War Department 31 August 1798 Gentlemen, Major Tousard delivered to me a few days since, the profiles, plans, and elevations of the sections for the fortifications proposed to be erected at Baltimore, and I have transmitted them to the temporary Engineer, Alexis De Leignitz. You have been duly informed that the sum assigned to the defences of the City and harbour of Baltimore is twenty thousand dollars including the purchase of the necessary land. You have approved and recommended the plan and estimate for the land and works, made by Major Tousard which estimate amounts to more than thirty thousand dollars and patriotically engaged, should his plan be agreed to that the balance should be made up by the Citizens either in labor or money. Being unwilling to engage in the erection of fortifications that may ultimately require a sum beyond the estimated cost and too much employed to enter into those details which would enable me to ascertain with precision, whether those in question can be finished agreeably to the plan, and the land also procured for the thirty thousand dollars, I have determined relying upon your assurance as annexed to Major Tousards report to transfer the power to execute and complete the Works to you, subjecting to your orders, twenty thousand dollars. And in consideration thereof, holding you bound, that the land shall be purchased and the fortifications completed in a proper manner, according to the plans furnished by Major Tousard. In order to facilitate the undertaking, I shall instruct the temporary Engineer, who will be paid by the United States, to observe your directions, and the Commandant at Fort M^cHenry, upon your requisition, to furnish Fatigue parties to labour on the Works. I am Gentlemen, with the greatest respect, your most obed^t Servant. James M^cHenry. Jeremiah Yellott Robert Gilmor David Stewart Robert Oliver Mark Pringle, and William Patterson. Baltimore 21^st September 1798. Sir We had the honor duly to receive your letter of the 31st ulti— Conforming to its contents, we pledge ourselves for the purchase of the land, and for the erection of the fortifications at Whetstone Point agreeably to the plan and estimate made by Major Tousard. Having