Philadelphia 1t Decr. 1776
Sir,
The Congress having resolved immediately to undertake the building of two Ships of War of 36 guns each in Virginia, I am directed by the Marine Committee to apply to some proper person in that State to superintend the business.1 You Sir have been recommended so strongly to me by Gen. Stephen and others, as a person of great fitness for this business; and not doubting but that you may comply with this, altho you are the same way employed by our Government, I do in the name of that Committee request you will, taking the advice of the Navy board in Virginia, determine on the most safe, and in other respects most fit place or places to put these ships upon the Stocks at.2 Safety against the enemy is a very necessary object, and proper water for Launching. Convenience for getting proper timber you will consider. I suppose it will be no objection if both these Vessels are put upon the Stocks at the same place but in determining on the place or places, not private or local but public considerations alone are to govern. A Master Builder with 4 or 6 Workmen will soon go from hence to Virginia for this business, and I have no doubt a sufficiency of other workmen will be to be had in that state to carry on the work briskly. The Builder desires that the Trees may be immediately felled whilst the Sap is down, that a quantity of Locust Trunnels be split 1 1/2 inches, and in length from 18 to 30 inches. That Sawyers be employed to get up plank (white oak) of 3 1/2 inches. These things and whatever else may be immediately necessary for the right pursuit of this business you will take care to have done, and your drafts for the expence created by the same, on the Chairman of the Marine Committee of Congress, shall be duely honored. One or more Associates will be joined with you in this Agency, but for the present you will singly do what is necessary, and for your trouble you will be liberally compensated by Congress. The Board of Assistants are directed to prepare a proper draught of these Ships which shall be forwarded to you when ready. Let me have your answer to this letter by return of Post.
I am Sir you most humble servant,
Richard Henry Lee
Receiver's copy, owned by C. Stribling Snodgrass (1973), Leesburg, Va.
1 See the November 20 resolve in JCC, 6:970.
2 James Maxwell, (1735 - 95), of Norfolk, Va., was a captain in the Virginia navy, commissioner of the Virginia navy board, and superintendent of the Virginia navy yard. William Maxwell, "My Mother," The Lower Norfolk County Virginia Antiquary 3 (1901): 46n. Upon Maxwell's recommendation, the Virginia navy board ordered the Continental frigates to be built at Gosport. Morgan, Naval Documents, 7:1065 - 6.