I have had the honor of receiving from you the Communication of nathaniel Cutting Esq in which he has submitted to your consideration the expediency of appointing him to an Office similar to that of “Surveyor General of the Admiralty” in Great Britain—As no such Office has been created by the competent Department of the Government, however sensible we may be of the useful talents of Mr. Cutting he cannot consistently with the provisions of the Constitution of the United States obtain from the Executive any such appointment, and I have further to add that under the existing arrangements of our navy I do not deem it expedient that such an Office be at this time erected—

I have the honor to be Sir yr most Ob St.