[Capt Sommb Nicholson] War Office August 7^th 1797 Sir, Your letter of the 31 Ult^o was received last Friday. I immediately wrote to M^r Pennies to let me Know what Stores he had purchased for your ship and in answer he informed me all the Additional Stores were in a train of being completed. The Rope, Top and Rigging in Low Stores have been made some time and the reason of their not having been Sent to Boston, was owing to the want of Bolts or Ironballs for the lights, therefore it will unnecessary to have any remade in Boston. The Slowballs that were Sent to Boston were made here for the Hygiene Frigate, without any order having been given for that purpose and Shipped before I knew any thing about them, and as I knew they would not be wanted at Portsmouth they were consequently ordered to Boston — I am &c. Josiah Fox