To George Washington from James McHenry, 13 July 1796
From James McHenry
War office 13th July 1796.
Sir.
I do myself the honour to inclose you the directions given to Mr Fox one of the clerks of the department of war, and well skilled in the quality of ship timber and construction of vessels of war relative to an examination of the materials on hand and such a disposition of them as may comport with the safe keeping of such as may be useful in future, and such as may be fit for the vessel contemplated for the mediteranean service. They have been approved of by the Secy of State and Secry of the treasury.1 With the greatest respect, I have the honour to be Sir Your most ob. st
James McHenry
Secy of war
ALS, DLC:GW; LB, DLC:GW. GW received this letter on 16 July (see his letter to McHenry, 18 July).
1. In the enclosed instructions to Josiah Fox, dated 12 July, McHenry directed him “to proceed to New York, Portsmouth in New Hampshire, and Boston.
“The general objects of your Journey to these Towns are:
“1st To examine, assort and arrange into distinct parcels the Shiptimbers and Planks, the property of the U.S. in the different yards in New York, Portsmouth and Boston.
“2nd To examine into the State of the Naval Stores at those places, and procure for them greater protection and security where wanted.
“3rd To obtain from the principal Ship builders of New York, Portsmouth and Boston, upon what terms, and within what time they will agree to build a 36 Gun Frigate of the dimensions described in sketch A.”
Fox then received detailed instructions for sorting the timber and was told to obtain written estimates from the shipbuilders based on different ways to procure or value timber and plank (DLC:GW).