[Docket: The L^r of May 12. M^r Sewall / April 7. 1798 — Respecting the [undecipherable] Troops / [undecipherable] for [undecipherable]] [Main body text largely undecipherable] Mill. [undecipherable] for [undecipherable] [undecipherable] The [undecipherable] are [undecipherable] for [undecipherable] War Department 7^th April 1798. Sir. The fortifications on the Sea Board, upon which monies have been expended, in pursuance of the Acts of Congress of the 20^th March and May the 9^th 1794, are as follows. At Portland in the District of Maine, a Fort, Citadel, Battery, an Artillery Store, Guard house and Air furnace for heating shot. At Portsmouth (N. Hampshire) a Fort, Citadel, Artillery Store, and Reverberatory furnace. At Gloucester (Cape Ann) a Battery, and Citadel. At New Port (Rhode Island) on Goat Island, a Fort, Citadel, Barracks and Air furnace; on Tammany Hill: a Citadel, and at Godslands Ferry a Battery and Guard house. At New London, a Fort and Citadel on the Groton side of the harbour, and a Fort, Citadel and Air furnace on the New London side. At New York, Governors Island, a Fort, two Batteries, two Air furnaces, a large Magazine and Barracks. At Philadelphia, on Mud Island, a Fort, Battery, and Citadel. At Baltimore (Maryland) a Battery and Barracks. At Annapolis, a Fort and Battery with Barracks. At Alexandria, some commenced works. At Norfolk (on the Norfolk side) a Fort with Barracks, and a Powder magazine, (on the Portsmouth side) a Fort and Powder Magazine. At Ocracock: North Carolina, the foundation of a Fort. At Wilmington, a Battery, Barracks and Powder magazine. At George Town (South Carolina) a commenced Battery. At Charlestown, some works on Sullivan's Islands, and on James's Island Fort Johnson. At Savannah (Georgia) a Battery, and Guard House. To keep these works, in number twenty four, from becoming useless, and the military stores, necessary to endow them in a constant state of fitness for service, may require in time of peace, about thirty men, upon an average to each, or 720 for the whole. The Corps of Artillerists and Engineers by establishment consists of 992 non commissioned Officers and privates, of which number it is deficient about 250. How is it distributed? There is stationed in the Forts upon the Sea Board. Viz: At New Port 33. At Governors Island 36, At Fort Mifflin 80, At Baltimore 53. At Norfolk 34. At Fort Adams, N. Carolina 12, At Charlestown S. Carolina 30, making a total of 278. The residue of the Corps is stationed on the Interior frontier, with the exception of about 80 at West Point. If we suppose the 250 men deficient in the Corps, take enlisted, and employed on the sea board, it will give 528, to that service, which deducted from the 720, the above spoken of compliment for the fortifications, leaves 192 to be pro- vided for by law. But the men wanting to complete the Corps to its establishment, will be required to fill up the Companies on the interior frontier, consequently ought not to be calculated upon for the Sea board. There will therefore be wanted for the maritime fortifications, for the aforesaid purposes 442 non commissioned officers and privates, in addition to the existing establishment. You will be pleased to observe, that this addition to the establishment, can be considered, as no otherwise referring to a State of War, than as it would serve to keep the maritime forts, with their artillery and military stores, in a situation to be immediately useful in case of war. It is desireable, that the recruiting service for whatever force may be determined upon, as proper in the present conjuncture, be commenced without delay. As Cavalry may be thought necessary, especially in the Southern part of the Union, There subjoin an estimate for six companies or one regiment, another for one regiment of Artillerists and Engineers, and a third for one regiment of Infantry. With great respect. I have the honor to be Sir, Your obedient servant. Samuel Sewall Esq^r James McHenry Chairman of the Committee &c &c. Secretary of War