[James & Joseph Sterrett, Balt^o] War Department 27 Apr^t 98 Gent^s I have the honor to transmit herewith an appointment for Cap^t Thomas Cole to take charge of the Navy Yard &c at Baltimore. In case he accepts this Appointment you will be pleased to deliver the enclosed order to a M^r Isaac Garrison to put him in charge of the Navy Yard and all the articles of public property at present in his keeping, for which he is to give him the requisite receipts — [Capt Tho^s Cole, Baltimore S] War Department 27^th April 1798 Sir Mess^rs S. & J. Sterrett having represented you as a suitable person to take charge of the Navy Yard and property therein deposited at Baltimore — I therefore agree to allow you 400 Dollars per Annum, as a full compensation for performing such Service — In case you accept, M^r Isaac Garrison will deliver to you all the public [strikethrough: [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable]] be properly [strikethrough: [undecipherable]] [strikethrough: [undecipherable]] [undecipherable: Baltimore] property in that yard, which is in his keeping on your giving him duplicate receipts for the same — It is expected that you will pay the strictest attention to the Property