[James McHenry]
Sec^y of War

N^o 4

War Office May 14^th 1795

Sir

The Bearer hereof is M^r Josiah Fox who for near a year past has been employed in the Navy Department in this City assisting M^r Humphreys the Constructor in making the Draughts & Moulds for the Frigates. He is handsomely Spoken of by M^r. Humphreys who thinks there are few Men in this Country equally qualifyed in this line — Mr Fox’s good Character & professional skill render him a Valuable Acquisition to the United States & beg leave to to recommend him to your Attention

The absence of M^r Morgan, who was destined to Construct the Frigate to be built in Virginia has induced me to send M^r Fox there as an Assistant Constructor, & who will be able to direct with Certainty the application of the Draughts and Moulds in fashioning all the Timbers and Building the ship

I am Sir respectfully
Y^r most Ob^t Serv^t.
Timothy Pickering

M^r. W^m Pennock Copy

War Office May 14^th 1795

Sir

The Bearer hereof is M^r Josiah Fox who for near a year past has been employed in the Navy Department in this City assisting M^r Humphreys the Constructor in making the Draughts & Moulds for the Frigates. He is handsomely Spoken of by M^r. Humphreys who thinks there are few Men in this Country equally qualified in this line — Mr Fox’s good Character & professional skill render him a Valuable Acquisition to the United States & I beg leave to to recommend him to your Attention

The absence of M^r Morgan who was destined to Construct the Frigate to be built in Virginia has induced me to send M^r Fox there as an Assistant Constructor, & who will be able to direct with Certainty the application of the Draughts and Moulds in fashioning all the Timbers and Building the ship

I am Sir most respectfully
Your most Obedient Serv^t.
Timothy Pickering

M^r. W^m Pennock