Sir.

Capt Walker ² requested our Directions to you, as to finishing the upper Works of the Vessel you are now building for the Public, whether we would have it done in the Ship or Galley Fashion; he says he thinks it would not be inconvent to you to delay the Finishing of her 'till the one Capt Walker is in is rigged, if so we should be glad you would delay it 'till an Experiment can be made, by which it may fairly be determined which is best. We cannot procure Men for those already in the Water, so that the Public will not suffer by the Delay. If you cannot, with Convenience delay the finishing, we are inclined to think it best to do it in the Manner of a Ship.

We are &ca