[126] [undecipherable: Flenst Sanner] Wm Henry Philadelphia 5^th Nov 1796 Secretary of War Thomas Thompson proposes to superintend the Frigate Building at Portsmouth by Col. James Hackett, viz. to inspect, assist and over see the Carpenters work, Caulking, Joiners work, Blacksmiths work, and all the Mast work agreeable to directions from proper Officers of Government, for the sum of $50 Dollars, meaning the Terms of Providing, and after this Consideration suppose 300 Days signed, Thomas Thompson Honll James Wm Henry Secretary of War Proposals from Thomas Thompson for Superintending, manning, Rigging and Equipping, the Frigate now Building at Portsmouth Complete for Sea Said Thompson to Superintend the Building and Equipping, in every respect. to provide Mast Houses, the Rigging Lofts, and to [undecipherable] the Rigging at his own cost and Charge to receive all Stores and Materials of every Kind, to purchase them, or to make Contracts for Rigging, Sails, Blocks, Boats, [undecipherable], [undecipherable] and any other Provisions connected with the Ship, and pay their Bills, The United States providing the Money in good [undecipherable], and to pay all Persons [undecipherable] [undecipherable] the rigging in the [undecipherable] said Thompson is to do at his own Cost, and every other thing [undecipherable] untill she is compleat for sea, for the sum of [undecipherable] Dollars, in full Compensation for [undecipherable] to Said Thompson engages that every thing should be done with care and Frugality, agreeable to every [undecipherable] Ship, and at all times agreeable to directions from the United States signed Thomas Thompson N B it will take 12 Months, strict attention to Compleat the Ship for sea, to [undecipherable] the [undecipherable] of rigging, every thing to be most Naturally planned, and engaged