[M^r Josiah Fox] War Office July 14. 1796. [Sir] You will please to make inquiry of the places where, and the terms on which the following articles can be obtained viz: [undecipherable] Masts, [undecipherable] — 37 Inches diameter [undecipherable] Bow spit — 21 Inches diameter 1800 Pine Planks 1500 (White) Oak Planks } [undecipherable] long [undecipherable] thick 200 pieces of Pine Scantling [M^r Thomas Sherman] War Office July 18. 1796. [Sir] M^r Fox has received orders to have the timber plank, and all materials and articles necessary to the Navy yard at New York conveyed, [undecipherable], and properly disposed of to safe keeping. As little more attention will be necessary except in case of removals or sales after this occasion, than seeing from time to time that every thing remains in its proper place, and that no injury is done to the materials — Thefts committed by their being improperly exposed, or from the places where kept being illy secured. — I should presume that three hundred dollars [undecipherable] would be a sufficient compensation for the discharge of such duties. If you will take that sum you will please to acquaint me and to give to M^r Fox such aid as he may require in his examination and valuing of the timber &c. [M^r Josiah Fox] War Office July 22. 1796. [Sir] I have received your letter of the 18^th and [undecipherable] Instant. I am inclined to think that after selecting the timbers wanted for the Boston Frigates, it will be attended with no disadvantage to proceed to Boston and Portsmouth previous to arranging the timber in New York. [Post]