[Fox Esq^r] War Office 1 March 1798 M^r Bowers having applied this morning for the loan of 2 pieces of Bilgeway and a plank 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 engage 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 James Fox War Office 1 March 1798 — Sir There being more Howitzers in the Navy yard at Boston than is probable will be wanted for the Constitution, you will be pleased to inquire 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 Nicholsons determination by post. I am &c War Office 14 March 1798 — Sir I have the honor to transmit herewith the Letters of resignation to the Commissioned Officers for the Constitution in which I beg you will be so obliging as to transmit to those Gent for whom they are directed. I am in daily expectation that the Warrant Officers will be appointed every preparation is going forward here to get the Naval business in a train of actual Service the translation for the guns & 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 Congress have not as yet fix [M^r J. Humphreys] [M^r J. Hieskison Clk N^y] [Gen^l H. Jackson] [Capt S. Nicholson]