those are absolutely indispensable — You mention twenty: This is a much greater number than has been required for the Ship United States where [undecipherable] at this institution 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 Sam^l [undecipherable] War Office 4^th January 1799 [Capt John Barry] Sir Till rules for permanent regulation can be matured and adopted by the President respecting the government of the navy, you will be pleased to have the officers and Seamen mustered monthly. The muster and regular muster rolls made out alphabetically and signed by the person appointed to muster them, as well as by the Lieutenant of Marines for the Marines, and the acting Lieutenant and yourself for the Seamen — (Should [undecipherable] be to muster the [undecipherable] officers are [undecipherable] with [undecipherable] the Seamen —) You are requested to direct the first muster to be made as soon as possible, and [undecipherable] a proper person to muster the Seamen that orders may be taken accordingly. All requisitions for provisions while in port are to be presented in three copies. Certified by the [undecipherable] [undecipherable] the acting Lieutenant and your own signature — The contractor is to furnish rations conformably to the [undecipherable] of the Act providing a Naval Armament. To