new frigate, must be immediately separated from that to be reserved, and the whole valued, after which it is to be at Mr Hacketts dispose. [Mr Jacob Sheafe] Sir, War Office September 21. 1796. I have been favoured with your letter of the 13 inst. You will be pleased to send such pieces of live oak and plank whether oak or pine to Boston as may be pointed out by Mr Fox and deliver such pieces of timber and oak or pine plank to Mr Hacket as shall be selected by Mr Fox for the new frigate to be built by that Gentleman having the same previously valued. The idea is that the timber preserved for the new frigate be immediately separated from that which is to be reserved in future and the whole of it valued after which it is to be at Mr Hacketts dispose. To be calling upon persons to value — any piece as that should want it would be to give them you and the public Officers a good deal of unnecessary trouble. You will therefore be kind enough to notify Mr Hacket to attend to make the selection and to appoint a person on his part to value upon the valuation. [The Secretary of the Treasury] Sir, War Office September 27. 1796. I receive the best information relative to the proof by water will be to give Mr Hughes a more detailed view of the mode in which the experiment will be directed to be made. The object of the water proof is to discover whether there are any holes which penetrated through the sides of the Cannons. For this purpose the Cannoniers will be inclined after the Cannon have undergone the proof by powder to place them upon a thick piece of timber, so as they