[Letter from Josiah Fox req my opinion on the Plank Wales &c for the Frigate at Norfolk, for the use of the Secretary at War — Dated 28 Oct. 1795] [Joshua Humphreys Naval Constructor Southwark] [flourish] Esteemed Friend                   War Office Oct. 28^th 1795 The Secretary of War Requests you will give your opinion on the Subject of the Frigates Plank that is building at Norfolk) [interlineated: undecipherable] as the Contractors gave me an expectation of their complying with any direction that might be sent them from the Secretary of War, for the purpose of altering the contract provided the Secretary of War would allow them to cut the planks shorter than the former contract expressed, which was "not less than 60 feet" and parallel Breadth, & their Objections to cutting them of such great length, proceeded from the Difficulty of procuring the Trees to cut them of [undecipherable] without their being of such Size as to render the transporting them to the Sawmill very laborious and expensive; and the quantity of Plank cut bearing no proportion to the Size of the Trees, as a very great waste must unavoidably happen — If you think any alterations can be made to remove the Difficulties that may impede procuring the Planks they may ultimately tend to benefit the Contractors, and at some time expedite the tonnage, which is of great consequence — another Objection started was, they could not transport them down [undecipherable: probable reading "James"] River to Norfolk in Rafts and they will be under the Necessity of Stowing them [undecipherable: probable reading "athwartships"] on two Vessels lashed together as they cannot possibly stow them with safety on one Vessel if they could be ordered of 40 feet and upwards and the Plank for Bottom and Ceiling to be as broad as the trees will allow" I have no doubt but it will remove every difficulty, and put the contract in such a way that every part may be speedily complied with — and remain Respectfully &c Josiah Fox —