The frigate is now building in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and is expected to be finished in the spring. Captain O'Brien returned to Lisbon, where he arrived on the ---- of July. Colonel Humphreys had advantageously negotiated bills on London for $225,000. This sum was embarked on board the Sophia, and, on the 3d of August, Captain O'Brien set sail for Algiers. He has not since been heard of, and there is room to fear that some misfortune has befallen him. The money was insured at a small premium, against the danger of the seas; against all risks they demanded so high a premium as Colonel Humphreys judged it inexpedient to give, seeing the Sophia was a vessel of the United States, having a special passport from the President, as well as a passport in the Turkish language, under the seal of the Dey of Algiers. Such arrangements have been made by Mr. Barlow and Mr. Donaldson, at Algiers and Leghorn, as will doubtless insure the payment of the $400,000 originally expected from the latter place; and the same house have become engaged to the Dey and Regency for the residue of the money due as the price of peace, without which he would not agree to the redemption of the captives. The Secretary of the Treasury estimates these further sums to be provided to fulfil the terms of the Treaty $255,759 For two years' annuities to the Dey 99,246 To which are to be added the 10,000 sequins promised by Mr. Barlow and Mr. Donaldson, mentioned in their letter 18,000 And the expenses of the captives performing quarantine at Marseilles, and transporting them to America, estimated by the Consul at Marseilles, at about 6,500 ------- 379,505 On the 31st ultimo I received a letter from Mr. Barlow, dated the 13th of July, informing that the agent, Mr. Famin, at Tunis, who had been recommended to him by the French Consul Herculias, had concluded, with the Bey of that Regency, a truce for six months, from the 15th day of June last, and that without any presents. TIMOTHY PICKERING, _Secretary of State._ DEPARTMENT OF STATE, January 6, 1797. WEDNESDAY, February 22. _Mediterranean Powers._ The bill for making appropriations to defray the expense of negotiations with Mediterranean powers, was also read the third time. The provisions of this act, (which has been the subject of the various discussions which have lately taken place with closed galleries) are to the following effect: