[(259/o)] [fo^r] W.O. July 26^th 1797 - [Captⁿ T. Truxtun Baltimore] I received your favour of the 22^d Instant. I have inclosed an order to Captⁿ 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. [fo^r] W.O. July 26^th 1797 [Captⁿ Staats Morris Baltimore] Captⁿ Truxtun reports that there are several Guns Twelve pounders at [undecipherable: Whetstone] point that are suitable, and much wanted for the Frigate Constellation at Baltimore. You will therefore as pleased to deliver to Captⁿ Truxtun — his own 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 — [fo^r] W.O. July 27^th 1797 [M^r Geo Claghorn Boston] It being of importance to the United Stat[es] that the Frigate Constitution should be coppered on the [undecipherable] 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 [undecipherable: consequent] heavy expence. Right draught of Water forward will be about 15 [undecipherable] d^o aft d^o 19[undecipherable] [refers to 30 July to page 291]