[61.156] Boston May 3^d. 1797 M^r James Hackett Potome. May 3. 1797 Dear Sir The frigate is now in considerable forwardness having her lower deck laid, celled up in the Hold & between decks up[per] deck b[eams] in [undecipherable], her bottom squared fit for Caulking. I shall set ten Caulkers to work next monday. I think there is no doubt but I shall be ready to Launch by the last of June . . . The following matter I wish you to state to the Secretary of War to wit Whether permission may be granted me to take some of the larger pieces of [undecipherable: probable reading "Maple"] Timber (say 20) which were procured for Launching ways for the other frigate to launch this frigate on by returning them again into the dock [undecipherable] from any damage whatever; and Should the old frigate go on the timber will be ready [undecipherable] for that use and [undecipherable] injured for any other use Should the Secretary see fit to grant the above request you will please to let me know as soon as possible . . . I am Sir your sincere friend & humble Servant James Hackett [My regards to M^r [undecipherable] / [undecipherable] M^r Humphries — written in left margin] M^r Josiah [undecipherable] [undecipherable]