Gentlemen

I was notified by Colo. [Oliver] Wolcott of the resolve of Congress of the 23d January and your resolve upon the same of the 28th of January, directing Colo Wolcott to empower me with my Council, to determine the places where the two Frigates, ordered to be undertaken in this State, should be built, and to appoint proper persons to superintend and execute the business, which I have communicated to my Council, and, by their advice, have ordered that the 36 Gun Frigate be built at Norwich on Norwich River, and the 28 Gun Frigate at Chatham, on Connecticut River, and have appointed Capt Joshua Huntington of Norwich to superintend the building the 36, and Capt John Cotton of Middletown to superintend the building the 28 G.un Frigate, and as the season ,is at present peculiarly opportune, have advised them to procure the timber to be cut without delay, I need not suggest the expediency of their receiving early instructions for their government in prosecuting the business, and such sums of money as will be necessary to put it forward, and am Gentlemen with great Respect [&c.]