rounded; there is a sufficient quantity of this smallest size, already procured that will answer for the lower deck. [Mr Josiah Fox.] War Office August 13. 1796. Sir I have received your letters of the 1^st 2^d and 4^th. Mr. Hackett's proposals, in building the thirty six gun frigate appears to be considerably lower than those of either M^r Cheesman or M^r Pick — But the time he would stipulate to launch her in, is longer than could be wished. Be pleased to consult M^r Hackett, to know whether he will not engage in case his terms should be accepted, to launch the Ship at an earlier day. M^r Cheesman proposes to deliver in ten months. [M. Jacob Fox.] War Office September 1. 1796. Sir It being thought adviseable that the frigate agreeably to sketch It, in your instructions Should be built by contract, you will enforme M^r Hacket thereof, and that the terms which he has offered to build her on, have been communicated to the Secretary of the Treasury and approved of. M^r Hacket may therefore proceed to make all preparatory arrangements for commencing the works without a moments delay. M^r Hacket is to be informed at the same time that it will be required as indispensable conditions in the Contract 1^st. That the frigate be delivered complete agreeable to Contract in ten months from the date of the reception of this letter. 2 That the public may furnish the timber plank &c which it has in store, proper for the said frigate at a valuation 3. That the timber be valued by two disinterested, reputable and well informed persons, who shall be on oath, one to be chosen by M^r Sheafe and the other by M^r Hacket. If these should disagree, a third to be chosen by mutual consent who is also to act on oath. 4. That the United States shall have a right to appoint an Inspector of the work. As soon as you obtain M^r Hacket's consent to these conditions, you will ascertain from the most respectable Blacksmiths, in what terms they will engage to furnish the Iron work necessary for the Frigate, which you will inform me of as soon as possible. You will also, proceed to separate agreeably to your instructions, such timber as may be suitable to the said Frigate. [M^r. Jacob Sheafe] War Office September 1. 1796. Sir M^r James Hacket having engaged to build a Frigate for the Mediterranean service, you will be pleased to deliver him such timber in your keeping, as he may require, first having the same valued by two disinterested, reputable and well informed persons who shall be on oath, one to be chosen by you, the other by M^r Hacket. If these should disagree, a third to be chosen by mutual consent, who is also to act on oath. [M^r Jacob Sheafe] War Office September 1. 1796. Sir M^r Fox has represented to me that there are several pieces of Live Oak in the Navy yard at Portsmouth proper and much wanted for the frigate building at Boston. I request therefore that you would please to have such pieces of Live Oak as shall be pointed out to you by M^r Fox, or M^r Hacket shipped on board of some vessel bound to Boston as soon as may be. [M^r Joshua Humphreys] War Office September 6. 1796. Sir Be pleased to deliver to M^r George Claghorne all such pieces of timber as may not be wanted for completing the frigate now building by you; the pieces promised to be sent to Baltimore excepted.