[Thos [undecipherable]] [20 May. 1798] Baltimore 20 May, 1798 Under a blank Cover but after it was forwarded to you under your [undecipherable], the last vessel brought out your letter and documents directed to [undecipherable] Chairman of the Committee appointed by the house of Representatives to enquire into the expenditure of the Naval Appropriation and justified by order of that house — at the [undecipherable] cost of the three frigates then [undecipherable] was not ascertained. The [undecipherable] were published. [undecipherable] were honorably terminated on account of the [undecipherable] [undecipherable] the [undecipherable] has been [undecipherable] to forward [undecipherable] — the Arrangements [undecipherable] Tons, [undecipherable] and built here, would cost an immense Sum of money. Previous to any Step being taken towards making [undecipherable] for laying the keel of the Constitution, stated to General Knox that it was my Opinion, None of the Ships contemplated by the Act of 1794 for providing a Naval Armament, ought to be built to the [undecipherable: probable Northward] of Philadelphia in giving that Opinion I considered the Interest of the United States alone, without any local consideration. [The?] [President?] received my [undecipherable] with politeness & thanked me for my attention, Observing at the same time that he himself was not conversant in [undecipherable] affairs, [undecipherable] was under a belief that the Ships built to the [Southward?] would cost [undecipherable] More than the others [undecipherable]. The President was willing to [undecipherable] his [undecipherable] [undecipherable] to ascertain where they could in fact be built and [equipped?] on the most [Advantaged?] terms and that another Object [undecipherable] a point of policy to have [undecipherable] — [undecipherable] & to [undecipherable] had no Apprehension from [undecipherable] throughout the Union On these Observations, it was not for me to reply, but as he at that time after [undecipherable] here, I was more than ever confirmed in my Opinion, of the [undecipherable: probable ineligibility] of this place, and regretted that it fell to my lot to be [undecipherable] here. I found no choice of Laborers; a [undecipherable] and [undecipherable] in every [undecipherable] a higher in [undecipherable] than in the other parts of the United States [undecipherable] this. [undecipherable] were preparing — that part of the City Called [undecipherable] Point [undecipherable] [Composition?] & [undecipherable]. The [Master?] [Builder?] determined to make the most of the Job, as he early [declared?] & needed never to build another [vessel?] after Completing the frigate. Thus [undecipherable] [undecipherable] she early [undecipherable] both almost [undecipherable] in the [undecipherable] in his [undecipherable] and with [undecipherable] from the [undecipherable] — [undecipherable] of the [undecipherable] [undecipherable] to [undecipherable] — [undecipherable] it really [undecipherable] to M^r [Pickering?] [undecipherable] an alteration in the [undecipherable] voted in the [undecipherable] — [undecipherable] in building this vessel, and have his answer. Now before me. to [decline?] to [acquiesce?], on the principle. If not [allowing?] the original [arrangement?] of Gen^l Knox as [undecipherable] the [undecipherable] [Directions?] [undecipherable] which perhaps in the [undecipherable] of things he was prudent in adhering to — [undecipherable] It would be of No use for me to dwell long on this Subject, or to write a lengthy Epistle — I will only say, I have by a [Candid?] Conduct and [independent?] [undecipherable] saved thousands to the United States & [undecipherable] [undecipherable]. I have never [undecipherable] a Shilling of the [fictitious?] money, or derived any advantage from the building of this Ship; but have made great [Sacrifices?] of my [undecipherable] — to have Spent Much Money in attending [four?] years, more than a few Weeks on her; not as a Commander only but as a director to the arrangements for the [Carpenter?] [Rigger?] [Joiner?] and every other [Tradesman?] — for [undecipherable] they were either [undecipherable] of such business; the otherwise [undecipherable] [undecipherable] — The Agent, however he or his brother or Others of his [undecipherable] [Kinds?] may Suppose [undecipherable] [Kept?] [undecipherable] here or was [undecipherable] in [undecipherable] [undecipherable]