[War department James McHenry July 25 — 1797 [undecipherable: probable reading] [verso notation: James McHenry / July 25 — 1797] [notation: Instructions to M^r Humphreys and / for the [undecipherable] trans [undecipherable] / [undecipherable]] War department M^r Joshua Humphreys Naval Constructor Southwark — [notation: [undecipherable] [undecipherable]] Sir War Office July 25. 1797 You will be pleased to proceed forthwith to the Navy Yard at Baltimore, in Maryland, and in conjunction with Cap^t. Truxton and M^r David Stodder the Constructor, consult on the best method to be pursued in Launching the Frigate Constellation into the Water, so as to float, without sustaining injury by the operation. It may be proper for you to survey the state of the Ship as she stands on the stocks, observe with what descent the heel is laid, and also sound the depth of water at several distances from the wharf, you will also examine the depth of Mud where she may come in contact with it, and ascertain whether its consistence be such as to endanger, or injure, the Ship in her progress thro it. I have also to request that you will be pleased to state to this Office as soon as possible whether it will be proper to completely copper the Bottom of said Frigate on the stocks, or to have her done after she is launched to perform that work — I am Sir with great respect your Ob^t Ser^t. James McHenry M^r Joshua Humphreys Naval Constructor