War Department 28 March 1[79-] Sir I request that M^r Foncin who is to superintend the works carrying on at Fort M^cHenry may be furnished with Quarters and, that he may under your orders is respected and treated with the decorum and politeness due to a Gentleman. If he has any time to spare from the business he is expressly charged with, it will be employed in giving lessons to Officers in gunnery drawing and fortification — M^r Foncin is allowed two Rations p^r day at Baltimore as p^r [undecipherable] accompanying his commission for reference. With great respect [undecipherable] Your obedient Servant James [McHenry?] Col^o [undecipherable] [Stricker?] Commanding Fort M^cHenry near Baltimore