War Office 11^th December 1797 [M^r W^m Simmons] Sir You have already had annexed on the inst two pay Rolls Signed by Captain Barry and Lieutenant McRea of the Marines the pay which has been fixed on for the Seamen and others therein named for your government. No other information is deemed necessary to be furnished beyond that Subject, and for that particular case — As soon as general regulations and an invariable pay shall be determined on relative to the petty Officers Midshipmen Seamen ordinary Seamen and Marines you will be duly provided with the Same as far as is requisite to the discharge of your duties. I am &c Sir War Office 27^th December 1797 [Capt J. Nicholson] I have received your letter of the 17 on the 25^th inst Congress being in Session no appointments of Commission Officers for the Frigates can be made but by the President with the consent and Advice of the Senate in the usual way. The Gentleman you have employed cannot therefore be considered in Service or entitled to the pay and emoluments provided by Law. With respect to warrant and petty officer appointments of the former, and Authority to employ the latter will be forwarded to you as soon as their Services are Known to be indispensable and the Ships so far completed or taken in consideration to receive her Crew and prepare for Sea. In the meantime I shall expect that no more persons will be employed to assist in taking care of the [undecipherable] than those are absolutely indispensable — You mention twenty: This is a much greater number than has been required for the Ship United States when Selected as the Constitution now is —? You will be pleased to inform me at what pay Marines may be enlisted without bounty, and the wages at which a Crew of Seamen can be engaged and in what time the complement of both can be completed I am &c War Office 4^th January 1798 [Capt John Barry] Sir 'Till such time as permanent regulations can be matured and established by the President respecting the government of the Navy you will be pleased to have the Officers and Seamen Mustered monthly while in Port and regular muster rolls made out Alphabetically and signed by the persons appointed to muster them, as well as by the Commandant of Marines for the Marines, and the acting Lieutenant and yourself for the Seamen — Colonel [undecipherable] is to muster the Marines as are expressed on [undecipherable] the Seamen — You are requested to direct the first Muster to be made as soon as possible, and mention to me a proper person to muster the Seamen that orders may be taken accordingly All expenses for provisions while in port are to be provided on their muster Certified by the Lieutenant of Marines the acting [undecipherable] and your own signature — The contractor is to furnish rations conformably to the 9 Section of the Act providing a Naval Armament I am