[230] [Capt. J Thompson] W^o. May 11. 1797 Your letter of the 3 instant has been received. I shall transmit you the Dimensions of the Gun carriages as soon as they can be obtained. I have inclosed an order to M^r Sheafe to deliver you such Materials as may be in the Navy Yard and wanted for the Frigate: and also to deliver to M^r Hackett any part of the Maple Timber for launching ways he may want, and which M^r Hackett is to return into the dock free from injury as soon as the Frigate is launched: but if injury should be done to any part of said Timber, M^r Hackett must in that case be charged with the value of such Timber, and which you are directed to see valued — by order of the Secretary of War Josevah Fop. Navy Constructor --- [Jacob Sheafe Esq^r] for W^o. May 11^th 1797 You will be pleased to deliver to Cap^t Thompson or order such part of the Timber and plank in the Navy Yard as he may want for the equipment of the Algerine Frigate And also to M^r James Hackett an order as many pieces of Maple Timber for launching ways as he may require which Maple Timber he engages to return into the Dock free from injury as soon as possible after the Frigate is launched but if injury should be done to any part of said Timber, M^r Hackett is in that case to be charged with the Value of such pieces of Timber as may be injured. --- The Frigate United States of 44 Guns, was launched from M^r Joshua Humphreys Yard, Southwark Philadelphia Wednesday May 10. 1797 at 15 Minutes past One o'clock P.M.