Navy yard 19 Oct 1791 Sir Since I saw you last evening I have considered your proposal of running the [undecipherable] & Futtlocks for the [undecipherable] to the [undecipherable] and am of opinion it will be attended with some difficulty, and perhaps be the means of retarding the business [undecipherable]. I am of opinion it would be the best and [undecipherable] those timber well receive great support from the [undecipherable] there will not be that necessity, and if I had no support but the strength of the timber And as the scantlin of all the timber is very good, those timber may be disposed of [in] such way, w[ith] [undecipherable] to the [undecipherable] side, easy to make good [strikethrough: shifts] of the timber, I wish you would explore the word "profile" and Introduce if can be conveniently had, at the same time calling the attention of the Master Builder. to the scantlin of those timber So many difficulties and delays has happened in procuring the timber, that no others ought to be thrown in the way without the most Absolute nec[undecipherable] I should wish you to call the attention of the Secretary to that part of Cap^t. Truxton's letter relating to the lines. that he may have an answer on that subject also I am with esteem your Friend Joshua [undecipherable: Humphreys?] [Address panel: M^r Jonah Fox / War Office] [undecipherable marginalia on left side]