431,733 03 | | Treasury Department, Register's-Office, *Jan.* 19, 1798. *Extracted from the Records.* JOSEPH NOURSE, Register. | | | --- (I.) *A Statement of the several sums which remained to be accounted for, of monies advanced from the institution of the Navy to the 1*st *January 1797, as stated from the records and books of the Treasury.* | AGENTS. | EXPENDITURES. | BALANCES. | REMARKS. | |---|---|---|---| | John Blagge, Naval Agent New-York. | A balance was stated at the Treasury to be due by him on the 18 Oct. 1796, as per Treasury Statement, No. 9102. | Dolls. Cts. 1,272 | | | | He received on 21st Dec. 1795, warrant, No. 6735, | 1,000 | | | | | 2,172 | | | Jos. Copperthwaite, Agent for procuring timber in Georgia. | This debit arises on the settlement at the Treasury, of an account of John Habersham, agent for procuring timber in Georgia, No. 7642, being the amount of sundry sums paid to him and to his orders, from the month of April to 20th September 1795. | | | | | A remittance of 2,000*l.* Sterling, made by the Treasurer of the United States in 1795, by order of the Secretary of the Treasury, to be by the said Charge d'Affaires, paid over to Bird, Savage and Bird, merchants, in London, for the purchase of bunting, halse, ship's hearths, and anchors for the frigates, held accountable in the Treasury books. | 18,556 69 | He also received from the Purveyor of Public Supplies, the sum of 47,160 84, which will be embraced in the settlement of the Purveyor's accounts. | | William A. Dean, Late Charge d'Affaires of the United States, London. | | 11,786 66 | Messrs. Bird, Savage and Bird, acknowledge the receipt of this remittance, in an account rendered to the Treasury, but not yet settled. | | Nicholas Fish, Agent at New-York. | This balance is due by him as per Treasury Statement, No. 7921. | 49 17 | | | Tench Francis, Purveyor of Public Supplies. | Amount of monies advanced in the year 1795. 64,400 | | | | | ditto, 1796. 17,000 | | | | | Gurney and Smith, naval agent, on the settlement of their account, No. 7403, gave a credit for monies advanced by them to John Snyder and William Clifton & Son, for which Tench Francis, as purveyor, is held accountable in the Treasury books. | 2,775 | | | | | 188,175 | | | John T. Morgan, Superintendant of the wood-cutters in Georgia. | He received at the Treasury, in the year 1795. 600 He received of John Habersham, agent in Georgia, sundry sums paid to him, and to his orders, from the 26th July 1794 to 20th Sept. 1795, per account, No. 7642, settled at the Treasury. | 8,058 50 | | | Thos. Pinckney, Esq. late Minister of the United States, at London. | This sum was remitted in bills of exchange, by the Treasurer of the United States, for the purchase of certain articles for the frigates, | 100,800 | | | William Pennock, Naval Agent at Norfolk. | A balance was stated to be due by him to the United States, on the 31st December 1796, as per Treasury Statement, No. 9102. The Treasury balance, July 28, 1797, is stated, 2,161 02 deduct a warrant issued the 15th March 1797, | | | | | As above, | 1,000 | | | | | 1,161 02 | | | Sl. & Joseph Sterrett, Naval Agents at Baltimore. | Balance due by them on the 31st December 1796, as per settlement at the Treasury, No. 9011. | 11,945 75 | | | Jacob Sheafe, Naval Agent at Portsmouth, New-Hampshire. | Balance due by him on 31st December 1796, as per ditto, No. 8976. | 688 08 | Accounted for in the year 1797. Cloaks 366 12 dols. were accounted for in the year 1797. | | Daniel Steyens, Agent for procuring materials for the Naval Department. | Advanced the 31st December 1794, for the purchase of materials for the naval department, | 500 | | | *Dollars,* | | 344,632 87 | | | Treasury Department, Register's-Office, *Jan.* 19, 1798. Extract from the Records. JOSEPH NOURSE, Register. | | | |