[Capt. Tho.^s Truxton] Sir, War department Novem.^r 3^d 1794 I have received your letter of the 21^st instant. You will please to employ Thomas Rains as a Quarterman on the Frigate to be built at Baltimore under y[our] superintendance at the rate of pay mentioned by you. Two dollars p^r day. [Will.^m Pennock.] Sir, W. D. November 7^th 1794 Your several favors of the 30^th of August Sep[tember] 7^th October 4^th and 26^th have been received, the two former during my absence. Temporary Buildings & all necessary accomodations for the workmen sanctioned by the Superintend[ent] and you will please to have executed upon the best term[s] in your power. The Cork necessary for the Workmen you will please personally to provide in the manner you mentio[ned]. I presume all the accounts ought to be adjuste[d] at the Treasury, but it will be proper that you should transmit me abstracts of your quarterly payments, transmitting the vouchers to the Treasury Department. You will please to furnish M.^r Shaw with the necessary Stationary. M.^r Humphreys the principal constructor will probably repair to Norfolk soon in order to give directions relatively to the frame so that there be no mistakes until the arrival of M.^r Morgan who is now in Georgia & will not be able to leave that in less than one month. [Ben Blagge, Esq^r] Sir, W. D. November 10^th 1794. I have the honor to transmit you inclosed the Copy of a letter I have received from a person unknown to me dated at New York the 3^d instant and signed T. W. [Tench Coxe Esq^r] Sir, W. D. Nov.^r 14^th 1794. I transmit you a copy of a letter from the Captains Barry, Dale & Truxton giving their opinion of the importance of live oak being used for the floor & rising timber of the Frigates. M.^r Humphreys concurs in this opinion. This idea would have been brought forward by them at an earlier period had they known that the live oak of a proper size could have been obtained for that purpose. Captain Barry's late visit to Georgia having convinced him of the practicability of obtaining the proper timber induces them to this application. Being myself also persuaded of the importance of this change I request it may be adopted. M.^r Humphreys is of opinion that the draft M.^r Morgan has for the floor and rising timbers will enable him to have the timber cut accordingly. But in addition to the draft and to prevent all errors I have directed him to ship the moulds on board of a vessel about to sail for Georgia in which M.^r Segraves embarks. I pray you therefore to give the directions to M.^r Morgan accordingly. The Honorable M.^r Butler having made an offer of live oak for the building of the Ships I have the honor to transmit you his letter & the answer thereto in order that such use may be made thereof as circumstances shall render proper.