17 (K.) M^r. JOSIAH FOX. Sir, YOU will be pleased forthwith to proceed to New-York, Portfmouth in New-Hampfhire, and Bofton. The general objects of your journey to thefe towns, are—1ft. To examine, affert, and arrange into diftinct parcels, the fhip timbers and planks, the property of the United States, in the different yards, in New-York, Portfmouth and Bofton. 2d. To examine into the ftate of the naval ftores at thofe places; and procure for them greater protection and fecurity, where wanted. 3d. To obtain from the principal fhip-builders of New-York, Portfmouth and Bofton, upon what terms, and within what time, they will agree to build a 36 gun frigate, of the dimenfions defcribed in fketch (A.) You will arrange the fhip timbers and planks according to the following claffes. *Clafs*, No. 1, will comprehend the number of pieces of live oak at the refpective yards, fit for the frigates whofe building have been fufpended, and exclufive of the pieces requifite for thofe under conftruction. In this clafs, as well as in all the other claffes, you will affert the timbers or planks agreeably to their names and ufes, viz. floors, futtocks, knees, &c. fpecifying the exact number of each. *Clafs*, No. 2, will comprehend the number of pieces of live oak fuitable for the frigates building or fufpended, but which may be ufed in the conftruction of the frigate, fketch (A.) *Clafs*, No. 3, will comprehend the number of pieces of live oak unfuitable for any of the frigates, including fketch (A.) by reafon of defects or other caufes—noting thofe caufes. *Clafs*, No. 4, will exhibit,—1ft. The number of pieces of white oak fuitable and wanted for frigate, fketch (A.) 2d. The number of pieces unfuitable, and not wanted for the frigates under conftruction, or for frigate, fketch (A.) *Clafs*, No. 5, will exhibit a ftatement of the plank in each yard arranged according to their thicknefs, lengths, and kinds, viz. The kind and quantity wanted for frigate, fketch (A.) exclufive of the quantity neceffary to complete the frigate at Bofton. 2d. The furplus divided into its kinds. *Clafs*, No. 6, will exhibit the number, fizes, and kinds of mafts and fpars. It being contemplated to difpofe of the timber afforted under clafs, No. 3, thofe under 2d clafs, No. 4, and the plank under 2d clafs, No. 5, and fuch of the mafts and fpars as may not be wanted, or would be injured by keeping, you will therefore endeavour to form an opinion of what thefe would probably fell for, at the places where depofited; and report the fame. The timbers ordered from New-York, for the frigates building at Philadelphia and Baltimore, are to be excluded from your eftimates. You are to fee the timbers deftined for future ufe, carefully piled up, as well as the timbers afforted for frigate, fketch (A.) and the whole protected againft the weather, by proper fheds; and againft thefts, by inclofures. In piling it, care muft be taken fo to difpofe of that fuitable for frigate, fketch (A.) that it may be removed at any time without difturbing the other. It will be proper alfo that you fhould vifit the warehoufes, where naval materials are ftored; examine the ftate in which they are, and whether they are well fecured; and take an exact inventory of the different kinds and quantity of each kind. In afcertaining the terms on which the fhip-builders at the towns you are to vifit, will contact to build a 36 gun frigate, conformably to fketch (A.) you will require,—1ft. Their terms for fuch a frigate, they finding the timber and other materials. 2d. Their terms, the United States finding timber and plank. E