or disposed be used in every part thereof, and that the Contracts entered into by M^r Hackett and Abel Bills are hereby confirmed to— I hereby Certify that the foregoing Extract of a letter from Cap^t Thomas Thompson Superintendent of the Algerine Frigate is an exact Copy from the Original letter on file in this Office and also that the Extract of orders to Captain Thompson from the Secretary of War is Copied from the reference Book page 212 — Joseph Fox Sir War Office 1. December 1799— [Wilkins Esq^r] I enclose you a Drawing of a Gun Galley, an Estimate of the probable cost, if built here, and a particular description of the pieces of Timber &c to be employed in its construction. Two of these will be wanted for the better protection of our Posts on the Ohio and Mississippi and it is expected can be built at or near Pittsburgh and completed in time to fall down to Massac with the first rise of the waters in the Spring. You will be pleased to inform me as soon as possible whether you can procure qualified Workmen who will undertake to build them The Terms on which they can be procured, the price of the Timber and Materials within your reach, and what Articles it will be necessary Should be sent from this Quarter. I have fixed a Superintendent to oversee this Contract and procure the Work by his [undecipherable] and exertion. In the mean while you will commence to engage the Timber and have it brought to the place where it will be proper to build the Galleys. I am &c [Marginalia, written vertically in left margin: the effect part of the [undecipherable] to [undecipherable] of natural one foot — practitioners will be sent you to [undecipherable] the Construction — this attention however and not [undecipherable] be [undecipherable] the lumber &c]