[N. Norman Cheeseman New York —] War Office June 3. 1796 Sir, You will be pleased to make out a particular Statement of all the live oak timbers that are Moulded and dressed in the Navy yard distinguishing them by name. Those timbers that are bolted together in frames you will mark thus X. You are also requested to accompany the above Statement with another of such timbers as remain in a rough state distinguishing them likewise by name, as they are marked. — [Capt. James Sever and one of same date to Capt. Silas Talbot New York —] Sir, War Office June [undecipherable]^th 1796 Congress having limited by a late Act the number of Frigates to be built to three and no provision for the pay and Subsistence of the Captains of those ordered to be suspended / which have been those in least forwardness / it becomes my duty to inform you that your pay and Subsistence as Captain of the Frigate that was to have been built at Portsmouth will cease on the 30 instant to which time you will be pleased to render your account for settlement. — While I make you this communication I mention with pleasure the hope of The President; that should any future occasion require your services, that they will be cheerfully given— [Mr. John Blagge New York [undecipherable] [letter] was sent [same] date to Mr. N. Pennock Norfolk —] Sir War Office June 4. 1796 — You will be pleased to deliver such of the live oak timbers as may be in the Navy Yard at New York (to Mess^rs Samuel and Joseph Sterret, Naval Agents at Baltimore,) on their order for the use of the Frigate building there, except the Knees which are required for the Frigate building at this place. and for such timbers as may be received and delivered you will please to take duplicate receipts one of which is to be returned to this Office — [Mr. Jacob Sheafe Portsmouth] Sir War Office June 13.^th 1796 In Answer to your Letter of the 3^d instant I am fully of opinion every precaution should be taken to preserve the timber and other materials most effectually from the weather. You will therefore be pleased to request the Constructor to stow the timber and plank as compact as possible that suitable sheds may be erected over the whole with the least expense — Should any part of the timber and plank be at this time in the Sea water to seasoning and where they may be injured by the worms, you will cause them to be hauled into the Yard and stowed alongside of the Keel by which means one covering will protect them. Great care should be taken to have the whole properly sticked so as to admit the Air, to every part of the piles — [Mr. John Blagge New York] Sir War Office June 14. 1796 Understanding from the report of Capt. Talbot that a large quantity of oak plank intended for the Frigate that was to have been built at New York has been in the [undecipherable] since last Autumn and that there is a probability of the Worms attacking it should it remain in that situation during the Summer Months I think it necessary to request that