[Samuel Hughes Esquire] War Office 8 Decem^r. 1797 — Sir I have received your letter of the 1 inst. I shall send down Capt Barry and Mr Daeorl[undecipherable] to prove such of the different Cannon as are in a Situation to undergo that experiment and that may be adjudged by them to be fit for service agreeably to the Contracts. The time of their coming down will depend on Capt Barry who is at present very much engaged with the Frigate. I hope nothing will interrupt the completion of the 32 pounders which are much wanted. Jam Le [Mess. J & I Sterrett Gentlemen] War Office 4 December 1797 The Chairman of the Committee of the House of Representatives on the Subject of the protection of Commerce have requested the Secretary of War to inform the Committee what further provisions appear to be Necessary to complete and Man the Three Frigates for Sea — It must therefore be proper to request that you will be pleased to furnish the Estimate and such information called for in my letter of the [undecipherable] as early as convenient — Jam Le [Mr Govill] Josiah Fox will be much obliged to Mr Govill to inform him what part of the Sum of 60,000 dollars advanced to the Purveyor by the Treasury since the 6 of Jan last have been expended on acct of work of the Frigates United States, Constitution & Constellation and what has been placed on the general acct of the said Frigates 13 O. 5 Dec 179[undecipherable]