War Office April 27, 1796 You will please to make out a very particular Statement of what Articles have been received into the Navy Yard on Account of the Frigate building at Portsmouth, since the commencement of the Naval business, which you are requested to do with the utmost punctuality and dispatch, and transmit it, to this Office, that measures may be speedily taken agreeable to a late Act of Congress for selling that part which may be deemed perishable. You are desired to range them as follows — 1. The number of pieces of timber must be ranged under distinct heads, with the feet the[y] contain 2. The different kinds and quantities of the Materials ranged in the same manner — 3 which Articles are of a perishable nature — and 4. Observations on the places where these Articles are kept. [m^r W^m Quincey Act^r of Navy Yard Portsmouth]