[Copy] The Secretary of War to the Governor of Massachusetts, May 30. 1798. Sir, It is extremely desireable that all the Naval forces the United States can command, should be put into a State of activity as speedily as pos=sible. — Hitherto, and particularly by the failure of a contract, the Government has found it impracticable to procure the cannon requisite for the upper battery for the frigate Constitution at Boston. It has, however, lately been stated, that there were at Castle Island, in the har=bour of Boston, nineteen iron cannon of caliber to carry 18 pound shot, which from their length and weight appear to have been designed for Ships use, and to be improper for the embrasures of fortifications. That Cap^t Nicholson has seen and examined these cannon, & is very desirous to obtain them for his Ship. — By the direction of the President, I have therefore to request of your Excellency a loan of 14 or 16 of the cannon mentioned, and to offer on the part of the United States, an engagement either to return the same guns as soon as others can be provided for the frigate, or to replace them with guns equally good, and in the mean time, if desired, to order the same Number of 32 pound cannon from Pro=vidence to, and for the defence of Boston Harbour. It is presumed that the State of Massachusetts have had Ball, purposely cast for these 18 pounders; if so, and your Excellency will furnish with the cannon, a suitable quantity of shot, the United States will punctually and promptly return an equal quantity.