Sir W O. July 11^th 1797 Capt. Truxton reported to me in April last that the Frigate Constellation would be Launched about the first of July and in your report on the state of that Ship of the 24 of May, you did not doubt but that you should be able to Launch in July. It is with a considerable degree of regret I now receive information that the Constellation cannot possibly be Launched before the 10 of August. Such reports from the Officers engaged in Building this Ship affords room to believe that you have not been so persevering in your exertions as the nature of the service you are engaged in required. I have therefore to request that you will use your utmost endeavours to have the Frigate finished and Launched with all possible expedition, that no further delays may be imputable to you. It may also be proper to remind you that in carrying these orders into execution, you are not to run into any unnecessary expence; but on the contrary to be as frugal as possible in every part of the work. you are likewise requested to Copper all the Bottom on the Stocks before the Ship is Launched to prevent heaving down afterwards and a consequent heavy expe[nse]. Sir W O. July 13^th 1797 I received your letter of the 13 instant. The plan that you propose of partially Coppering the Bottom of the Constellation I cannot approve; you will therefore be pleased to conform to the Instructions communicated to you in my letter of the 11 instant. You state that you laid her keel in such manner that listing under her keel cannot be easi[ly done]. I have to remark on the above, that the keel cannot surely be so very low as to endanger the Vessel in passing over the Launch Blocks: but if such danger is likely, in your opinion, to happen in Launching, you will be pleased to state it by return of Post together with the distance between the keel and such blocking, as it is my desire that every precaution may be taken by you in due time to ensure the safe Launching of this Ship into the Water; you are therefore not to neglect any measure that will conduce to that desirable end.