[War Office May 13 1795 on M^r Humphreys Methods of preserving the frigates Beams] War Office May 13^th 1795 Sir, The inclosed copies of letters from M^r Humphreys dated, one the 31 of December 1794 and the other February 7^th 1795 contain information and opinions meriting the attention of all the Constructors. If any idea suggested by M^r Humphreys should appear to be erroneous, I must request you to inform me thereof with the reasons of your contrary opinion. If no objections shall be stated, it will be expected that the ideas of M^r Humphreys, being deemed just, have been adopted. His proposition for preserving the beams, seems practicable only where an entire piece composes a beam. This indeed, I supposed was universally the case— I mean that each beam was formed of one stick of timber— until it was intimated that such timber could perhaps not be obtained in every district where a frigate is to be built. I hope however that such timber will be found I am respectfully Sir Your obedient Servant. Timothy Pickering Sec^y of War M^r Josiah Fox