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 timber as may be requested 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 Contractor to stow the timber and plank as compact as possible, that material which, may be noted, cover the whole with the least expence — Should any part of the timber and plank be at this time in the Sea water seasoning, and where they may be injured by the worms, you will cause them to be hauled onto the [undecipherable] and stowed alongside of the Keel by which means one covering will protect them. Great care should be taken to have the whole properly stocked so as to admit the Air to every part of the piles. [Mr. John Blagge, New York] Sir, War Office June 14^th 1796 Understanding from the report of Capt. [undecipherable] that a large quantity of oak plank intended for the Frigate that was to have been built at New York has lain 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