War Office August 13. 1796 Sir, I have received your letters of the 1. 2 and 4. ins^t M^r Hackett's proposals for building the thirty six Gun Frigate appear to be considerably lower than those of either M^r Cheesman or M^r Rich: but the time he would stipulate to launch her in is longer than could be wished. Be pleased to consult M^r Hacket to know whether he will not engage, in case his terms should be accepted, to launch the ship at an earlier day. M^r Cheesman proposes to deliver in ten Months. I am Sir Your obed^t Servant James McHenry, M^r Josiah Fox [Docket: War Office 13 aug. 1796 / Sec^y of War / Whether M^r Hackett will not engage to build the frigate for Mediterranean Service in a shorter time than 12 Mo^s. / ✗ answered] [Postal notation: Portion to / Reed. 19. August / 19[undecipherable]]