Sir, War Office April 22^nd 1796 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 Portsmouth 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 orders from this Office. Should any Vessel at this time be at Portsmouth laden with live Oak from Georgia the property of the public, or should any arrive before other orders are received, you are directed to send such Vessel with their Cargoes to Boston without delay. [M^r Jacob Sheafe Naval Agent Portsmouth] Sir, War Office April 23, 1796 The Congress having determined to build only three of the Frigates ordered by a former law; and as the frigate at Boston is to be one of those that are immediately to be built and equipped: It is therefore expected you will exert yourself to get that Ship compleated with all convenient speed, and for that purpose you are directed to make use of the timber received by the Schooner Rachel which arrived at Boston last December [Col^o Geo. Claghorn Naval Constructor Boston]