War Office January 12, 1798 Sir, Orders have been some time since given to the Quarter Master General at Pittsburg, to build two Gallies intended for the protection of our posts on the Ohio and Mississippi, and are now under draught by the Naval Constructor, M^r Humphreys, forwarded to him, by to days Mail. I wish you to examine [undecipherable] draught, and are to give such instructions to the Quarter Master, from time to time respecting facilitating the work, as may be proper, and should you conceive any further alterations in the plan of the Gallies would render them more compleat and useful, I request you to mention them, that they may receive the consideration of the Constructor, in time to profit by them — I am Sir, with respect Your obt Servant James McHenry [undecipherable] M.M.