[Captains Barry - Nicholson - Talbot - Dale - & Truxton -] Sir, War department, June 5^th 1794 The President of the United States, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, has appointed you to be a Captain of one of the ships to be provided, in pursuance of the Act to provide a Naval armament, herein inclosed. It is to be understood that the relative rank of the Captains are to be in the following order — John Barry Samuel Nicholson Silas Talbot Joshua Barney Richard Dale Thomas Truxton — You will please to inform me as soon as convenient whether you accept or decline the appointment. I am Sir &c. [Capt. Jos. Barney] Sir, War department, June 5. 1794 The President of the United States by and with the advice and consent of the Senate has appointed you to be a Captain of one of the ships to be provided in pursuance of the Act to provide a Naval armament herein inclosed.— It is to be understood that the relative rank of the Captains are to be in the following order — John Barry Samuel Nicholson Silas Talbot Joshua Barney Richard Dale Thomas Truxton — Since the nominations to the Senate were made known, been said that you would not accept the appointment on the ground that Captain Talbot was junior in rank to during the late war — That the reverse of this was the case will fully appear by the inclosed resolve of Congress, creating Col. Talbot a Captain in the Navy on the 19^th of September 1779, whereas it appears from the lists that you continued a Lieutenant to the end of the war. Respect to the justice of the President of the United States requires that this circumstance should be mentioned. You will please to inform me as soon as convenient whether you accept or decline the appointment.— I am Sir &c.— [Captain Silas Talbots oath] I Silas Talbot do solemnly swear to bear true allegiance to the United States of America and to serve them honestly and faithfully against all their enemies or opposers whosoever, and to observe and obey the orders of the President of the United States of America, and the orders of the Officers appointed over me according to the articles of war — so help me God. worn before me this ninth day of June 1794 (signed) Silas Talbot James Wilson [M^r Joshua Humphreys] Sir, War Dep^t June 21 1794. The building for making the moulds being so essential no time should be lost in putting it in a train of instant execution. It ought to be framed so that if no further use should be required for it, that it may be sold to the best advantage — I request that you would after negotiating with several of the most eminent Carpenters for the erection of this building engage with the cheapest and also contract for the materials and I will arrange payment in the course of a few days.— I am Sir [&c.]