[Copy] War department March 28. 1794 Sir [strikethrough: I have] the [undecipherable] directed annexed [undecipherable] to [undecipherable] you [undecipherable] in order [undecipherable] and [undecipherable] afford to [undecipherable] the attention herewith to transmit [undecipherable] the inclosed copy of a law lately to the fortification of the [undecipherable: ports] and harbours therein mentioned. And as [undecipherable] [undecipherable] the plans the [undecipherable] and an [undecipherable] approximate [undecipherable] of the works may of great [undecipherable: importance] to [undecipherable] effectually [undecipherable: executed] the President of the United States [undecipherable] [strikethrough: Captain] [undecipherable] as [undecipherable] or Commander in Chief of the Militia would [undecipherable: please] there upon the [undecipherable: great] [undecipherable: direction] of [undecipherable: forming] the Engineer with as [undecipherable: soon] as possible he [undecipherable: appointed] he as [undecipherable] directed [undecipherable] prepare a [undecipherable] [undecipherable] plan of the works to [undecipherable] consideration [undecipherable] [undecipherable] your [undecipherable: approbation] [undecipherable] there [undecipherable] put into a form of an [undecipherable] estimate [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] the [undecipherable: Engineer] and it be [undecipherable] as [undecipherable: soon] in order to obtain the necessary materials & workmen the number of men and Cannon designed for [undecipherable: Charleston] and [undecipherable: Georgetown], and also the number of the [undecipherable: troops] to be [undecipherable: stationed] at those places, with [undecipherable] be [undecipherable: communicated] [undecipherable] If the [undecipherable: State] of South Carolina is in [undecipherable: possession] of [undecipherable] [undecipherable: good] [undecipherable] Cannon, [undecipherable] and [undecipherable] be [undecipherable: calibre] of [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable: called] be appropriated to the fortifications within the said State, a return of them is requested together with the condition of their carriages and [undecipherable: apparatus] in order that the [undecipherable: necessary] repairs [undecipherable] be [undecipherable: furnished] without delay. [undecipherable] a good [undecipherable] and [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] I have the [undecipherable: honor] to be [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] with great respect your [undecipherable: most] obedient [undecipherable: humble] [undecipherable: servant] H Knox Sec^y of War His Excellency the Governor of South Carolina