proceed with regularity and dispatch where such orders are not fully complied with. I therefore think it my duty to enforce a speedy compliance on your part to every Clause of your Instructions; and hope, the Statement alluded to may be immediately made out and transmitted to This Office. [Secretary of the Treasury —] Sir W^o. April 17^th 1797 As a Vessel is wanted to Transport the Spair, Kentledge and some other Articles to Baltimore, for the Frigate Building there, I have to request, that you will give orders to have one chartered for the purpose. [Mr. David Stodder] Sir W^o. April 17^th 1797 I am surprised to find that there is no probability of your launching the Frigate Constellation before the first of July next. by the report of Captain Thurston some time since I entertained a Hope she would have been nearly completed this Month. It therefore becomes my duty to request you will exert yourself to the Utmost, to get the Ship completed with possible expedition, and it is necessary at same time to be as frugal as possible in every part of The Business. [Mr. Caleb Gibbs] Sir W^o. April 18, 1797 When I wrote you on the 8^th of February last, I requested you to transmit to This Office without delay "a particular Statement of all Articles received into the NavyYard and put "first under your care since your appointment as Clerk "of the yard". In March last I received a Monthly Return for February in which was included many Articles that were neglected to be accounted for at the time when they were received into your keeping. From those apparent neglects, it may be necessary to inform you, the public Service sustains great injury, and I must request that you will in future be careful to conform to every part of your instructions, and be likewise diligent in their execution, that the Business in which you are engaged may be conducted with regularity and dispatch. and should any part of your instructions remain unattended to, It will be my duty to appoint a person to that service, who will conduct the Business of Clerk with greater advantage to the Public. It is expected you will furnish the Statements called for immediately and that without delay — [Jno. Blagg & Co] [W^o] Sir W.O. April 27, 1797 Received your letter of the 22^d Instant — If the proprietor of the Ground on which the Storehouse is erected, should appear disposed to let it for any time, the Public may think proper to keep it not exceeding Six years at the Annual rent of 62½ Dollars [strikethrough: per Annum], it appears to be the Interest of the U.S. it should be engaged, but if he should Object to this proportion it may then be taken for Three years only. As M^r Cheesman has taken the yard at Corlears Hook in his Own Name; it may be proper that, he should take this also in the same manner —