[2.71 a] 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 Yards 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 literally carried into effect. I am Sir [Capt. Thomas Truxtun] 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 the Instructions as the nature of the Service may require I am Sir [Mr. David Stodder] War Office 30 July 1797 Sir [Capt. Thomas Truxtun ...1797] Mr. Bur[k]e called at the Office that from so engineer of his assistance would be necessary to fix the fum in the Constellation. The Secretary of War being unwilling to add any unnecessary [undecipherable] to the Naval Service but however he much obliged to you for Such information as may be requisite that he may be enabled to Judge of the Expediency of M^r Burkes going to Balt^o on that Service. I am Sir