[6^th Knox] Kensington May 12. 1794 Sir I have taken the liberty of making a few preliminary questions, which I should wish you to propose to the gentlemen whom you have invited to examine the model, if they would [undecipherable: give] me applications, and to request their answers — Also any other remarks — 1^st Whether long Ships require their extreme breadth as far forward as in proportion as shorter Vessels, and where is the proper place in long ships for the dead flat to be placed — 2 If the model has too much or too little raising, or whether it is too sharp or full forward and abaft 3 I find by M^r Fox draft he has laid his wales above the lower deck (I have laid my lower deck at the wale) — edge of the lower wale) his plan will make the ship look the best, my one [undecipherable: that] the strongest — [undecipherable: no] opinion on that subject 4 Their opinion on the proportion of the depth of hold to the Breadth of Beam — 5 Whether the fore body & after Body of the model are proportioned to each other — 6 And Whether the ship would not sail much faster without a Round house, and if all other [strikethrough: superior] advantages that would result from one, ought not to be sacrificed, for the grand purpose of fast sailing — The method we generally take to procure White oak timber & plank is by going or sending into the country to make purchase, we are often obliged to buy in small quantities, as the seller has to dispose of to suit us and the price agreeable; it will be more necessary in this season than in common cases now a certain quantity will be wanted and of a fixed size — [strikethrough: and] the being large, they cannot be got by one person: as the farming business advanced, no one person will neglect his [strikethrough: farming] to procure the wit neither do I believe they will make offer to the Treasury department therein The plank is of the utmost consequence to have it good, and the where the timber is the best, there the plank should be got if it should cost something more, persons may possibly offer to contract for it: from the information that I have, I have reason to believe the best Oak plank now may be had in the Delaware State, however on this subject I will inform myself better. As there is such a variety of timber and stuff wanted it will require a person of professional knowledge for a com there fore I would suggest the idea of employing a wharf wright for that because after he had made his purchases and had the stuff deliver'd the yard, he might be useful in the shipyard as he cannot be discharged untill the ship is compleated — Inclosed is the copy of the report of the commissioners for Building the Frigates last Ward wherein was a a Superintendent in each yard, which I am certain was unnecessary rendered no adequate service for his pay. A good Clerk a man of integrity would be fully competent to the business I am with much esteem & Respect your Friend Joshua Humphrey