[The cover page shows a folded document wrapper with docket text written sideways, largely illegible due to image quality. Fragmentary readings suggest: "Report of the [undecipherable] / [undecipherable] of the [undecipherable] / Fortifications / [undecipherable] / 1796"] State of the Fortifications. Portland in the District of Maine. The works consist of a Fort, a Citadel, a Battery of [undecipherable] pieces of Cannon, an Artillery Store, a Guard House, and two Furnaces for heating Shot, and are covered [undecipherable] from the Fort to the Artillery. The works are substantially executed, [undecipherable] the covered way; the embrasures [undecipherable], the earth on the Fort [undecipherable] has been equally with the necessary [undecipherable] of [undecipherable] estimated at four hundred Dollars. Levelling the earth [undecipherable] the works, [undecipherable] the land, [undecipherable] expenses for the well [undecipherable] the [undecipherable] works and [undecipherable], the whole [undecipherable], this estimate is [undecipherable] hundred and [undecipherable] Dollars in the whole [undecipherable] hundred and [undecipherable] Dollars. Portsmouth, New Hampshire. The works consist of the first, a Citadel, an Artillery Store and a small battery. These are all completed, effecting little [undecipherable] works, [undecipherable] and [undecipherable] may cost about fifty Dollars. The [undecipherable] and unforeseen [undecipherable] must [undecipherable] to carry the [undecipherable] from the Magazine and may cost [undecipherable] hundred Dollars. Gloucester (Cape Ann) The works consist of [undecipherable] a Battery and a Citadel. These were [undecipherable] effecting [undecipherable] the Fort [undecipherable] the [undecipherable]. The Cost is estimated at one Thousand [undecipherable] Dollars. This however may be postponed till Circumstances require it [undecipherable] the [undecipherable]. Salem. The works consisting of [undecipherable] Citadel [undecipherable] have been erected. [undecipherable] remains to be made and some repairs to the [undecipherable]. Marblehead. A Battery and a Citadel [undecipherable] have been erected. Any other works may be constructed until Circumstances shall change. Newport in Rhode Island. For the defence of this Harbour, there have been erected on [undecipherable] Island a Fort or Citadel and [undecipherable] Furnace. The excellency and importance of this Harbour in times of [undecipherable] recommends a further [undecipherable] even for the different [undecipherable]. To render the Fort [undecipherable] Artillery Stores, and [undecipherable] and a more complete Fortification are [undecipherable] [undecipherable] is estimated at [undecipherable] Dollars [undecipherable] Thousands Dollars These [undecipherable] also been erected a Citadel on the [undecipherable] for the protection of the [undecipherable], and a Battery and Guard House [undecipherable] at the Northern End of the Island, to keep open communication with the means in Case of [undecipherable] [undecipherable]. Both these [undecipherable] effectively, the Communication [undecipherable] Citadel [undecipherable] other erected on [undecipherable] position commanding [undecipherable] Battery and [undecipherable] Ferry. The Cost [undecipherable] is estimated at [undecipherable] fifteen hundred Dollars. New London. The works consist of [undecipherable] Fort [undecipherable] Citadel on the Golden [undecipherable] of the Harbour and a Fort or Citadel and [undecipherable] Furnace on the New London [undecipherable]. They remain incomplete. [undecipherable] present Circumstances or small [undecipherable] more [undecipherable] to [undecipherable] what has been done. New York. Governor's Island has been fortified with a fort made of earth and two Batteries [undecipherable] with [undecipherable] Masonry, [undecipherable] Furnaces, [undecipherable] Furnaces, [undecipherable], Magazine, and a Barracks for the Garrison; the whole [undecipherable]. [undecipherable] is estimated at [undecipherable] Dollars [undecipherable] Thousands Dollars Philadelphia. Along [undecipherable] the foundation for a Battery [undecipherable] opposite [undecipherable] Island [undecipherable] [undecipherable]. A [undecipherable] on [undecipherable] Island has been erected, the completion [undecipherable] is [undecipherable] much more circumscribed than was at first [undecipherable]. The expense is estimated at fifteen thousand Dollars Wilmington in the Delaware State. Nothing has been done. The project of erecting a Fort there has been abandoned as useless. Baltimore. A Battery and Barracks have been constructed and some Guns are mounted. Annapolis. Some progress had been made in the construction of a Planned Battery, and a Barracks has been erected. An examination of the works by an Engineer, other than the one first employed; [undecipherable] a report of the plan of the works; and in almost all Circumstances induced a [undecipherable] of them. — A similar report as to the plan and situation of the Works. Alexandria. [indented to [undecipherable] [undecipherable]] Norfolk. Two forts intended to cross their fires are erected on the opposite Sides of the Harbour. The one on the [undecipherable] Side with Barracks and a powder Magazine is completed. The other fort Nelson, on the Portsmouth[?] [undecipherable] is in very [undecipherable] advanced; and a powder Magazine has been erected. The principal work remaining to be done is the opening [undecipherable] completing one Ditch of three hundred and [undecipherable] feet long, cutting another eleven hundred feet long, [undecipherable] the [undecipherable] and removing the earth from within [undecipherable] of the Fort which is in low [undecipherable] and half [undecipherable] high. The expense of doing this and completing the fortifications may be estimated at five thousand Dollars. Ocracocke, in North Carolina. The defence proposed was to erect a Fort on [undecipherable] Island. The foundation was laid in 179[undecipherable]. The [undecipherable] is so far removed (about ninety Miles) from any inhabited Lands and is exposed to all [undecipherable] to [undecipherable] from storms, that [undecipherable] but [undecipherable] or actual war would seem to authorize the construction of a Fort there and [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable]. [undecipherable] as a further [undecipherable]. Wilmington, in North Carolina. The Battery on the [undecipherable] of the Fort has been completed, and a Barracks and powder Magazine have been erected. George Town, South Carolina. A Battery was begun and Materials collected, when the works was[?] suspended, the owner of the land [undecipherable] drawing to ascertain the Terms on which it was to be occupied for the Fortification and for the [undecipherable] of Communication with [undecipherable]. The [undecipherable] of the Situation and other Circumstances [undecipherable] the works until War actual or impending shall require it to be resumed. Charleston, South Carolina. The works planned for [undecipherable] Island, of which the foundation only was laid in 1794, being on a Scale [undecipherable] too extensive for the funds destined to this Service, was directed to be left as it was. For the same reason, a new Works proposed by the Engineer on a [undecipherable] the opposite [undecipherable] of the harbour from fort Johnson was not attempted. A Battery has been erected in the Town by the Mechanics. There remained only Fort Johnson on which [undecipherable] [undecipherable] were given to make such repairs as would [undecipherable] the works already constructed and render them serviceable. The Engineer omitted the work. The Officer in command at the Fort has undertaken to make the necessary repairs of the works and Barracks; and his intelligence and exertion[?] leave no room to doubt but these will be done. Savannah, in Georgia. The works consists of a Battery, of [undecipherable] destined only for [undecipherable], made of timber filled with earth and enclosed round with Pickets, with a Guard House for the Garrison, which were in train to be completed [undecipherable] last Autumn. S^t Mary's in Georgia. The work consists of a Battery made of timber filled with earth and enclosed with pickets. By the personal Report of the Superintendent [undecipherable] must have been completed. General Remark. The few ports of the highest importance to the Commerce of the United States, in Situations to demand for their Security, Fortifications of such kinds and extent as cannot suddenly be erected, prudence may require to have fortified in time of peace and with durable materials. War Office Jan'y 16. 1796. Timothy Pickering To the President of the Senate of the U. States.