[270ω [undecipherable]] M^r Boyd Van Wyhan Clk. Navy Yard [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] War Office November 27 1797 Sir Your having been appointed as Clerk to the Navy Yard Philadelphia, it may be proper that you pay close attention to the additional instructions following. In the first place you will carefully examine all the books proper to be kept in the Clerks Office on account of building and equipping the Frigate United States, and in case there should appear to be any Omission in the said Books, or any articles entered erroneously you will correct them without any cost — Secondly, you will be particularly careful in the examining of all accounts of articles received into the Navy Yard & issued therefrom, and as soon as you have fulfilled this part of your instructions you are to make out a complete return of every article received into the Navy Yard and from whom, and what articles have been issued and to whom since the commencement of the present building which said return you will deliver to Samuel Hodgson Esquire Superintendent of Naval and Military Stores and a copy of the Same to the Secretary of War. Thirdly, you will also make out one exact Statement of what articles remain on hand belonging to the Public of every denomination whatsoever particularizing their by name, Length, Breadth, and thickness together with the number of Superficial feet they Contain, & Weight. Also what Buildings may have been erected & of what materials they are composed and their dimensions. A Statement you will be pleased to deliver to Samuel Hodgson Esquire and a Copy thereof to the Sec^y of War.