[2 71 a] [Captn Thomas Truxton] War Office 30^th November 1797 Sir It being judged proper that an Inventory Should be taken of the Timber planks &c that will remain in the Navy Yards after the completion of the Constitution, I beg you will be so kind as to assist the Clerk in performing this Service with your advice and see that his orders are steadily carried into effect. I am Sir [Mr David Stodder] War Office ^the 30 November 1797 Sir Having instructed the Clerk of the Navy yards to take an exact Inventory of the Timber planks &c that will remain after the completion of the Constitution and being of opinion such Service cannot be performed without your advice and assistance in executing this instructions as the nature of the Service may require I am Sir [Captn Thomas Truxton] War Office 30 July 1797 Sir M^r Burke called at the Office [undecipherable] to enquire if his assistance would be necessary to fix the [undecipherable: probable reading "guns"] in the Constitution. The Secretary of War being unwilling to add any unnecessary [undecipherable: probable reading "expense"] to the Naval Service will [undecipherable] be much obliged to you for such information as may be requisite that he may be enabled to judge of the Expediency of M^r Burkes going to [undecipherable: probable reading "Balt."] on that Service. I am Sir [Page 274 ZXA06]