This Department, Feb^y 1^st 1794. [41.] Conformably to the request of the Committee of the house of Representatives I have endeavoured to form an Estimate of the probable Expences which would be incurred in securing the Sea Ports that have been enumerated from insult or surprize. For the general principle of the Estimate, that the Parapets of the Batteries and Redoubts should be formed of Earth, as the cheapest Material, and the Embrasures faced with two inch plank. Were Masonry to be contemplated it would have enhanced the Estimate to an enormous degree. Indeed, at places where the Earth is of a tenacious nature and properly sloped and sodded inside and out, a Parapet formed thereof, is as durable, as well for its retention as its defence. But in some places Earth may not be obtained at all or not of proper quality. In such places Stone or Wood may be used according to the cheapness of the material. In all places where Batteries may be upon Islands or 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 secure the Redoubt as well as the small Garrison intended in general to be contained therein, who would be able with such a Work as a Blockhouse to resist a sudden enterprize. If the Garrison should be enlarged, tents must be used. Nothing has been mentioned of Casemates or Bomb-proofs excepting for the Magazines because such Works are expensive and useful only in case of a siege when it would be necessary to call forth such a portion of the Strength of the Country as would be able to repel the Invasion. As the number of Cannon which the United States are now insufficient for the Object under consideration, it has been conceived most proper to bring into view heavy battering Cannon which may have as great effect altho' the Expence will be thereby enormous when compared with lighter Artillery. I may be proper to place in the respective Batteries Mortars, Howitzers and light field Pieces. Of these no Estimate or means are as a considerable number are already in possession of the United States. It is hoped that the view herein given of the Subject although not in all respects precise, will be upon a satisfactory State. But the Construction and Execution of the Works will require in the highest Talents, judgment and economy. If there should be any further explanations required of the Committee, they shall be cordially given upon a report with the Execution of which, the safety and dignity of the American People are intimately blended. I have the honor to be Sir, Your obedient Servant, H Knox Sec^y of War The H'ble M^r Fitz Simons [Enclosure/s] An Estimate of the probable expence of fortifying the following harbours in such manner as to prevent insult or surprize Portland Maine Batteries for 24 pieces of heavy cannon Cost of the formation of a parapet of earth for 24 pieces Dollars 350.- The facing of 24 embrasures at 14.99 each 359.52 The expence of 24 platforms at 25.75 each 618.- A Redoubt constructed of a form to be adapted to the nature of the ground to be equal to an hundred feet square 650. Embrasures and platforms for four field pieces 160.92 A Magazine formed of timber and covered with earth 200.- A Blockhouse or barracks to hold fifty men 300... For pickets, palisadoes, and to provide for articles and accidents difficult to foresee or enumerate 500.- Carried over 3737.94 Brought over 3737.94 Portsmouth New Hampshire Batteries for twenty four pieces The same expence 3737.94 Salem Batteries for twenty four pieces The same expence 3[undecipherable: 737.94] Boston Batteries on Governor's Island for twenty four pieces The same expence 3737.94 Castle Island 60 pieces Taking into consideration the probable existing state of the works, it is supposed that the whole might be put into tolerable repair for 10000 17,475.88 Newport Expence of the formation of batteries on Brenton's point, for fifteen pieces 148.75 Facing fifteen embrasures, at 14.98 224.70 Expence of fifteen platforms at 25.75 386.25 Redoubt 650.- Magazine 200.- Blockhouse or Barracks 600.- Contingencies 500.- And^s forward 2929.70 Carr^d forward 24,951.76 3. Brought forward 24,951.76 Brought forward 2929.70 Goat Island 20 pieces To put the works in order 5000.- 7929.70 New London Two setts of Batteries and Redoubts one on Groton and one on the New London side each of twenty four pieces the same as at Portland 7[undecipherable: 475].88 New York Battery hook twenty four pieces the same as at Portland 3[undecipherable: 737].94 Governor's Island forty eight pieces [undecipherable: 4]406.88 It is now not submitted whether batteries ought not also to be erected at the south part of New York known by the name of the battery of 24 pieces and one of the same number at the north, and another on the East River. If so the whole number of pieces would be 144 — but the expence of the Redoubt would be saved, and the whole expence might be estimated at twenty thousand Dollars — 8786.16 20,000.+ Carried over 60[undecipherable: ,657].34 4. Brought over 60,657.34 The River Delaware Reedy Point 24 pieces, the same as Portland 3737.94 Mud Island additional to the present expence 5000.- But it is submitted whether Billings-port ought not also to have a battery of 24 pieces in which case the expence would be the same as at Portland 3737.94 And also two batteries of each twenty four pieces at the city, the redoubt deducted 6[undecipherable].88 5651.76 Baltimore Two setts of Batteries and Redoubts 7[undecipherable: 475].88 Norfolk The same 7[undecipherable: 475].88 Wilmington North Carolina The same as at Portland 3[undecipherable: 737].94 But it is submitted whether Ocraoke Inlet ought not to be fortified, and on account of the distance from support to be garrisoned with fifty men — If so the expence may be estimated at 3737.94 And^s forward 101,436.74 5. Brought forward 101,436.74 Charleston To be fortified with seventy two pieces of heavy cannon which may be divided into three setts of batteries & redoubts 11212.32 Savannah Two setts of Batteries and Redoubts 7[undecipherable: 475].88 Dollars 120,124.94 The number of heavy cannon required for the beforementioned places Portland 24 Portsmouth 24 Salem 24 Boston 48 Newport 35 New London 48 New York 144 Delaware — Reedy point 24 Billingpoint 24 Mud Island 40 The city 48 136 Baltimore 48 Norfolk 48 Wilmington 24 [undecipherable] 24 46 [undecipherable] Carried over 665[undecipherable] 6. (Brought over 663) Charleston 72 Savannah 48 [undecipherable: 168?] The number which ought to be procured from the public Stores 150 Supposed may be furnished by the twelve States, but cannon would require to be new mounted 150 — 300 To be provided 165 For 500 Estimate of the expence of 500 heavy battering cannon with the carriages and implements. 250 twenty four pounders each weighing two tons — 500 tons at 80 dollars P ton 40,000 250 thirty six pounders each weighing three tons — 750 tons at 80 dollars P ton 60,000 It is probable if the metal be excellent that the above guns may be made one tenth lighter than the above stated weight. 500 Garrison carriages for the above with implements at 60 dollars 30,000 Carried forward Dollars 130,000 7. Brought forward 130,000 150 carriages & implements for the cannon which are supposed may be furnished by the respective states at 30 dollars 75,000 The expences of mounting the 150 cannon supposed to be furnished from the public arsenals are already estimated in the general estimate of the War Department for the year N°94 550 tons of 24 pound ball at 20 dollars 22,000 900 tons of 36 pound d^o at d^o 36,000 The expence of the powder is not estimated as a considerable quantity is in possession of the public as will appear by the Returns — For non enumerated articles, such as paper for the cartridges, portfires, slow match, drag ropes, gins, large carriages to [strikethrough: move the] cannon from place to place, and all contingencies relative to the artillery 10,000 For transportation of cannon and shot from the public arsenals and also from the furnaces where a part will be cast, to the several fortifications stated in the foregoing estimate 10,000 Four Engineers to be employed 6 months to construct and direct the works with the pay subsistence and forage of Lieu^t Colonel Commandant 2,745 Dollars 2[undecipherable: 15],745 8. If the several works should be garrisoned in ordinary by a part of the cannon of the United States now in service, there are already estimated in the general estimate of the War Department in the year 1794. But in order to save references thereto the number of the members or troops proposed are specified. It could not escape notice that the proposed troops are not Artillery or Infantry. It is however supposed that some of the artillery officers or men might be used on the present occasion and that part of the Infantry officers might be chosen for the purpose, who would soon require a tolerable Band of knowledge in the use of cannon. Summary of the foregoing Estimates Fortifying the several enumerated harbours 120,124.94 Expence of 500 battering cannon to be purchased with carriages and implements, ball, transportation of cannon and ball pay &c of Engineers, and all other contingencies relative to the artillery, 218,245. - Dollars 338,369.94