[War Office / James McHenry] FREE M^r Josiah Steele Portsmouth New Hampshire [Postal notations in right margin. Endorsed at lower right: Rec'd. Oct 13. 1796 / anther of 1^st] War Office Sept. 13. 1796. D Sir I do myself the pleasure to enclose you two letters from your friend. The letters which have been sent to M^r Hacket I suppose have given you information respecting the building of y^e frigate at Portsmouth you will therefore please to excuse me from writing on that Subject as a mighty press of business engrosses my whole time. The Yard which you had in view at Coerlaus hook I believe M^r Cheesman was disappointed in getting, but I believe he has procured another — M^r Clagborne has been here from Boston- he obtained some pieces from M^r. Humphreys. he set out this morning for Baltimore and Norfolk and has authority to select and forward all such pieces at those places as will suit for his Ship (except such as may be wanted for Tructons) till we hear from him I suppose no orders will go for shipping any Timber from Portsmouth. You will excuse this Scrawle as I am in a great hurry and the post is just ready to depart I am Yours & [signature]