[279] War Office 4^th Decem. 1797 Sir I have received your letter of the 1^st inst. It shall send down Capt. Barry and M^r. D[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. I am &c [left margin: [undecipherable] Highet / Esquire] Mess. H.I. Harrits Gentleman War Office 4 December 1797 The Chairman of the Committee of the House of Representatives on the Subject of the protection of Commerce hath requested the Secretary of War to inform the Committee what further provisions appears 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 other information called for in my letter of the [undecipherable] same as at convenient — I am &c [left margin: Mr Gorell] Joseph Fox will be much obliged to M^r Gorell to inform him what part of the Sum of 60,000 [undecipherable] [undecipherable] to the Charges by the Treasury since the [undecipherable] first that have been expended on account of each of the Frigates (United States, Constitution & Constellation) and [undecipherable] found in the accounts and of the said Frigates [undecipherable]