conditions, you will ascertain from the most respectable Black- smiths in what terms they will engage to furnish the Iron work necessary for the Frigate, which you will [undecipherable] me of as soon as possible. You will also proceed to separate agreeably to your instruc- tions, such timber as may be [undecipherable: probable reading "suitable"] [undecipherable] to the said Frigate. [M^r Jacob Shayfe^r] War Office September 1. 1796. Si^r, M^r James Hacket having engaged to build a Frigate for the Mediterranean service; you will be pleased to de- liver him such timber in your keeping as he may require for having the same [undecipherable: probable reading "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 Shayfe^r] War Office September 1. 1796. Si^r, 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 [undecipherable]. [undecipherable] 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 [undecipherable] vessel bound to Boston as soon as may be. [M^r Joshua Humphreys] War Office September 6. 1796. Si^r, Be pleased to deliver to M^r George [undecipherable: probable reading "Claghorn"] all such pieces of Timber as may not be wanted for the com- pleting the Frigate now [undecipherable] by you, the pieces promised to be sent to Baltimore excepted.