[The Secretary The Treasury] War Office September 14. 1796. Sir Inclosed is a copy of a letter addressed to M Humiston, dated the 1st instant, and a copy of a letter in answer thereto, received this morning, relative to the building of a frigate at Portsmouth in New Hampshire. As it may be proper to enter upon arranging the conditions of the Contract without loss of time. I have annexed the Sketch A. which exhibits the dimensions of and sizes and kinds of materials for the said frigate, as communicated to me by the Secretary of State, and since corrected by Mr Humphreys. This Sketch is to make the basis and to be incorporated with the conditions expressed in my letter to Mr [undecipherable]. Substituting the fourth condition of that letter you will be pleased to advise that after the work commences, an Inspector, by Mr Hackett, shall be appointed to be the Inspector, that this person shall be [undecipherable] to his oath, to execute it, and that a deduction shall be made, whenever in their opinion either shall fall short of the conditions. [N. Irish Sir] War Office September 19. 1796. Sir I have received your letter, of the 17^th instant, on viewing the proposals of Crolius and James Mill for providing the Framework to the frigate. Be pleased to advise them a reasonable and express [undecipherable] the terms on which they would furnish the Iron, as well as the Iron work that may be wanted for the frigate, and inform me thereof as soon as convenient. It will not suit the United States to furnish the Iron. [M Freeman [undecipherable]] War Office September 19. 1796. Sir Be pleased to deliver to George [undecipherable] the Barrel[s] of such pieces of Timber as are [undecipherable] in your charge, as are [undecipherable] there properly in the use of the Frigate now building at Boston.