Boston Aug^t 28^th 1797 Dear Sir I make no doubt but it will be gratifying to you, after so long and tedious a struggle to find we are in a fair way to finish and complete the Frigate building here, w^ch be assured will be a very Complete Ship, we are making every preparation for launch, at the next New Moon, at w^ch time I should be very glad to have some Officers to take Care of the Ship. I should be much Obliged to You if you will cause to be sent me A lieutenant, the Master, Boatswain, Gunner, and A Marine Officer with a guard — I expect the Secretary of War will give the necessary [undecipherable] and proper orders on your Mentioning the Matter to him, likewise to tell him we have only 2 lower anchors, those will answer to Moor the Ship with, but a third is necessary as a spare anchor in case of an accident. Especially at this particular Season. for the for the Want of Water we cannot haul into any Wharf here without injuring our [undecipherable], She will allways at then Wharfs, take the ground at low Water. We have only ab^t 100 Tons of Kentlidge Sent us from N York, pray how much do you take for your Ship, I should wish for 100 Tons more. our round 24^th Shot Sent us from Springfield are very bad, they are very ruff with holes, and in the diameter some of them 2/5^th of an Inch larger than others. Our Masts, Yards, Rigging, Sails, Gun deck guns, Water Cask, &c &c, will be all ready to go on board the day after we Launch. I expect we shall be all hands very busy on the Quarter deck and forecastle the latter end of this week, Pray Sir can you give me any tidings of our Cannon for those decks. I expect the Gun deck will be Completed, and the bowsprit on the day after tomorrow, our Copper to lightwater mark is completed and Nailed off, braces and [undecipherable] [Cont^d] Carved work, for Taffarel, [undecipherable] Galleys, &c is all in hand Gen^l Jackson, I would write to you for information Resp^ct Entertainment at our Launch, as you have already gone through this business, you can best advise. We expect the Honor of the Presidents Company I hope the Constellation is safe in the Water — I am dear Sir — with due Respect Y^r Obed^t H^ble Serv^t Sam Nicholson [address panel:] John Barry Esq^r Philadelphia [endorsement:] 1797 28 Aug [undecipherable: Nicholson?] [undecipherable]