[The Secretary of the Treasury] Sir, War Office September 13, 1796 There will be wanted for the Frigate destined for the Mediterranean twenty four nine pounders and twelve six pounders, and [by?] the Frigates now under construction fifty twelve pounders. It is requested therefore that a Contract may be entered into for the delivery of this number of Cannon on or before the [undecipherable] next ensuing. As desirable as a [undecipherable] despatch with the person who may engage to furnish them, it may be proper that the Contract should comprise the following conditions. 1. That the Guns to be cast in the solid and bored. 2. That the twenty four nine pounders and twelve six pounders are [undecipherable] exactly in weight. [Their] calibre and length to British Ship Guns of the same dimensions [undecipherable]. 3. But the forty twelve pounders be [undecipherable] agreeably to the dimensions laid down in the annexed draught. 4. That the Guns after having been bored and before undergoing any proof shall be examined by one or two persons to be appointed by the President of the United States in the presence of such other persons as shall be named by the owner of the works. That this examination shall commence be a verification of the [undecipherable] the diameters of the different parts and ascertainment whether there are more internal and external cavities defects than are specified in the annexed table exhibiting the defects which are to be tolerated. [Undecipherable] as above the diameters are as prescribed, and the defects not greater than those tolerated, the Cannon shall be returned to the boring machine to be enlarged, before being proved, and in [undecipherable] as above the defects are greater than those tolerated, the examination shall cease, and the Cannon be rejected. 5. That the instruments commonly employed to ascertain diameters and discover cavities or holes in the external and internal parts of Guns shall be used on such occasions. 6. That the touch hole must end in the cannon, at the middle of the rounding of the angle at the bottom of the bore. That no air holes be found in the touch hole deeper than the twentieth of an inch. The Cannon cannot be admitted if [undecipherable] to repair the same shall have ever been filled up with [undecipherable] in 7. That the [undecipherable] must be perpendicular to the vertical plane, which is supposed to pass through the touch hole to cut the bore into two [undecipherable]. That the upper part of the [undecipherable] shall be level with the [undecipherable] the calibre of bore and the [undecipherable] the usual relations in weight [undecipherable] between the Breech and Chace. 8. That the firing [undecipherable] powder shall be proved by two inspections discharge. The weight of the powder for the first discharge shall be equal to two thirds of the weight of the ball and for the second [undecipherable] the weight of the ball. The Cartridge shall be well rammed down within and over it, two balls shall be placed over that with a wad of hay between them and a wad over which shall be well rammed down. The holes to be measured so as to allow a sufficient windage; and approved of by the Officers who shall make the experiment and the owner of the works or any person whom he may appoint for that purpose. 9. That to ascertain the strength of the [undecipherable] the Cannon must be placed on two pieces of wood having indentations large enough to receive the shanks. The [undecipherable] and with the tinder [undecipherable] at a sufficient distance from above the [undecipherable] target, so that the touch may be enclosed in any direction but never so as to rest on the ground. The proof [undecipherable] powder must be made on those pieces of wood. 10. That the Cannon which shall have stood the proof of [undecipherable] powder shall be raised, four of the long army carriages and placed upon a supporter so that they may be filled with water. That after the water has been [undecipherable] filled although any part of the Cannon it cannot be received as it has stood proof. 11. That the Cannon which shall have stood the aforesaid examination and proof shall be subject nevertheless to be reexamined, and should one [undecipherable] defect, selected, or the ones blended, found to have been enlarged to [undecipherable] firing, all such Cannon must undergo a second proof but of one discharge only; when after the holes exhibit no further enlargement, they shall be admitted and received after being weighed. 12. That the weight of each Cannon received shall be marked on the [undecipherable] [undecipherable] in [undecipherable]. As Cannon which have not undergone the above examination and proof as may be used by the United States without putting the success of these military undertakings in which they may be engaged, at risk; and as the principles and regulations here laid down, have been the result of much experience, and long adopted for the verification of Cannon by the principal Nations in Europe; they may be considered as guides that ought not to be departed from. It is required therefore that the Contract shall be so formed as to ensure a strict and punctual compliance with each and all of the above mentioned conditions. P.S. The draught for the 12 pounders, which is in hand, will be furnished in a few days. [underline: Defects to be tolerated in Cannon for the use of the Navy of the United States.] [Depth of in [undecipherable]] Bore { more than the prescribed diameter 1 { less than idem [undecipherable] Interior holes { Depth of the interior holes 2[undecipherable] { a succession of little holes one of which will be 1[undecipherable] [Upon the [undecipherable]] { [undecipherable] direction towards the muzzle 2[undecipherable] { [undecipherable] direction parallel with the surface [undecipherable] { a succession of little holes one of which will be [undecipherable] Exterior holes Upon the [undecipherable] surface { directed towards the muzzle 2[undecipherable] { [undecipherable] direction parallel with the surface [undecipherable] { a combination of little holes one of which will be [undecipherable] Upon the band and tender [undecipherable] of the [undecipherable] [undecipherable] A length [undecipherable] both [undecipherable] with the [undecipherable] between the first and upper part of the [undecipherable] [undecipherable] Holes at the age of the muzzle { If they are in a direction towards the muzzle and if they are ¹/₂₀ of an inch deep the Cannon cannot be received. It shall also be proved if the holes are ¹/₂₀ an inch deep and are directed towards the muzzle. Upon the diameter { more than [undecipherable] { less than [undecipherable] Upon the exterior position of the [undecipherable] [undecipherable] Touch hole Upon the [undecipherable] of the interior [undecipherable] { [undecipherable: foremost perpendicular] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] { [undecipherable] [undecipherable] { Behind the same [undecipherable] The holes in the interior part of the Touch hole to be [undecipherable] a twentieth of an inch deep.