Sir, Baltimore 9^th April 1799 I had the honor to receive your letter of the 25^th ulto by Mr Frances the Gentleman whom you have appointed to superintend the works making at Fort McHenry. Be pleased to inform me if it is your wish that the Committee should pay him any money on account of his expences or the compensation you propose to make him. The Committee here have to inform you that in the purchasing the lands, and materials, they have already expended near Sixteen thousand Dollars, and it is their opinion, that it will require at least [undecipherable] Twenty [undecipherable] thousand Dollars more to complete the works. They have expended considerable sums for labor, and other expences, not taken into Major [undecipherable: probable reading "Evans's"] estimate, and they have reason to believe they will not receive that assistance from the Inhabitants, which was at first contemplated. It has been mentioned to the Committee, that a sum once remained unexpended of a former appropriation to the works at Fort McHenry, should this be the case, is it not possible for you to make that amount [undecipherable] to their order in aide of the twenty thousand Dollars appropriated? Be pleased to advise me on that subject. I have taken the liberty to draw upon you at five Days sight for four thousand Dollars in favor of George Davis which please to honor with acceptance on account of the works at Fort McHenry. I have the honor to be with much respect, Sir, Your mo. obedient Servant sgd Rbt Gilmor Ch At James M^cHenry Esq^r Sir War Department 15^th April 1799 I have received your letter of the 9^th instant. It will be unnecessary to give the Committee the trouble to make payment to M^r Frances, as his pay, becomes due it will be remitted to him upon his [undecipherable] and receipt. Congress has made no special appropriation for the erection of Fortifications at Baltimore, and I do not recollect any arrangement of any of my predecessors, which would authorize me to consider any specific sum