War Office March 22 1796 Sir Till the pleasure of Congress can be known respecting proceedings under the Act authorizing the equipment of the Frigates, it may only be proper that you should take possession of the Books and papers kept by the Deceased Clerk And in the mean time watch see that the public interest does not suffer --- War Office April 20^th 1796 Sir A Bill having passed both Houses of Congress to build and equip only three of the Frigates ordered by a former law: and as it is probable the Frigate building at NewYork may be one of those that will be laid aside, you are hereby directed to cause every operation to be immediately suspended untill you receive further instructions from this Office. Should any Vessel at this time be at NewYork laden with live oak, or deck plank from Georgia the property of the public, or should any arrive before other orders are received you are directed to send such Vessels with their Cargoes to Philadelphia without delay