[Docketing: [undecipherable] N.H. / July 1. 1797– / James Hackett] [Address panel: M^r Josiah Fox / Philadelphia] Salem, feb. 1^st 1797 Dear Sir I wrote you on the 30^th of [undecipherable] I came [undecipherable] on the stonework the door has [undecipherable] to [undecipherable] a [undecipherable] upon were [undecipherable] on with the frigate at the [undecipherable] of the [undecipherable] has been great [undecipherable] at [undecipherable] all our [undecipherable] I have them nearly all in the [undecipherable] and [undecipherable] over her [undecipherable] from New York the greater part of which are very good. We have got in our [undecipherable] 14 2^nd [undecipherable] and nearly all the 3^rd We hire and all [undecipherable] are all [undecipherable] except two pair [undecipherable] by hoisting The [undecipherable] is on, and the [undecipherable] is ribbands to the Gunnel which comes very [undecipherable] I expect to have her completely [undecipherable: timbered] by the [undecipherable: 1st Inst.] I intend to get on the Wales and two streaks under them and then put in the lower deck beams which will be done by the middle of March. I have twenty five men now employd & shall soon have larger numbers. My Mast maker is now at work who will have the mast work completed by the launching of the ship. [undecipherable] & [undecipherable] I intend to push every part of the business so that the ship shall be launched agreably to Contract You will please to send me the deck plan of the Frigate [undecipherable] as well as [undecipherable] the beams of the [undecipherable] & [undecipherable] and please to [undecipherable] me the draft of the [undecipherable] and inform me which will be most agreeable either to [undecipherable] or [undecipherable] the Gunnals – – am Sir with respect your sincerely friend James Hackett P.S. the appointment of Col. Thompson as Superintendant is very pleasing to me as he is a man very capable of that business My respects to M^rs Fox and Family – and my best regards to M^r Humphries Josiah Fox