Baltimore, 3 July 1798 Sir, The Committee appointed to superintend the building of Vessels to be loaned to Government by the City of Baltimore, having met on that business, consider it a suitable opportunity to solicit your [underline: immediate] attention to putting the Fort at Whetstone Point in a proper state of defence, as in its present situation, it can afford no kind of security or protection to this City, against an attack from the most inconsiderable naval force. The necessity of this measure will be further evident, when we inform you that there has not been a British Ship of War in our Bay since April last; of course any dependance on them for protection will be very precarious. We are induced to mention this latter circumstance to you, as we observe by your letter to M^r Cliver of the 28^th ulto that you seem to place some dependance thereon. We have the honor to be Sir your mo ob^dt Servants Rob Gilmor                  Robert Oliver David Stewart              George Sears And^w Campbell              Jos^h Yellott W^m Patterson                Mark Pringle The Hon^ble James McHenry Esq^r Sec^y at War.