[undecipherable: Copies of letters from the Secretary of War to] [undecipherable] Stevens [undecipherable: Agent for the] War Department — May 25^th — 1798 June 16^th 1798 [undecipherable] [B] Extract of a letter from the Secretary of War to Col. Ebenezer Stevens dated, New York, June 16^th 1798. Sir, "It being thought adviseable that the Fortifications on Governor, Bedlow, and Oyster Islands, should be put in a condition to be defended, and to annoy, [strikethrough: and to [undecipherable] it [undecipherable] who had [undecipherable]] [undecipherable] Hork, and to erect three or four Batteries on York Island where they would most effectually prevent Ships from taking and keeping Stations, from which they could cannonade and bombard the City, with effect, you will as Agent for the Department of War, forthwith employ an Engineer to assist Mr. Fleming and Mr. Hill, to examine and report upon the most eligible Sites for such works, and to prepare the necessary plans and Estimates for them and the work required to be done on the Fortifications on Governor, Bedlow, and Oyster Islands, to put them in a condition to be defended, and to annoy." A true extract [signature]