Navy Yard 21 August 179[5] Sir, I have considered Col° Claghorn's letters of the 9th July and 7th of August, with attention, 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 these I would recommend discretionary power with M° [undecipherable] The objections that were stated to the strength is, pine beams, were in 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 half an inch larger than Col° Claghorn wishes, the others in the same proportion. (signed) Joshua Humphreys The Hon^ble Timothy Pickering Esquire. [Mr Josiah Fox / Norfolk, Virginia] War Office August, 27, 1795 Sir Your two letters of the 14 & 16 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 tomorrows post to Col° Washington the Supervisor at [undecipherable] who will forward it to you without delay. (Signed) John Stagg Jun^r