[Endorsed: Copy of a letter to the Sec^y of War] [MS in Barnes Collection, Naval History Society Collection, New York Historical Society (printed in Griffin's Commodore John Barry, 4to — illustrated, facing p. 124)] Sir — [strikethrough: I have] I had the honor this morning to receive your favor of yesterdays date in answer to it I beg leave to inform you that it is not possible to mount more than [strikethrough: two or fourteen] [undecipherable: twelve or fifteen] guns in two days and should you send the Frigate to sea without her been properly maned agrict I will not be [strikethrough: answerable] [undecipherable: answerable] and to compleat her in [strikethrough: the best] manner it will take fifteen days with all the exertions that can be used but if thing is conducted in the manner the have been hitherto it will take thirty or forty I am with Esteem — Sir your Obt. Hum^ble Ser^t — John Barry