[M^r James Hacket. Naval Constructor.] [Circular –] Sir — W. O. May 19. 1795. I enclose for your information the letter of M^r Humphreys the Constructor at Philadelphia dated the 16^th instant & his table of the timbers of the frigates which he proposes to have cut & fixed in the manner he describes.— I repeat once for all that if any objections to his ideas on this particular subject or relative to the construction of any other parts of the frigates occur I request & expect that you will timely communicate them.— Unacquainted with the theory & the practice of Ship building I can give directions only upon the information of those who are versed in one, or the other or in both. For this reason I desire a free communication of the opinions of all the Gentlemen concerned in building the frigates, trusting that this will promote their improvement & perfection. [M^r Joshua Humphreys] W. O. May 20^th 1795 If M^r Humphreys has any remarks to make on the inclosed letter of M^r Stodder he will be pleased to communicate them. When letters arrive from other builders they will be handed to M^r Humphreys. The Secretary of War has desired all the builders freely to communicate their ideas; trusting that the result will lead to the improvement & perfection of the frigates. M^r Humphreys will return the inclosed & any other original letters which may from time to time be sent for his perusal & remarks. [M^r W^m Pennock] Sir W. O. May 14^th 1795. The bearer is M^r Joseph 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. M^r Fox's good character & professional skill, render him a valuable acquisition to the U. S. & I beg leave to recommend him to your attention.— The absence of M^r Morgan who was destined to construct the frigate to be built at Norfolk in Virginia, has induced me to send M^r Fox to that place as an Assistant Constructor, & who will be able to direct with certainty the application of the draughts & moulds in fashioning all the timbers & building the ship.— [Circular to the Naval Constructors] Sir War Office May 29^th 1795. It is probable that in providing the timber for the frames of all the Frigates some errors may unavoidably take place. Some timbers may be redundant & some deficient. Hence I have been induced to adopt an idea of M^r Humphreys of transmitting to M^r Morgan a table showing what timbers had actually arrived in each yard, & what were still wanting. Such a table is now inclosed, with all the squares blank for you to fill up & return to me. I shall then forward a copy of it without delay to M^r Morgan in Georgia. You will take notice that the squares marked with the letter C are intended to show the lot numbers which are to be of red cedar.— If more timbers of one kind are arrived than are wanting in your yard, you will insert in the proper square the true number instead of I. The squares you leave blank will be understood to show that such timbers are yet wanting. [M^r David Stodder] W. O. May 26. 1795. Your letter of the 19^th was sent to M^r Humphreys. He has answered it with the observations which you will see in the inclosed copy of his letter of this day.— You mention your model of a scarph which you think may be improved on when compared with others. You will oblige me by sending the model or a clear drawing of it to the War Office.