part is properly conducted, and that no unnecessary waste is made of the Materials in Store. — It afforded me pleasure to learn that a Vessel had arrived at Portsmouth laden with live Oak which I hope is at Boston by this time . . . This Cargo will no doubt be a great acquisition and be a means of getting the Hull of the Frigate in great forwardness if not compleat half this year. The draught for the inboard work is nearly ready and will be sent on to Boston when a favorable opportunity offers — Sir War Office May 20^th 1796 You will please to request M^r Cheeseman to cut the following Toptimbers in addition to the live timber heretofore ordered to Philadelphia N^o 3^d Starboard Fashion 9^ths N.B. shorter prefer timber N^o 4. 4^ths 9 in a rough state 4 4 4 2 Cap^t John Barry Cap^t the Trustees and M^r DaCosta having been authorized and instructed to examine and report on the Frigate Guns Cast at Cecil Furnace, have examined 33 guns which had stood proof, and report 29 of the said guns suitable, common, and fit for service. M^r DaCosta reports further, that three of the cast cannon which he weighed weighed fourteen thousand and sixty six Pounds. Given at the War Office of the U.S. 2^d of May 1796 [M^r John Balagg New York.] [M^r Hughes]