[Capt Thomas Truxtun] War Office, August 7^th 1797 Sir I am directed by the Secretary of War to request that you will make enquiry whether it may be possible to procure at Baltimore by purchase Marine painters and 12 Six pounders Suitable for the Algerine Frigate, if such guns are procureable you will be pleased to State the price demanded for them, one of of one hundred I will be preferable — M^r Hughes having failed in his Contract with the Secretary of the Treasury for nine and Six pounders for that Ship has greatly disappointed The Secretary of War, as the Ship is completely rigged, Ballasted, and in other respects ready for Sea, it is a great pity She Should be detained on that account — The Secretary of War has just received a letter from Captain Nicholson in which he requests the Anchors lying at Portsmouth for his Ship, be ordered home without it had been ordered for Baltimore as the Size is much more Suitable for the Constellation viz. 44. 2. 16. I am &c Josiah Fox