Let a dockyard be established at the most convenient and defensible Part, within the four Eastern States, let another be established at a proper Place within the five middle States, and a third at a proper Place within the four Southern States, let the Navy be formed into three divisions, one Squadron to Rendezvous at each dockyard. Let a principal Commissioner, a Surveyor, a Treasurer, and Deputies if necessary, with Clerks, and Storekeepers &ca be appointed for each Dockyard. Let it be the duty of the Commissioners to superintend the Building, Repair, Alteration, Victualling, Payment, and outfit of all Ships of War, let it be their duty to Provide and have in constant readiness sufficient Quantities of Provision, Anchors, Cables, Masts, Yards, Sails, Rigging, Warlike and Naval Stores, Slops and all manner of Articles which are necessary for the speedy Equipment of Ships of War, let it be their duty to examine Warrant Officers and to recommend them to the Board of Admiralty, let it also be their duty to inspect into the State and condition of each Ship as soon as she arrives in Port, and to call the Warrant Officers to account for the Expenditure of the Stores in their respective departments; these Officers ought to Make good all Wastage or Embezzlement. Let it be the duty of any Continental Agent to import such Articles as the Commissioners may direct for the use of the Navy, let it be their duty to supply Ships of War when in Ports at a distance from the dockyards with such Stores and Articles as may be wanted, to enable the Agent to do this with convenience and dispatch, let them have in constant readiness at some of the best Outports certain Quantities of such Articles as the Commissioners may judge necessary, let it also be the duty of any Agents to muster the Ships company when in Port, and make return to the Commissioriers on Oath. Let all the Commissioners meet at Philadelphia and hold a general Conference, once a year, leaving deputies, or Clerks, to carry on the Business in their absence, let it then be their duty to settle all Accts with the Board of Admiralty, or such Person, or Persons as the board shall think fit to appoint to whom they are always to be accountable for every part of their Conduct, let it be their duty to lay before the Board, or whom the Board may appoint, the true State and Condition of each Ship, of each Dockyard, and of all Stores, to point out past Errors, and future Improvements in the construction of Ships, Drydocks, Stocks, &ca to suggest necessary institutions in the Marine department, and to furnish hints to form a clear line of duty for each of the Navy warrant Officers.
The principal Commissioner ought to be a steady Man of Business, a Seaman, and compleat Mechanic well skilled in all respects in the construction and equipment of Ships of War, it will naturally be his duty to inspect the Conduct of the Surveyor and Treasurer.
The Surveyor, ought to be a Shipwright, a Man of great Activity, and of sound Judgement well acquainted with the Qualities and Properties of Ships of War, as well as all their materials and Stores.
The Treasurer, ought to be a Man of Business, and a complete Merchant, the Purchase of Provisions and of Slops, &ca as well as the Payment of the Men might fall under his direction.
The Authority, of the Commissioners must by no means extend to the destination of Ships or their internal Government it being their Province only to keep the Navy in fit Order for Sea service and it being the Province of Commanders in the Navy to govern their Ships according to the Rules and Regulations established by the supreme Power of Congress, and to follow the Instructions which they may Receive from the board of Admiralty, or their deputies, or from Senior or Flag Officers, consequently commanders of Squadrons or of single Ships have a right to call on the Commissioners or Agents for supplies whenever they are in want of them, being always accountable to Senior Officers in their division for their Conduct, but more especially so to the Board of Admiralty.
As the extent of the Continent is so great that the most advantageous Enterprize may be lost before Orders can arrive within the eastern and Southern districts from the board of Admiralty it will perhaps be expedient to appoint deputies for executing the Office of High Admiral, within these extreme districts, to continue in Office only during Pleasure and at all times accountable to the Board of Admiralty. Perhaps one deputy to the Eastward and another to the Southward may be found equal to the Business, but the number in each department ought not to exceed three, they ought to be Men of inviolable Secrecy, who inherit much discernment and Segacity, and are endowed with consummate Knowledge in Marine Affairs; besides pointing out proper Services for single Ships, and for Squadrons, it may be the duty of the deputies with the assistance of three or more of the most .Judicious commanders of the Fleet who may be named by the board of Admiralty to examine the abilities of Men who apply for Commissions, and make report to the Board, also to examine divers Persons who now bear Commissions in the Service, and whoe's Abilities and accomplishments are very suspicious and uncertain, the board may do the same within the middle district, and by this means the Navy will at a Period not far distant be Officere'd by Gentlemen and0 Men of Sense, instead of Men of no education, with limited Capacities whom Nature never intended for a Rank superiour to that of Boatswain.
It may also be expedient to establish an Academy at each Dockyard under proper masters, whoe's duty it should be to Instruct the Officers of the Fleet when in Port in the Principles and Application of the mathematicks, Drawing, Fencing and othermanly Arts and Accomplishments.
It will be requisite that young Men serve a certain term in Quality of Midshipmen, or Masters mate before they are examined for Promotion.
And the necessity of Establishing an Hospital near each Dockyard, under the care of Skilful Physicians is self evident. ー
Philadelphia 7th April 1777.
[Endorsed] The Honble Robert Morris.
