[283] War Office 11^th December 1797 Sir [M[undecipherable] W[undecipherable] Simmons] You have already had annexed on the 7^th inst. two pay Rolls signed by Captain Barry, and Lieutenant M'Ree 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 hereon on that Subject, and for that particular case — As soon as general regulations and an invariable pay [undecipherable] will be determined — relative to the petty Officers Midshipmen Seamen ordinary Seamen and Marines you will be duly provided with the Same as far as requisite to the discharge of your duties. I am &c War Office 27^th December 1797 Sir [Cappt. J. Nicholson] I have received your letter of the 17 on the 25 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 Gentlemen 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 Ship so far completed as to take in consideration to renew her Crew and prepare for Sea. In the meantime I shall expect that no more atters will be employed to assist in [undecipherable] care of the [undecipherable] than