[W. Isaac Garriston] War Office 30 November 1797 Sir As there will be a large quantity of Timber of various denominations remaining in the Navy Yard after the completion of the Constellation. I have to request that you will immediately take an exact inventory thereof particularising the same by name as follows Viz: Live oak Timber descript. length breadth thickness Cost White Oak Timber do do do do do White Oak Knees do do do do do White Oak Plank do do do do do Pine Plank do do do do do Spars Shores and Blocks do do do do do And in like manner all other pure Kinds whatsoever It may be proper that a separate inventory should be made of such as may be found defective or depreciating in quality. Captain Truxton and Mr Stoddert will be required to assist you in taking the aforesaid inventory which when completed you will transmit to the Secretary of War without delay. After this inventory has been forwarded you may proceed to take a general inventory of every article of Public property remaining in which you will include the Buildings &c [Capt Thomas Truxton] War Office 30^th November 1797 Sir It being Judged proper that an Inventory should be taken of the Timber Plank &c that will remain in the Navy Yard after the completion of the Constellation. 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 Strictly carried into effect. I am &c [Mr David Stoddert] War Office 30^th November 1797 Sir Having Instructed the Clerk of the Navy Yards to take an exact inventory of the Timber Plank &c that will remain after the completion of the Constellation, 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 &c [Capt Thomas Truxton] War Office 30^th July 1797 Sir Mr Burke called at the Office this [undecipherable] to inquire if his assistance would be necessary to fix the [undecipherable] in the Constellation. The Secretary of War being unwilling to add any unnecessary expence to the Naval Service. Would therefore be much obliged to you for such information as may be requisite that he may be enabled to judge of the Expediency of Mr Burke's going to Ball^o on that Service. I am &c