[268] [for] [undecipherable] Near Downingstown 16 Oct. 1797 [Capt. Thompson Portsmouth] My nephew M^r John M^cHenry wrote to you by my order during my indisposition under date of 14 of Sep^t atta a copy of which is annexed I flatter myself this letter has been duly received and has had the effect intended. [for] [undecipherable] Near Downingstown 16 Oct. 1797 [back Frances] I enclose you an extract of a letter from Capt Nicholson dated the 9 instant. I beg you to inform me whether the complement of Anchor for his Ship is ready. If so you will be pleased to take immediate measures to have them sent to Boston. If not, I beg you to lose no time in urging the Contractor to finish them & to forward them when finished. I wrote you on the 3 instant. Have you received that letter and what progress has been made in complying with its requisition. Gentlemen War Office 6 Decem. 1797 [Holtz & Henrich [undecipherable] and agents to [undecipherable] Baltimore [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable]] It being judged advisable that a further Estimate for the Naval forces should be in readiness to lay before Congress early in the Session to meet any deficiencies that may happen, by reason of the last appropriation falling short of its object in several instances; and as it is presumed an estimate cannot in the present state of the Naval business be exactly ascertained without a reference to those persons most immediately concerned. It may therefore be proper to request