[Henry Jackson Boston :] Sir War Office Decem^r 9^th 1796 It would appear by the annexed letter and document from M^r La Lombe Consul General from the Republic of France that you had purchased for the use of The Frigate an Anchor claimed by the Consul as property belonging to his Republic. To avoid mingling in the dispute of right between the person you purchased from and The Republic it is thought best that the anchor in question should be immediately transported to the place from whence it has been taken and delivered to the person from whom it has been bought. [Secretary of the Treasury :] Sir War Office Decem^r 13^th 1796 I enclose you an Estimate of the quantity and weight of Cables, Rigging &c which will be wanted for the Frigate contracted to be built at Portsmouth by M^r Rachett. Such of those Articles as can be obtained on easier terms here than at Portsmouth including transportation and risk, Whether you will of course direct to be procured and forwarded in season to enable the work to proceed without delay. you will also find inclosed a series of letters from Cap^t Thompson of Portsmouth containing information which may be usefull to the persons and proposals for providing Materials, Superintending the work, and conducting it to a final Close. It appears to me that it may be proper and œconomical to assign such duties to an Agent at Portsmouth as are pointed out in M^r Thompson's letters, and that he should be enabled to purchase, make, and procure whatever cannot be made or Obtained on equal terms here — Under these impressions I shall signify to Cap^t Thompson my concurrence in his proposals, with some exception to which I have no doubt he will accede, if there should occur to you no objection against so employing him, or throwing the business into the train of execution which has been suggested. [Secretary of the Treasury; for the Statement see page 200 :] Sir W.O. Decemr 15^th 1796 — I inclose you a Copy of Articles &c that will be necessary by the report of Cap^t Cathcart to compleat and equip The Frigate building at Portsmouth for the Mediterranean Service. There are sufficient Stores & Hoops in store at that place for all the Water Casks, and a Cutter 18 feet long in length with its oars and Sails, that was built for the other Frigate. [Secretary of the Treasury :] Sir W.O. Decemr 19^th 1796 It appears from the Opinions of Cap^t Barry Cap^t Truxton and M^r Joshua Humphreys That Busher patent pumps is preferable to Chain pumps. you will therefore be pleased to order Six of them for each of the Frigates accordingly — [Mess.^rs & J. Harrett Naval Agents :] Sir W.O. Decemr 26 1796 I received your Letter of the 22 Instant, by the last Mail and have this Day given orders to Cap^t Staats Morris to furnish a guard from his command with proper instructions for the protection of the Frigate and other public property in the Navy Yard. —