Portsmouth (NH) 28^th April 1796 Sir I rec'd your Letter of the Instant and Agreeably to your Request herewith inclose you Electra & James Hills terms for Providing the Iron for the proposed Frigate which I hope will meet your approbation. M^r Hackett requests me to inquire at what time, & in what Manner the Payments are to be made, he likewise expects to be paid Weekly, he therefore begs some Money may be remitted him in advance, that he may be enabled to push the building forward with the Greatest vigour I remain Sir with the Greatest esteem your obt Servt. Josiah Fox O'Hon^ble James McHenry, --- Proposals by Electra Hill and James Hill for procuring the Iron Work of a Small Frigate in contemplation to be built in this port on account of the United States. Propos'd 1^st They will Complete all the Ironwork for the Hull of said Frigate at four Dollars ⅌ Thunnon 2^nd They will Rivett all the bolts in their Shops at 3 Cents each and Caulk and Head them at 3 Cents each— But in case they should Want drawing, the Cutting and heading must be in=cluded in the working, and they must be Charged at the Same price as the other Irons work for the Hulk 3^rd The Anvil work for the Pumps, Caboose, and Rigging commonly denominated under the Name of Smithwork is not comprehended in the foregoing proportions All the Hooks & Thimbles, except screw Thimbles, with all Straps for Blocks &c shall be charged at Five Dollars p^r Thunnon and the Harris work shall be Charged at the Customary price for repels in the Merchantile houses of the Same Size The payments for the above work to be made quarterly, and the Iron to be provided by the United States, on Seasons, and it is Cap^t Hacktille request that the Money may be forwarded the ensuing months (S) Portsmouth (N.H.) April 10^th 1796 Signed { Electra Hill } Blacksmiths & James Hill --- [Copy] (S) Portsmouth (N^o 3C) Sep^tr 10^th 1796 Sir We received your Letter of the [undecipherable] Instant requesting us to make our proposals for doing the Iron Work of a Small Frigate now [contemplated?] to be built in this port for the use of the United States. We accordingly transmit the purport of your letter and avow we ourselves the pleasure of forwarding you our pro=posals, which you will find on the [proceeding?] leaf. We have fixed our Calculations at the lowest rate we can afford to do the said work for, and hope they will prove agreeable. Owing to the fluctuating price of Iron we cannot with any precision inform you, what we could do the work for [furnishing?] the Iron. We are Sir with respect your very Ob'd Serv't signed { Electra Hill } Blacksmiths James Hill M^r Josiah Fox Portsmouth.