[Secretary of the Treasury] [for the Statement see page 300] S^ir W C Decm^r 1^st 1796 — I enclose you a Copy of Articles &c that will be necessary by the report of Cap^t Bainwick to compleat and equip the Frigate building at Portsmouth for the Mediterrenean Service — There are sufficient Masts & Hoops in Store at that place for all the Water Casks, and a butter 18 feet long in length with she cast and State, that was built for the other Frigate — S^ir W C Decm^r 6^th 1796 [Secretary of the Treasury] It appears from the opinions of Cap^t Barry Cap^t Truxton and W^m Josias Humphreys, that Timber patent present is preferable to China present — You will therefore be pleased to order Six of them for each of the Frigates accordingly — [Mess^rs Izd Morrill Naval Agents] S^ir W C Decm^r 26 1796 I received your Letter of the 22 Instant, of the said Mann and have this Day given orders to Cap^t Steuart 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 —