[Addressed: M^r Josiah Fox / Naval Constructor / Philadelphia] [Docket: Portsm. N H / 20 June 1797 — / Jacob Sheafe —] M^r Josiah Fox Portsmouth June 20^th 1797 Dear Sir I duly rec'd yo^r fav^r of the 5^th of April & was sorry to find the whole of said cloth & Cordage for the Algerine Frigate were purchasd in Phila & think the extra freight [undecipherable] must run them much higher than if purchasd in Boston & as you were kind enough to [undecipherable] to mention my having those articles for sale [I] think their not taking them for this quarter must be owing to some of our Anti federal friends — I observd what you mention respecting Ship [undecipherable: probable reading "building"] & thought the price to L^t Hacket [undecipherable] $45 [undecipherable] ton for the Algerine Frigate was great; our W^ood Timber is from 6 to 9 [undecipherable] the planks are oblige to saw by hand which makes [undecipherable] run not very high therefore I cannot give you much encouragement on that score — I have been informd that M^r Thompson has written for discretionary leave to take Timber & plank from our Yard just as he might see fit & [undecipherable] he have leave you can judge those things as going — L^t Hacket Launched the Algerine Frigate [undecipherable] she runs of pretty [undecipherable] & [undecipherable] & looks very handsome she is haul'd to Langsons Island Wharf I am informd Thompson & Hacket had some considerable altercation at Launching Thompson tried to batten the Business & wanted Hacket to keep her on 10 or 12 days longer; but & Hacket having his work pretty well completed insisted on launching her — L^t Hacket sent over for me to go to launching & gave me this information I did not interfere in the matter — I have been obligd to supply the Boston Frigate with a great number of her principal Knees & Beams & a considerable Quantity of thick Oaks [undecipherable] & W^ood Timber — two large Schooner load have lately gone round Indeed I know not what they c^ould have done had it not been for our Yard — I am informd Capt. [undecipherable] of [undecipherable] port is to Command the Algerine Frigate he was a Master or a prisoner in Algiers some time & I believe has been used to navel Vessels ever since 1776 — I wish a line from you on receipt of this or as soon as convenient & should any thing new turn up please to advise me — With Esteem & Respect I am Your Obed^t Hum^bl Serv^t Jacob Sheafe [M^r Quincy has been obligd to attend the grand jury day [undecipherable] hundred [undecipherable]. I hope his salary will be increas'd — $400 is but a poor maintenance]