[Copy] [original sent to the Secretary the same day] Portim^o [N:S:] Sept^r 26. 1796 M^r Josiah [undecipherable] Sir Agreeable to request from the [undecipherable] 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 Frigate intended to be built in this port — We have therefore [strikethrough: enclosed] considered the subject, and have concluded to provide the Iron for said Ship at the rate of one Hundred & Twenty dollars ⅌ Ton, and the Working to be agreeable to our proposals of Sept^r 16^th which terms (being the lowest) we wish may meet the Secretarys Approbation (and that he would signify the same to the Naval Agent in Portim^o. in case you should be absent — We remain Sir your most Ob^t Serv^ts Elisha Hille James Hille P.S. It will be necessary to advance some Money in order to enable us to purchase the Iron — — — —