[endorsement: 3. July 1796 to President] War office 3^d July 1796. Sir. Mr. Pickering has called upon me this morning and mentioned that he thought the building of the proposed frigate for Algiers can more particularly [undecipherable] this department, of course the question I suggested so far as respects the [undecipherable] of State is answered. I shall proceed to take preparatory measures to ascertain what timber and materials can be spared [interlined: for this frigate from the others]; and [strikethrough: undecipherable] whether it will be cheaper for the public to have her built by contract furnishing certain materials, or in the way the other frigates are built. It will be proper that I should receive particular orders & instructions from the President, before [taking?] any [undecipherable: estimate] set on this occasion as it is a case not expressly contemplated by any law or treaty. Most sincerely & President of the U S