[W. J. Humphreys] [W. J. Holdham] [Elk n.y.] Sir [Gen?] War Office 1 [undecipherable: prob. Feby.] 1798. Mr. Bowers having applied this morning for a loan of 2 pieces of Bilgeway and 1 plonck to enable him to launch the vessel building by him for the Dey of Algiers The Secretary of War desires me to request that you will be pleased to let him have them on these conditions that he receipts for them and engages to return them to the Navy Yard as soon as done with, free from injury of any Kind but that should any injury be done them he is to make good the same by order Jonah Fox [Genl. H. Jackson] Sir War Office 1 [undecipherable: prob. Feby.] 1798. There being more Howitzers in the Navy Yard at Boston than is probable will be wanted for the Constitution, you will be pleased to enquire of Captain Nicholson the number he may wish to have for his Ship and the remainder I wish to have transported immediately to Philadelphia to the address of Tench Frances Esquire I beg the favor of Capt. Nicholson's determination by post I am &c [Capt. S. Nicholson] Sir War Office 14 March 1798. I have the honour to transmit herewith the Letters of notification to the Commissioned Officers for the Constitution which I beg you will be so obliging as to transmit to those for whom they are directed. I am in daily expectation that the Warrant Officers will be appointed every preparation as going forward here to get the Naval business in a train of actual Service the [undecipherable] for the good discipline of the Navy is ready to be printed and I expect the commissions will be shortly issued to the officers appointed at which time their rank in the Navy will be established. [Correspond the offs after?]