Pittsburg 5^th April 1799— Sir: I have considered it my duty to inform you that the Gallery Scow boat has lately been launched, and is now rigged, and will in a few days be completely equipt for the Mississippi — She is now at Anchor in the Monongahela, a boat of this form, and as certainly a fine piece of Naval Architecture, and which I am confident will far exceed any thing the Spaniards can shew on the Mississippi — Pilot is now the most favourable. Season for her to descend the river, and as I feel solicitous for her Safety, I have presumed to request Capt Buchanan for her going forward as early as possible — to note pass the rapids of Ohio in this month — Should she be not forward — Shortly, it will be necessary to know immediately who is to take charge of her and in what manner she is to be manned — Capt Barlett Bullitt seems to be the person expected to have taken charge of her but he one says it is perfectly well to entrust to other duty — at present she is taken care of by a Mr. Clinton Butler, formerly a Ship Carpenter, having any Mate of a Ship and is an excellent [undecipherable] Boyer, which is to be secured by completing the [undecipherable] rigging &c of the Gallery in the neatest and best manner — He has being kept as the [undecipherable] engaged at twenty dollars per M^o 18 Dollars per day as means continues — I trust the Gallery provided accompaniments was fixed adequate to the season, which he says ought to be thirty dollars per month — I see where — Boatmen can be hired at from — twelve to fifteen dollars for the most [undecipherable] to note require twelve — [undecipherable] to M^r Butler to navigate the Gallery safely to the — [undecipherable] — I [undecipherable] of which the Arrival of That [undecipherable] is considerable — [undecipherable] part of [undecipherable] that he never [undecipherable] to have it will transpire — [undecipherable] that the [undecipherable] [undecipherable] all some appearing necessary or other season assist [undecipherable] to preserve the [undecipherable] — to man the [undecipherable] it may require eighteen hundred White oak planks which will cost thirty cents each — I am Sir your obed^t Serv^t Hon. James W. Henry S. C. Secretary of War &c