new frigates, must be immediately separated from that to be reserved; and the whole Co valued; after which it is to be at M^r Hackett's dispose. [Mr Jacob Sheafe] War Office September 21. 1796. Sir, 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 M^r Fox and deliver such pieces of timber and oak or pine plank to M^r Hackett as shall be selected by M^r Fox for the new frigate to be built by that Gentleman having the same previously valued. The idea is that the timber pieces to be destined for the new frigate are to be immediately separated from that which is to be reserved for future use and the whole of it valued after which it is to be at M^r Hackett's dispose. To be calling upon persons to value every piece as they should want it would be to give them, you, and the public Officers a great deal of unnecessary trouble. You will therefore be kind enough to notice M^r Hackett to attend to make the selection and to appoint a person on his part to enter upon the valuation. [The Secretary of the Treasury] War Office September 27. 1796. Sir, I believe the best explanation relative to the proof by water will be to give M^r 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 penetrate through the sides of the Cannon. For this purpose the Examiners will be instructed, after the Cannon have undergone the proof by powder, to place them upon a thick piece of Timber, so as they may be readily made to turn upon it. The Touch hole will be stopped with a wooden peg covered with tallow. The Cannon will then be raised, and the chace surrounded with linnnen, so that any water which may fall down the sides on filling the bore shall not be confounded with the drops that may filter through the metal; and with the same view the water will be poured into the cavity by means of the spout of a watering pot. The water will be then pressed upon by a rammer covered with thick cloth, so as to fill exactly the muzzle of the Cannon. During this operation the exterior will be attentively watched, to see whether any water passes through the metal. If the least filtration appears the cannon will be refused. As to the dimensions of the twelve pounders &c the draughts are in hand, and I expect will be finished in a few days. [M^r M^r Herbert] War Office September 30. 1796. Sir, I request you to have all the live Oak frames which were intended for the frigates to be built at Gosport and that are bolted together, separated and piled up in such a manner as to give room for the air to pass between them and to be kept clear from the ground; the timbers that are not bolted to be piled up in the like manner; if the floor and floor or either of them are bolted they may remain as they are. you will have the whole Well covered and secured from the sun and rain. [The Secretary of the Treasury] War Office October 6. 1796. Sir, I here inclose copy of a letter from M^r Josiah Fox dated Sept 8^th and copy of proposals from Elisha and James