[Page 190] [The Secretary of the Treasury] Sir, War Office September 19 1796 M^r George Wingborne the Constructor of the frigate now building at Boston has been authorised to procure such pieces of timber at New York, as may be found there suitable for said frigate. You will be pleased therefore to take order that he be provided with the means for its transportation to Boston. [The Secretary of the Treasury] Sir, War Office September 20 1796 M^r John Skillin of Boston has been recommended to me by M^r Rush as a qualified Artist to undertake the carving of the head or figure for the frigate building at that Town. Most request that this work should be committed able assessment who will be pleased to give such orders as may be necessary on the occasion. There is a drawing of the figure for the carving now preparing which I shall send forward to M^r Skillin as soon as finished. [M^r Hiché, Sec.] Sir, War Office September 21 1796 I have received your letter of the 14th instant. I'd peruse either with a great Master, Spars and timber of every description and expressed to be reserved for your instructions of the 12^th and 2^nd. I am attentive and prepared to furnish the Copies sketched. To and instructions may be used for this purpose. I shall give M^r Hiché orders to answer how you therefore proceed to ascertain the different prices and funds needed by M^r Hiché and have the value of the whole as estimated agreeable to the mode indicated in my letter of September last. To prevent any difficulties therefrom M^r Hachée must give a receipt for the amount acknowledged to owe to the United States the amount of the sum at which the whole may be valued. My idea is that the [undecipherable] destined for the more