[259/o] W O July 26, 1797 — Received your favour of the 22 Instant. Capt. T Truxtun Baltimore I have inclosed an order to Capt Staats Morris to deliver to you or your order, Twelve Guns, Twelve pounders for the Constellation, and which you are permitted to select out from among the Guns of that Calibre. for W O. July 26, 1797 Capt. Truxtun reports that there are several Guns Twelve pounders at Whetstone point that are suitable, and much wanted for the Frigate Constellation at Baltimore. Capt Staats Morris Baltimore You will therefore be pleased to deliver to Capt Truxtun — twelve Guns of that Calibre, and such as he may point out proper for that Ship, for which you will take duplicate receipts, one of which you will be pleased to transmit to this Office — for W O: July 27, 1797 M^r Jos Ilinghm. Boston It being of importance to the United Stat that the Frigate Constitution shou^ld be coppered on the Stock before she is launched into the Water, you will therefore be pleased to cause the said Ship to be coppered as high as light water mark as soon as the Bottom is prepared, as it will prevent heaving down afterwards and a consequent heavy expence Right draught of Water forward will be about 13 f^t d^o aft — d^o 19 [refers to 30 July to page 271]