War Department 25 May 1797 60 I have received your letter as chairman of the Naval Committee, at Baltimore the 6 Instant, enclosing an Estimate which you state to have been made by M^r Foncin of the expence to be incurred in the construction of an offensive Fort at Whitstone point, for the defence of the City and harbor of Baltimore. It is much to be regretted that the former plan and estimate, made by Major Tousards is now to be departed from, as they had received the deliberate approbation of the Committee, which would not appear to have been given, but on advice they had a full confidence in, and of course was myself satisfied to, they approached nearly to correctness. A commercial City of so much importance to the Union as Baltimore, ought not however, to be trusted to the hazards of protection by improper works or those erroneously designed which by exhibiting the appearance of protection, might create a security fatal to persons and property and prejudicial to the United States; it would perhaps be better it was left without the semblance of expence. Under such impressions, relying that the Committee are now perfectly undeceived of the insufficiency (and in correctness) of the former plans, and satisfied of the superior correctness and efficacy of the plan & estimate of M^r Foncin, respecting which I earnestly entreat them to take the best advice in their power to ensure against after alteration, I cannot but suppose the public good requires a deviation from the plans heretofore agreed to be executed upon alternate terms by the Committee, but so as not to depart from this principle acknowledged to have been a contemplated by the Naval Committee at the time of their contract to finish the former plans; Foncin that it was understood by them at the time of their Contract that they would complete the construction of Works estimated to cost Thirty Thousand, nine hundred and sixty three Dollars, and forty four Cents, on condition that the United States would advance and pay twenty thousand Dollars, pledging themselves and fellow Citizens to raise the surplus of ten thousand, nine hundred [and sixty] by their Dollars and forty four Cents, or whatever expence it might require upon the plan agreed upon to complete the same in a substantial and workmanlike manner —