Of those which had been authorized, the frigates _Constitution, United States_, and _Constellation_ were under way and were eventually completed.

The timber, with material that had been collected for the other vessels, was sold, except what was needed for the frigate which was to be presented to the Algerines, and which was to be built at Portsmouth, N.H.The whole affair was a melancholy business that must have occasioned Washington deep chagrin.

In his address to Congress, December 7, 1796, announcing the success of the negotiations for effecting the release of the captives, he observed that "to secure respect to a neutral flag requires a naval force, organized and ready to vindicate it from insult or aggression.".