[Thos Truxtun / 20 May 1798] Baltimore 20 May 1798 Under a blank Cover but this was forwarded by your order for my perusal, the last mail brought me your letter and documents Addressed to M^r Livingston Chairman of the Committee appointed by the House of Representatives to inquire into, the expenditures of the Naval Appropriations and justified by order of that House — altho' the Cost of the three frigates their Separately, was not ascertained the papers were published, Nor perhaps were accurately estimated on Account of the Mismanagement that the business has been handled by so many persons [undecipherable] the Arrangements [undecipherable] hitherto anticipated, one built here, would cost an immense Sum of money. Previous to any Step being taken towards organizing preparations for laying the keel of the Constellation, I stated to General Knox that it was my Opinion, None of the Ships Contemplated by the act of 1794 for provideing an Naval Armament, ought to be built to the Southward of Philadelphia — in giving that Opinion I considered the Interest of the United States alone, without any local consideration whatever. The Sec^d received my Communication with politeness & thanked me for my attention, Observing at the same time that the He himself was not conversant in Marine Affairs, he was under a belief that the Ships built to the Southward would cost 25 [undecipherable] More than the others but that the President was willing to make an experiment, in order to ascertain where they could be built and equip'd on the most favourable terms, and that another Object was in point of policy, to harmonize and [undecipherable] the [undecipherable] to be Spent in the [undecipherable] more generally throughout the union On these Observations, it was not for me to reply, but in a Short time after I came here, I was more than ever confirmed in my Opinion of the ineligibility of this place, and regretted that it fell to my lot to be [undecipherable] here. I found No Choice of Artificers, labourers Scarce and indolent, every Article higher in point of price than in the other parts of the United States [undecipherable] they were preparing. That part of the City Called Fells point, in point of Imposition & Second [undecipherable]. The Master builder determined to make the most of the Job, as he early declared he would never build another [undecipherable] after Completing the frigate. Thus Circumstanced I became early disgusted with almost every one engaged in the business in this quarter, and wrote your predecessors and [undecipherable] with Candor from the Commencement of the business, up to [undecipherable] [undecipherable] Stating every thing as it really was, and to M^r Pickering, I proposed an alteration in the powers vested in the parties concerned in building this vessel, and have his answer Now before me. He declined to acquiesce, on the principle of not altering the original Arrangement of Gen^l Knox as I understood him afterwards, which perhaps in the then State of things he was prudent in adhering to — It would be of No Sort of use for me to dwell Long on this Subject, or to write a lengthy Epistle — I will only Say, I have by a decided Conduct and independent Spirit, Saved thousands to the United States here, and I thank God I have Never touched a Shilling of the public money, or derived any advantage from the Building of this Ship; but have made great Sacrifices of my time, & have Spent much money in attending four years, within a few Weeks on her, tho' not as a Commander only but as a director to the arrangements for the Carpenter, Rigger, Joiner and every Other Tradesman, for they were alike ignorant of Such business; tho' otherwise good Tradesmen — The Agent, however, he or his brother or Others of their friends may Suppose, I have [been?] [undecipherable] of may have, or was [undecipherable] [in matters of accounts] in giving my Opinion, as decidedly as I have done [undecipherable] Notwithstanding, I decided to tell to him in plain terms, when I discovered an indifference as I thought, in checking with promptness the evident impositions of most or all of the Tradesmen. Many Charges submitted I have often told him he ought not to admit, in Some instances he may have taken my advice, in others I believe he has not, for as I do Not See his Vouchers, I do not know, and if he Has not I cannot help it; but however [undecipherable] it may be from his [undecipherable] and Inexperience, I am under a [firm?] belief he is a very upright honest Young Man — as I have Constantly Stated every thing of Moment respecting this frigate and her materials [undecipherable] the expense of building and equipping her [undecipherable] I must beg leave once & for the last time in all probability to inform You That the great quantity of materials in this [Yard?] [undecipherable] will be Totally ruined, if left exposed to the [Sun:?] & if they are moved, the expence will be enormous, in fact Sir the Salary of M^r [undecipherable], and the rent of Stoddert's Yard, with what will be [undecipherable] in the Course of a Year or two, will leave little for the United States to Calculate on receiving [undecipherable]. And again, [if?] in the final Settlement of M^r Stoddert's account with the Agent, Care is not taken by proper precaution and advice to M^r [undecipherable], Charges will be admitted that ought not to be and Credits omitted that ought to be given through the management of Stoddert and the easy disposition of the other. Stoddert owes the United States for Iron nails and he now demands £50 for the use of [an?] old [undecipherable] Shop, which he told me at the time [—] in presence of the Clerk & others that the United States was welcome [to it?] without any Charge whatever. [undecipherable] The Salary of Stoddert I Suppose was Continued, one quarter after the first [undecipherable] last, as we have not employed him. More than that time. I mention these Circumstances merely to give you [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [1 148] and as the [undecipherable] to Stoddert has not been of that Nature, that [undecipherable] to receive further Conversation — altho' this is a very improper place for building large vessels, the Tradesmen here [undecipherable] the finest shaped and easiest [undecipherable] vessels, built in [America?] — I have but [undecipherable] Set down twelve Men, and leave this tomorrow to the Ship [Yard?]. I have the honor to be &c. with great respect Your most Ob^t & [undecipherable] Thomas Truxtun [undecipherable] [Sec^y of War?] [50180]