[seal] 10 [M^r Josiah Fox + Naval Constructor Portsmouth] [Boston Sept. 19. 1796 Captⁿ Nicholson] [a rece. at Port[undecipherable] 6 Sept. 20^th [undecipherable]] Boston Sept^r 19^th 1796 Dear Sir, I rec'd Yours of the 9^th Inst. am glad to hear M^r [undecipherable: probable reading Sheafe] has rec'd a letter with orders from the [undecipherable] Secretary of War to send Your live Oak timber to us we shall be glad to receive it as soon as possible, — We have not rec'd the Timber from Philad^a. yet. I expect it now on the Passage. I rec'd a letter from Col^o [undecipherable: probable reading Claghorn] Yesterday. [undecipherable] me he had Shiped us on [undecipherable] A Schooner that Sailed the 12^th Inst. 90 p live Oak. 30[undecipherable] and 22 p^s for [undecipherable: probable reading Orlop] deck beams. The timber [undecipherable] rec'd was from N. York 77 pieces. +, I am glad the Contract for building the Frigate for the dey of Algiers is Completed with [undecipherable]. Col^o [undecipherable: probable reading Claghorn] [undecipherable: probable reading left] Philad^a the 10^th Inst. for [undecipherable: probable reading Baltimore] or Norfolk, in [undecipherable: probable reading Pursuit] of live Oak Timber. The [undecipherable] Seems determined to See what [undecipherable] is to build his Frigate with before he quits — M^r [undecipherable] says he would not engage to deliver You the 32 [undecipherable] Masts in less than one Year. I am with Respect Your Hble Serv^t Josiah Fox Esq^r [undecipherable] Sam[ue]l Nicholson