On these observations, it was not for me to reply. But his at that 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 [undecipherable], always Scarce and indolent, living at [a] higher [undecipherable] price than in the other parts of the United States & [undecipherable] this [undecipherable] was preparing — that part [undecipherable] the [undecipherable] Called [undecipherable] Point, in [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] and [undecipherable] [undecipherable]. His master builder [undecipherable] [undecipherable] to make the most of the job, as he early declared, to [undecipherable] never build and other [undecipherable] after Completing the frigate. Thus [undecipherable] came early disgusted both almost ever on [undecipherable] in the [undecipherable] in his quarter, and [undecipherable] his predecessors and [undecipherable] with him from the commencement of the [undecipherable] [undecipherable] up to the [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] finding [undecipherable] it is really [undecipherable] [undecipherable] to [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] in the policy vested in the [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] in building this vessel, and have his [undecipherable] Now before me. he declined to acquiesce in the principles of not allowing the original arrangement of Gen. Knox as he understood him [undecipherable], which perhaps in the then State of things he was prudent in adhering to — [undecipherable] it would be of No [undecipherable] [undecipherable] use for me to dwell long on this Subject, or to write a lengthy epistle — I will only say, I have by a [undecipherable] Conduct and independent Spirit saved thousands to the United States and [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] have never touched a Shilling of the public money, [undecipherable] any advantage from the building of this Ship: but have made great [undecipherable] of my [undecipherable] — & have Spent Much Money in attending [undecipherable] years [undecipherable] there a [undecipherable] on her; and as a Commander only; but as a director to the arrangements for the [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] and every other [undecipherable]. For [undecipherable] they were alike ignorant of such [undecipherable]; the otherwise good [undecipherable] — The Agent, however, he or his [undecipherable] or others [undecipherable] [undecipherable] may Suppose; [undecipherable] out; I may have, or may [undecipherable] [Philad^a 11 Nov. 1798] [John M. Kee] The Honorable James M^cHenry Esq^r Secretary of War.