the first of May last, in consideration of your incessant ap= plication to the public interest in adjusting the principles of the Ship, drawing up draughts and making models &— [separator line] Captain Barry's Oath I John Barry do solemnly swear to bear true alle= giance to the United States of America and to serve them ho= nestly and faithfully against all their Enemies or opposers who= soever, and to observe and obey the orders of the President of the United States of America and the orders of the officers ap= pointed over me According to the Articles of War and that I will support the Constitution of the United States — So help me God sworn before me this [signed] John Barry first day of July 1794 Richard Peters [Henry Jackson Esq Naval Agent at Boston —] Sir War dep^t July 2^d 1794 I am desirous that M^r John Hacket near Newbury who built the Alliance Frigate during the late war should be [undecipherable: probable reading "engaged"] as the Constructor of the Forty four gun ship to be built at Boston. It has been decided as the best mode that the Con= structor shall be engaged upon a salary, including all his per= sonal expenses. Any sum therefore for which the said M^r Hac= ket may engage not exceeding at the rate of Two thousand & [undecipherable] annum you will stipulate to him. I should think the sum ought not to be less than one thousand five hundred dollars certainly cannot exceed Two thousand —, It is to be understood there are three Hacketts one of whom's names William [undecipherable] and who is subject to temporary insanity — you will of course engage — This point must be well ascertained — I am