[Copy of letters from the Secretary of War to Samuel Weeks] Copy of a letter from the Secretary of War to Samuel Weeks of Portland, dated "War department June 2, 1798." "Sir, "It has been suggested to me, that you can with convenience, and will chearfully give your assistance in such measures as the Government of the United States at present find practicable for the defensive protection of Portland. By a return in this Office, it appears, there are at Portland one 24 pound, one 18 pound and three 12 pound Cannon. I have ordered, in addition to these, from Providence, four 24 pound Cannon, and from Springfield, a proportion of Ball for the 18 and 24 pound Cannon. Ammunition will likewise be Ordered. Most, if not all these Cannon require to be mounted, you will therefore permit me to request; that, without delay, you offer to receive proposals, and to contract for as many Carriages as may be wanted to mount the Cannon now at the Fort and Battery, and also that no time may be lost, when they arrive, that you receive proposals and contract for the Carriage necessary to mount the four 24 pound Cannon ordered from Providence. You will be particular in the contract, to secure to the United States, well seasoned Timber, Iron work of proper Strength, that all parts of the Carriage be well finished, and that the work be completed in as short a time as possible. I assure myself you will obtain the Contract, upon the most reasonable terms. You will transmit me a duplicate of the Contract when entered into, that money may be forwarded to enable you to comply with it." --- Copy of a Letter from the Secretary of War, to Samuel Wicks, dated "War department 15 August 1794." Sir, Amidst the preparations for removing the Office to Trenton, become necessary by the existence of a contagious Fever in this City, I have only time briefly to instruct you; 1. To employ the labourers necessary, and immediately cause the repairs you suggested, to be made to the Works at Portland. The Troops will be substituted by Captain Stoddard, as they are inlisted and can be spared, from the recruiting service, in the place of the Labourers. 2. To cause a strong movable Platform to be constructed, for the purpose of removing a heavy Cannon to such place as may be best Calculated to employ it with effect against Enemies Ships." --- Copy of a Letter to from the Secretary of War to Samuel Wicks, dated "War department 5 September 1794." Sir, I have received your letter of the 25 August Ultimo. Captain Amos Stoddard has written to me, that the public building will not accommodate a Company, and that it would be advantageous to purchase at Ninety dollars, the [undecipherable] by appraisment inclosed, a building erected by Aaron Chamberlain for the accommodation of his Family while he resided at [the] Post. You are therefore Authorized to make this purchase, on account of the United States. The repairs you have mentioned in your Letter to me and ordered to be made on the Fortifications, appearing necessary, you will have them completed, keeping in View a strict economy, and taking receipts for every expenditure made on their account. You will forward your receipts and Vouchers to the Accountant of the department of War, and take his orders as to the Forms, and mode of exhibiting them for settlement. I have transmitted to you, on account of the Fortifications sixteen hundred Dollars. True Copies H. Fones War Department December 1798