17 (K.) Mr. JOSIAH FOX. Sir, **Y**OU will be pleaſed forthwith to proceed to New-York, Portſmouth in New-Hampſhire, and Boſton. The general objects of your journey to theſe towns, are—1ſt. To examine, aſſort, and arrange into diſtinct parcels, the ſhip timbers and planks, the property of the United States, in the different yards, in New-York, Portſmouth and Boſton. 2d. To examine into the ſtate of the naval ſtores at thoſe places; and procure for them greater protection and ſecurity, where wanted. 3d. To obtain from the principal ſhip-builders of New-York, Portſmouth and Boſton, upon what terms, and within what time, they will agree to build a 36 gun frigate, of the dimenſions deſcribed in ſketch (A.) You will arrange the ſhip timbers and planks according to the following claſſes. *Claſs*, No. 1, will comprehend the number of pieces of live oak at the reſpective yards, fit for the frigates whoſe building have been ſuſpended, and excluſive of the pieces requiſite for thoſe under conſtruction. In this claſs, as well as in all the other claſſes, you will aſſort the timbers or planks agreeably to their names and uſes, viz. floors, futtocks, knees, &c. ſpecifying the exact number of each. *Claſs*, No. 2, will comprehend the number of pieces of live oak ſuitable for the frigates building or ſuſpended, but which may be uſed in the conſtruction of the frigate, ſketch (A.) *Claſs*, No. 3, will comprehend the number of pieces of live oak unſuitable for any of the frigates, including ſketch (A.) by reaſon of defects or other cauſes—noting thoſe cauſes. *Claſs*, No. 4, will exhibit,—1ſt. The number of pieces of white oak ſuitable and wanted for frigate, ſketch (A.) 2d. The number of pieces unſuitable, and not wanted for the frigates under conſtruction, or for frigate, ſketch (A.) *Claſs*, No. 5, will exhibit a ſtatement of the plank in each yard arranged according to their thickneſs, lengths, and kinds, viz. The kind and quantity wanted for frigate, ſketch (A.) excluſive of the quantity neceſſary to complete the frigate at Boſton. 2d. The ſurplus divided into its kinds. *Claſs*, No. 6, will exhibit the number, ſizes, and kinds of maſts and ſpars. It being contemplated to diſpoſe of the timber aſſorted under claſs, No. 3, thoſe under 2d claſs, No. 4, and the plank under 2d claſs, No. 5, and ſuch of the maſts and ſpars as may not be wanted, or would be injured by keeping, you will therefore endeavour to form an opinion of what theſe would probably ſell for, at the places where depoſited; and report the ſame. The timbers ordered from New-York, for the frigates building at Philadelphia and Baltimore, are to be excluded from your eſtimates. You are to ſee the timbers deſtined for future uſe, carefully piled up, as well as the timbers aſſortedfor frigate, ſketch (A.) and the whole protected againſt the weather, by proper ſheds; and againſt thefts, by incloſures. In piling it, care muſt be taken ſo to diſpoſe of that ſuitable for frigate, ſketch (A.) that it may be removed at any time without diſturbing the other. It will be proper alſo that you ſhould viſit the warehouſes, where naval materials are ſtored; examine the ſtate in which they are, and whether they are well ſecured; and take an exact inventory of the different kinds and quantity of each kind. In aſcertaining the terms on which the ſhip-builders at the towns you are to viſit, will contact to build a 36 gun frigate, conformably to ſketch (A.) you will require,—1ſt. Their terms for ſuch a frigate, they finding the timber and other materials. 2d. Their terms, the United States finding timber and plank. E --- 18 3d. Their terms, they taking the timber and plank fit for the purpoſe, at a valuation. 4th. That their propoſals be in writing, and the time they will finiſh her in, expreſſed. But to obviate delay as much as poſſible, you will on your arrival at New-York, obtain from one or more of the principal ſhip-builders, upon what terms, and in what time they will engage to compleat a ſhip of the dimenſions of ſketch (A.) and forward the ſame to the Secretary of War. You will alſo write to Portſmouth and Boſton, to the ſame purpoſe; ſtating the ſize and dimenſions, and requeſting them to forward to the Secretary of War their terms, and the time when they will engage to deliver ſuch a veſſel, of well ſeaſoned timber: Their terms, the United States finding the timber, or they taking it at a valuation, may be obtained afterwards. As it is neceſſary that there ſhould be reſponſible perſons appointed to take charge of the timber and naval materials, you will enquire for ſuch, report their names, and what they would conſider as a reaſonable compenſation. You will alſo examine into, and report, the progreſs made in the frigate building at Boſton, and the probable time when ſhe may be launched. I have directed a warrant to be made out in your favor, for three hundred dollars, to cover the expences attending your miſſion. It will be proper that you ſhould take vouchers or receipts for your diſburſements, to enable you to ſettle for this advance with the Accountant of the War Department. *Given at the War-Office, this* 12*th day of July,* 1796. JAMES M^cHENRY. (L.) *Statement of Materials, &c. on hand in the Navy Yard at Portſmouth, New-Hampſhire, arranged agreeably to the foregoing inſtructions.* CLASS, No. 1. | Names of Live Oak Timbers. | Moulded and dreſſed. | Remaining in a rough ſtate. | Total number. | |---|---|---|---| | Floors, | 18 | 10 | 28 | | 1ſt Futtocks, | 101 | 5 | 106 | | 2d Futtocks, | 94 | 20 | 114 | | 3d Futtocks, | 46 | 5 | 51 | | Top Timbers, | 105 | 27 | 132 | | Pieces of Partners, | none. | 17 | 17 | | Faſhion Pieces, | 4 | none. | 4 | | Tranſoms, | 5 | none. | 5 | | Knight Heads, | none. | 7 | 7 | | Fore { Upper Cants, | 4 | none. | 4 | | Fore { Lower Cants, | 9 | 4 | 13 | | Half Toptimbers, | 10 | none. | 10 | | Stern Poſt and inner Poſt, | 2 | none. | 2 | | Upper piece of Apron, | 1 | none. | 1 | | Stern (complete) | 2 | none. | 2 | | Stanſions, | none. | 3 | 3 | | Spare pieces, | none. | 42 | 42 | | | 401 | 140 | 541 | N. B. Eighteen pair of frames are completed, bolted, and ready for raiſing.