[War Office Mr Josiah F[ink blot obscuring surname] Naval Constructor NewYork] War Office July 25^d 1796 Secy of War directing me to procure a Naval yard at NewYork agreeably to directions, sent Mr Cheesman copies of all necessary instructions relative to that yard. August 6 1796 Boston at Rec^d — 1, August — War Office 25 July 1796. Sir From the circumstances you state of the advantages of the yard at Corlears Hook it would appear to be most to the interest of the United States that it should be engaged. You will therefore either request M^r Cheesman to procure it or engage the place yourself at a rent not exceeding the sum mentioned in your letter of the 18^th. As soon as this is accomplished you will furnish M^r Cheesman with a copy of my instructions to you so far as concerns the arranging and assorting of the timber, and with a copy of that part of my letter of the 22^d instant relative to the same subject for his government, and direct him to proceed in executing the same as expeditiously as possible. When you have arranged this business you may proceed to Boston and Portsmouth. I am Sir your obedient servant James McHenry M^r Josiah Fox