Information on and estimate of timber, planks, copper for 36 gun frigates. Knox informs Hamilton that the President of United States has decided that the frigates will be built at Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Portsmouth Virginia, Charleston South Carolina. Knox discusses procurement of live oak, which can be found on the offshore islands of Georgia and some in North Carolina. He notes that there are multiple opinions on the means to obtain the oak and cedar and bring it to port. Knox then discusses the recommendation to construct moulds for the ships on the offshore islands of Georgia. Discusses sending men from the north to cut the timber. He notes that his sources tell him any contracts in Georgia and southward will be executed by negroes and that their indolence and carelessness will inevitably produce disappointment or loss. Knox points out that during the Revolutionary War, timber was procured at Kilkenny and Sunbury Georgia and transported from the Savannah River for construction of 74 gun ships. Discusses workers and possibility of wage hikes and the challenges of assigning ship building contracts in the area. Discusses the shipbuilders of Philadelphia and the likelihood that they will be able to accept ship building contract. Notes that the President of United States George Washington has approved the use of agents for ship construction, presumably working under the Department of Treasury.