[undecipherable] inclose for your information I am Sir with respect your obedient servant James McHenry John Briemen Esquire Captain of a Volunteer Company of Riflemen, of Christiana Hundred. Christiana Delaware War Depart^t [undecipherable] Sir, In prosecution of the duties assigned you in my letters dated the 9^th August and the 20^th October ultimo. 1^st You will examine with all [undecipherable] in [undecipherable], the Posts and Islands upon which Works have been erected, for the annoyance of Shipping and the defence of the harbor, and approaches [undecipherable], to the [undecipherable] New Port 2^d You will [undecipherable] maturely and state precisely their several [undecipherable] and advantages and propose such works only to be undertaken, as shall appears indispensably, and which a small number [undecipherable] may be competent to defend against, a [undecipherable] from, an Enemy, to [undecipherable] and in doing this you will keep principally in view, such [undecipherable], and defences only as promise to be most serviceable in, preventing stations from being taken, and kept, [undecipherable] the City of New York from which an Enemy could cannonade and bombard it to advantage. 3. You will calculate the lines and angles of the plans, [undecipherable]: in order to the formation of a just opinion of the solidity, thickness &c of the parts of each work, and of the whole, and [undecipherable] bid a detailed statement of the quantity and [undecipherable] of the different materials, and the cost of workmanship, and labour of every kind, with every item of expense necessary to their completion. These plans and estimates must be explained with so much clearness, and plainness as [undecipherable] [undecipherable] the persons who may undertake any of the work [undecipherable] [undecipherable] no difficulty in understanding what is to be done. 4^th You will [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] in particular [undecipherable] of [undecipherable] [undecipherable] as [undecipherable] [undecipherable] to determine [undecipherable] [undecipherable] advantages can be derived from the erection of a Fort with, the rest of the Island becomes [undecipherable], without [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] on [undecipherable] the Batteries on the Harbour, [undecipherable] [undecipherable] shall be [undecipherable] or [undecipherable]? [undecipherable] How far is [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] to the defence of the [undecipherable] connected and other works on the same, as may be judged sufficient to defend the [undecipherable] Batteries which have been [undecipherable] a [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable]. How [undecipherable] be clear and minute in your observations and opinions on these points and will present plans and estimates. 5^th You will state the number of Men and Cannon [undecipherable: requisite] to the defence of each work. 6^th It will be proper that you should take the [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] to [undecipherable] Marblehead, and [undecipherable] the object specified in my [undecipherable] the [undecipherable] October ultimo. 7^th Portland is also to be visited, the works [undecipherable] [undecipherable] defects [undecipherable], and such [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable], [undecipherable] the [undecipherable] of that harbour as [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable]. 8^th It [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] to place the fortifications [undecipherable] [undecipherable] the defences of the [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] in a [undecipherable: respectable] state, you will make a [undecipherable] of the [undecipherable] [undecipherable], and [undecipherable] [undecipherable] repairs [undecipherable] to [undecipherable] as [undecipherable] be thought necessary and [undecipherable] [undecipherable] to be [undecipherable]. You will give plans and estimates of the [undecipherable]. [undecipherable] in [undecipherable], that [undecipherable] the [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] immediately [undecipherable] [undecipherable] a [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] than [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] a full duty with [undecipherable] Regiment that necessarily requires [undecipherable] [undecipherable] a [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] be [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] the Command of [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] the [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] those be entitled [undecipherable] [undecipherable]. It is [undecipherable], I should not overlook the circumstances [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] that an Officer should not be [undecipherable] towards his own means [undecipherable] [undecipherable] employed on [undecipherable] service of so important a kind [undecipherable] you will therefore be allowed for yourself and Servant at the rate of two dollars and twenty five cents per [undecipherable: Diem] while employed on this service, and [undecipherable] at Rhode Island, Marblehead, Portland, & Boston, and at the rate for travelling expenses established by the regulations bearing date the 19^th day of December 1799, that is, at the rate of two dollars, for every forty miles when the distance does not exceed two hundred, and at the same rate, for every thirty miles for all above two hundred, and not exceeding three hundred [undecipherable] [undecipherable]. I am Sir with respect, your obedient Servant James McHenry Major Lewis Tousard 1^st Reg^t Artillerists & Engineers.