War Department July 7^th 1798. Gentlemen, It has been thought expedient to direct Major Tousard of the Corps of Artillerists and Engineers to repair to Baltimore, to review, in conjunction with M^r De Luyrity, the existing works at Whetstone point, and lay down a plan and furnish an estimate as correct as possible, of the expence of such additions as may be considered as absolutely indispensible to the protection of the City against any sudden attacks from enemys Ships of war or Coups de main from a small land force. It is proper I should apprise you also, that the means which may be applied to this object, will not exceed twenty thousand dollars, and that the land necessary to the new and existing Fortifications must be paid for out of this sum. How far, or whether the Citizens can afford additional aid, should it be requisite to complete a fort, a works competent to the end proposed I cannot pretend to anticipate. With the greatest respect I have the honor to be Gentlemen, your obed^t servant James M^c Henry [To the Gentlemen appointed to superintend the building of Vessels for the use of Government]