[Illegible Text — Some or all of the pages of this file are wholly or in part illegible. We have not been able either to locate a better copy of the document, or to enhance its legibility electronically.] Portsmouth (N.H.) Sep: 19^th 179[undecipherable] Sir I by this evenings post received a letter from Capt. Nicholson dated Boston 18^th in answer to my request of last week to remind the Congress of her promise to give her [undecipherable] for the Masts, Spars &c., but says [undecipherable] Congress would not engage to deliver them the [undecipherable] transit in [undecipherable] with you. I have requested Mr [undecipherable] to procure a Conveyance for the few pieces of Live Oak that are intended to be sent from this Navy Yard to Boston, but he finds there is no vessel at present in this ports Suitable or can be engaged for that [undecipherable]. Secretary of War — [undecipherable] [undecipherable]