[Capt. Sam. Nicholson Boston] Sir War Office January 7^th 1796 I have received your letter of the 28 ult^o and am very sorry that the Schooner destined for Baltim[ore] with live Oak timber did not proceed thither. This failure deranges business. I expected according to the information of your letter advice from Gen. Jackson on the subject: but none has yet come to hand. As the timbers in point of thickness for the Belgian frigates may Answer, yet in length it may be less eligible for those of [undecipherable] guns. The Owner of the Schooner it is conceived is under obligations to land the timber at Baltimore - and it is possible that this may be yet required - At present however Postpone a decision - Perhaps on the [undecipherable] I shall hear from Gen. Jackson - In the mean time and until further orders, you will not suffer a stick of this Cargo to be sent -