Navy Yard 21 August 179[?] Sir, I have considered Col^o Cleghoms letters of the 9th July and 7th of August, with attention, and am of opinion that if none of the timbers were less than the directions, sideways, they may be put in the ship, if in every other respect they are good and not too great a deviation from the dimensions; in this I would recommend discretionary power with M^r Cay[?]. The objections that were stated to the strength of pine beams, were no cause why they were made one inch larger than at first intended; the dimension of the pine was never altered for the Oak, and as reducing the size of the Oak will tend to durability, I conceive there will be no impropriety in making them 15 by 17, which is only halften inch larger than Col^o Cleghorne wishes, the others in the same proportion. (signed) Joshua Humphreys The Hon^ble Timothy Pickering Esquire. [M^r Josiah Fox No^rth Virginia.] War Office August, 27, 1795. Sir Your two letters of the 14 & 18 inst. and the enclosures have been received. The Secretary of War has no objection that you visit Philadelphia; you have his permission accordingly. Your pay will be sent by tomorrow post to Col^o Carrington the Supervisor at Richmond who will forward it to you without delay. (Signed) John Stagg Jun^r