that which remains after supplying the wants of the Frigate building at Boston can be spared on your return. It being probable that no other timber will be reserved for future use, than the largest and finest pieces of live Oak, such as is procured with difficulty, and at great expence, and that will receive no injury by being kept; you will of course in your distribution of it, keep this in view, and so place the rest that it may be offered for sale without disturbing the other. I shall take into consideration in the mean while, a new yard for the timber at New York. [M. Norman Chessman] Sir, War Office July 25. 1796. As the fastening, arranging and securing of the timber, and seeing it safely transported from where it now is to Corlears hook, will require much care and attention, and as it will chiefly repose on you to have it done, I agree to allow you for compensation, five hundred dollars for the present year. I rely upon you to carry the instructions which M. Fox will furnish you with into effect with as much oeconomy as possible. [M. Cheesman pay / answered 14 July 96 / by order of Secy of War] [M. Josiah Fox] Sir, War Office July 25. 1796. From the circumstances you state of the advantage 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. Chessman to secure 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. Chessman with a copy of my instructions to you, so far as concerns the removing and depositing of the timber, and with a copy of that part of my letter of the 22^d relative to the same subject for his government; and direct him to proceed in executing the same as expeditiously as possible. When you have managed this business, you may proceed to Boston and Portsmouth. [M. Norman Chessman] Sir, War Office July 30. 1796. I have received your letter of the 29^th inst informing me of M. Fox's departure for Boston. I had written M. Fox on the 25^th, not expecting that he would have left New York so suddenly, either to engage the yard at Corlears hook, or to request you to secure it at a rent not exceeding two hundred and seventy pounds New York currency per annum. You will be pleased therefore to engage it for the United States at the said rent; and to proceed to execute the orders you have received or may receive from M. Fox relative to fastening, removing and securing the timber. I will request Capt. [undecipherable] to deliver the Navy yard back into your keeping. [M. John Blagge] Sir, War Office August 8. 1796. M. Fox has written to me that he had selected from the timber at New York, eighteen pieces of live Oak for Baltimore, and sixty pieces for Boston. I shall thank you to have them shipped as soon as may be for their respective places of destination. M. Chessman will point out to you the several pieces to be forwarded. [George Claghorne] [the same to David Foster] Sir, War Office August 10. 1796. It is considered necessary that the main rail bolts, the lower deck bolts to be laid in the upper deck of the Frigate building by you for the United States, should be of copper of the size as before directed; if no copper bolts for the upper timbers can be procured of the proper size, they may be wrought from the cuttings of some of the large bolts split and rounded