[The Secretary The Secretary] War Office September 14. 1796. Sir, Inclosed is a copy of a letter addressed to M^r Burbister dated the 1^st 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 M^r Humphreys. This Sketch is to make the basis and to be incorporated with the conditions expressed in my letter to M^r Fox. Attending the fourth condition of that letter, you will be pleased to provide that when the work is materially delayed by the Architect, it shall be reported to him the Inspector, that two persons shall be called in — he shall be on oath, to review it and that a deduction shall be made, whenever in their opinion either shall fall short of the conditions. [M^r Streb, Sir] War Office September 14. 1796. Sir, 5 I have received your letter of the 12^th instant, on viewing the proposals of Peirce and James Streb for providing the framework of the frigate. Be pleased to call upon them and compare or express the terms on which they would furnish the Iron, as well as the framework, that may be wanted for the frigate, and inform me, them, as soon as convenient. It will not suit the United States to furnish the Iron. [M^r Freeman Clairveaux] War Office September 14. 1796. Sir, Be pleased to deliver to George Claypoole, the Purveyor, such pieces of Timber as may be in your charge, as the said Purveyor, in the name of the frigate now building at Boston.