[Mr Humphreys] III. Dear Sir Ab. 10 May 23 1795. The Secretary of War directs me to transmit for your perusal [&] to be returned with such observations in writing as you may think proper to make the enclosed letters of the 20^th & 22^d Ultray, from [undecipherable] Cheesman the Constructor of the Frigate at New York. (signed) Jas. Hogg. jun. [to John Morgan] 4. Ab. 6. May 23 1795 Inclose a table showing the timbers already received in the Navy yard at Philadelphia. The vacant squares show what timbers are yet wanting for the Frigate building by Mr. Humphreys. — The several constructors are anxious to obtain their timbers; in some of the yards they have already nearly worked up all the timber that has arrived, & if more does not arrive in a few days, many of their hands must be discharged. I have understood that you have been unremitted in your exertions to procure & forward the lumber. — Mr. Humphreys says that he has already forwarded a list of the timbers wanted in his yard, but he has since found that some of them received will not answer their destined uses. The inclosed table you will consider as showing exactly what are now deficient. The following he mentions as of the most immediate necessity in his yard, towit: The pieces of Deadwood to connect the Stem with the Keel — & those to connect the Stern post with the Keel. — The Lower piece of the Stem, and; The timbers to complete the after cant & square frames. — [cold. Carbury] Sir, War Office June 10 1795 — Mr. McHydsen has shown me your letter to him of the 25 of May, manifesting a disinclination to render him monthly instead of quarterly returns. Your reason is that your instructions from the late Secretary of War prescribe only quarterly returns; and you suppose the Salary fixed was calculated on that that idea; and therefore that the clerks should not be required to do three times the duty originally intended. — On this I will observe, that if the making of returns constitutes, as your words import, the principal part of your duty, your Salary is given on very easy terms; and that for the service rendered, you are better paid than any officer of the United States. But there is certainly much more to be done by a Clerk of a Navy yard, and the making of returns must form but a small portion of his duty. — I have further to observe that Mr. Hodgdon being the Superintendent of military Stores and of all moveable property of the United States that has any relation to War is comprehended in that term, has a right and it is his duty, to call to account all persons to whom the same may be intrusted. These are the words of the law. And he must call for accounts and returns of property to be rendered at such times as the due arrangement of his accounts requires. And it is to be presumed that he will not call without reason. — This information I trust will satisfy you that the returns demanded by Mr. Hodgdon are to be rendered, & that without delay. —