Alexander McDougall to John Jay, 13 February 1776
NewYork Feb y 13 th 1776.
Dear Sir
Yesterday we made a Convention. I have the pleasure to inform you it will be a full one a day or two 1 They have such a spirit as will m[ain]tain the reputation of the Colony and the Common Un[ion.] When Mr Deane was here in the Course of the winter 2 on the business of the Navey; I suggested to him the Propriety of geting a Copy of Lieu t . OBrien–s Naval evolutions, to be reprinted. He approved of it, but I could not then obtain a Copy. 3 I have since pro[cured] one and sent it this morning by Col Morris to Congress which I beg them to accept. As this is the only tract on this subject, in our language, and but one other Copy of it in this City, I think it should be reprinted at Public expence. If this the Congress should ^ should be ^ the opinion of Congress, great care ought to be observed [in] the work. The Copy should be corrected, by the Errata before its begun; for ^ if ^ the work is not clear, and as those for wh[ose] use it is designed are not the most intelligent the end of the republication will ^ not ^ be answered. From the dim[ensions] transmitted to NewYork for the building the Ships in our Colony, I fear they the Construction of them will be imp[roper] for the force designated for them. 4 All the modern Frig[ates] English as well as French, which carry Nine or Twelve Pounders, have their Ports Seven feet distant ^ in the Clear ^ from Sill to Sill of the Ports, and each Port from 2 [feet] to 2 feet three inches ^ clear ^ so that and the Bow gun stand[ing] in its proper Place not farther forward than the ^ Scarf ^ 5 that is not over the strait part of the Keel. And the aftermost Gun is generally the distance of one port, from the [scag] that is from the aftermost part of Keel. From whence it will necessarily Follow, that the whole length of the Keel should be equally to the dim[ensions] of the Ports and their distance for the number of the Guns a ship is intended to Carry, on the Lower Deck. This will be clearly understood by the ruffDiagram, on the other side. My solicitude for the reputation of the united Colonies, is the motive that induced me to make this hasty address in Convention, which I hope will plead my excuse. I am with great truth and regard in Haste Sir Your affectionate Humble Servant
Alexr. McDougall