Secretary of War Henry Knox forwards Joshua Humphrey's estimate of the probable costs of timber for a ship of 44 guns to the Secretary of Treasury Alexander Hamilton. Estimate includes costs and dimensions of white oak, pine, red cedar, live oak. Included in this document is a list from Thomas Penrose of French and British warships with information on number of guns, length of gundeck, other dimensions, where and when launched. Those ships are to be constructed to sail fast, hold a good wind, carry a taut sail and draw little water.