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 required 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^rd 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 available sheds [may be erected] over the whole with the least expence. — 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 stacked 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 Cap^t 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 shallows since last Autumm 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 all the plank &c that may be at this time lying in such situations should be removed to the Naval Yard, or to any other suitable place the Constructor may judge proper, where they can be stowed in piles sticked and roofs raised over them that they may be preserved in the securest Manner from the weather and with the smallest expence possible —— [Mr James Hackett Naval Constructor Portsmouth. a similar letter was forwarded of same date to M^r Jossman Cheeseman Naval Constructor New York.] Sir War Office June 14^th 1796 Congress having limited by a late Act the number of Frigates to three, and the Frigate that was intended to have been built at Portsmouth being one of those on which the work has been suspended: It becomes my duty to inform you that your pay as Constructor of that Frigate will cease on the 30 instant, to which time you will be pleased to render your Account for Settlement. — While I make this communication I entertain a hope that should the work at any future time be resumed, your services will be cheerfully given —— [M^r John Blagge. New York.] Sir War Office June 16^th 1796 M^r Humphreys being still in want of several pieces of live Oak to compleat the frame of the Frigate building under his direction, and as it is very probable some considerable time may elapse before any may arrive at this place from Georgia, renders it necessary to request you to send by some convenient Vessel or Vessels the following pieces of live Oak, Viz: Three counter timbers two hawse-pieces, one Last and one Stern second futlock. [undecipherable] first [undecipherable] all the Knees that are sound ——