Department of State July 14. 1796. Sir, The following are the articles about the procuring of which it is desirable that M^r Fox [strikethrough: may] make enquiry, as to the places where, and the terms on which they can be obtained. 60 masts, 90 feet long, 32 inches diameter, 110 spars, 80 feet long, 20 inches diameter, 1500 pine planks } 44 feet long, 6 inches thick, 1500 oak planks } 200 pieces of pine Scantling. I suppose pine planks should be hard pine. No breadth is mentioned in the stipulation for planks, nor any dimensions for the pine Scantling. The oak planks should doubtless be of white oak. It may be practicable to procure some of the Spars, plank and Scantling without delay; and it is much to be desired that at least one Ship load may be obtained to be sent to their destination the ensuing autumn. — If some of the planks were shorter and some longer, so as to average 44 feet in length, I should imagine the purpose would be answered. Your ob^t Serv^t T Pickering The Secretary of War. [Endorsed: N^o 4 / Department of State 14 July 1796 / T. Pickering / Secretary of State / Mast Plank &c. places where / and terms on which they can / be procured to be enquired into]