[263] W^r Off^ce Sep^t 8. 1797 Jn^o. By direction of the Secretary of War, [N^o D^a Costa] I have the honor to enclose you a copy of a letter from J. Hughes dated 28 of August last, and to inform you that it is the Secretary's request that you would, in case you are of opinion that the Ball will be in readiness for that purpose, proceed to M^r Hughes's furnace on Monday next, and make the examination of such of the Cannon as may be ready, agreeably to your existing instructions. Be pleased to pray M^r Hughes to have all the Guns intended for the Algerine Frigate completed as soon as possible and report to M^r Deranno the Number particularly dimensions of such as shall stand proof. R Jones War Office Sept^r [11] J^r I have the Honor to inform you that the [Inch Deranno] Secretary of War has requested M^r Da Costa to proceed to M^r Hughes's furnace and examine, and prove the cannon casting there for the Algerine Frigate and to make a report to you of the Number and size of such as shall stand proof — It is the Secretary's wish that you would be pleased to take order to have transported as soon as may be, all such Cannon to Portsmouth in New Hampshire in order that they may be mounted and put on board the said Frigate — R. J. R. Jones