War Department, Feb^y 8^th 1794 Conformably to the request of the Committee of the house of Representatives, I have endeavoured to form an Estimate of the probable Expence which would be incurred in erecting the Sea Ports that have been enumerable new, moved or erected. I fix the present concept of the Estimate that the Parapets of the Batteries and Redoubts should be formed of Earth, as the cheapest Material and the Embrasures lined with two inch Plank. The Masonry of a compleat fortification would have enhanced the Estimate to an enormous degree. Added to these where the Earth is of a tenacious nature and is properly sloped and sodded would make such a Parapet secure enough, or sufficiently so as not for its duration, or its defence. But in some places Earth may not be obtained at all or not of proper quality. In such places Brick or Wood may be used according to the circumstances of the occasion. In such places where Batteries may be often Situated on points of Land distant from the Towns intended to be defended, such Batteries ought to be covered with redoubts or enclosed works, in which the Garrison should reside, either in Blockhouses or Barracks as may be judged most expedient. These Redoubts ought to be of such Extent as would contain four or five hundred Men, in case a marine Enemy should make his appearance with Land Troops. A Blockhouse would answer the Redoubt as well as the usual four sided enclosed on ground to be curtained therein, who would be able with such a Work as a Blockhouse to resist a sudden enterprize