constructed were not prescribed without much inquiry & deliberation, & the advice of well informed Men. The plans & directions therefore, which have been adopted by the Department of War & communicated to the several Constructors are to be exactly followed. But if in the progress of the Work, it should appear, that any alterations & improvements may be advantageously introduced, they must be proposed, with the reasons for them, to the Department of War, & receive its sanction previous to their being adopted by the Constructors. — [Circular / to the Captains of the Frigates.] Sir 16. 4. March 31. 1795. Captain Truxtun who is appointed to command one of the frigates of the United States, has presented a copy of his book entitled "Remarks, Instructions & Examples relating to the latitude & longitude &c." with an appendix on the Masting of Ships, for each of the other Captains of the Navy of the U.S., which he has requested me to transmit to them. One for you accompanies this letter. — I also enclose to you a copy of a letter from Cap.^t Truxtun containing some remarks on an English book which [undecipherable] received & put into his hands. He wishes that the subject of Masting &c. of Ships might engage the attention of the gentlemen in particular who are engaged in our Navy; & that they would compare his principles & proportions with the dimensions of the Masts & yards prescribed by M.^r and the author of the English book before mentioned, and that their observations might be communicated with a hope, that these may lead us to some useful improvements. — Having [undecipherable] I have now imparted the same for your consideration & request that you will favor me with such observations as shall occur to you on the [undecipherable] proposed. — P.S. It may be well to consult the Constructor & other Gentlemen acquainted with the subject, that your observations may be the result of the fullest information & examination, of which the case will admit.) [M.^r W.^m Doughty] Sir in [undecipherable] April 14.^th 1795. I am directed by the Secretary of War to inform you, that it is his request that you will in future, receive any timber or plank, purchased by the Naval Agents for the Frigate building under the direction of M.^r Humphreys at the usual places of delivery whether at the upper or lower end of the city. — And it is also to be understood as a part of your duty as Clerk of the Yard to aid the Constructor whenever he shall have occasion of your services in copying any papers which may respect the Frigate. [I am &c.] [undecipherable] name [D.ⁿ Stagg jun.^r] [M.^r Forman [undecipherable]] Sir to. April 14. 1795. On the 19^th of last [undecipherable] the Secretary of War wrote a letter to M.^r Flagge the Agent in the Frigate building at New York, directing some alterations in the construction as originally [undecipherable: instructed]. A copy of that letter is enclosed for your Government respecting those alterations. the draft you will have received from the Agent. — M.^r Humphreys has seen your or M.^r Flagge's letter to M.^r Francis mentioning the size of live oak intended for the [undecipherable] transom & the upper floor timber [undecipherable] for their use. He thinks the upper floor piece from the description quite [undecipherable] but the transom piece of sound good wood & it will want twenty inches [square] & he thinks will answer very well. This you will be pleased to ascertain immediately & to inform the Surveyor M.^r Francis.