We send you enclosed the numbers and rates of ships carrying on the war this next year and direct you to prepare an estimate and attend us on Monday evening at 6 o'clock. You are to include in the estimate the cost of tenders, hospital ships and every other expense necessary for equipping and maintaining at sea such a fleet of ships with due regard to the several services they are assigned. An estimate of the charge of building 12 new fireships of the dimensions proposed to you which will complete the number to 22. The Mediterranean squadron is to be the same as that set down in the lare project for the winter service and you should include those ships for Virginia and Newfoundland and the West India squadron which are to be estimated to their middle complement.