[Copy] Copy of Mess.^rs James & Elisha Hiles terms for providing Iron for proposed Frigate Portm.^o Sept.^r 26. 1796 original sent to the Secretary the same day --- Portm.^o (N.H.) Sept: 26. 1796, M^r Stouch &c. Sir Agreeable to a request from the Hon^ble the Department of War, which you have signified to us purporting, that it was the desire of the Secretary of War, that we should furnish the Iron for the Frigates intended to be built in this port — We have therefore [strikethrough: endeavoured] considered the subject, and have concluded to provide the Iron for said Ship at the rate of one Hundred & Twenty dollars p^r Ton, and the Working to be agreeable to our proposals of Sept. 16 which terms (being the lowest) we wish may meet the Secretary's Approbation (and that he would signify the same to the Naval Agent, in Portm.^o in case you should be absent —— We remain for your most Ob^t Serv^t Elisha Hills James Hills P.S. It will be necessary to advance some Money in order to enable us to purchase the Iron ——