Portsmouth Feb^y 18^th 1798 Dear Sir, As Col^o Thompson is on his way to Philadelphia I take the opportunity of writing you a few lines to enquire of one thing, is by doing one of the publick line the Building a few Small Frigates 16 to 20 Gun Ships may be built here with the New England timber in the yard with addition of Crooked timber, which may, be easily procured, — I hope that Government will make Col^o Thompson some further allowance as he will suffer by attending the Frigate So long, he has had all the trouble of fitting manning and every thing else lay upon him — I assure you he had very little help from the officers the whole depended on his exertions to get her manned then if you can be of any service to him pray do every thing in your power I am Sir y^r Friend & H^bl Ser^t James [Hackett?] [BBI11]