War Department 8 May 1799 Sir I have received your letter as chairman of the Naval Committee dated Baltimore the 6^th instant, inclosing 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 Whetstone point for the defence of the City and harbor of Baltimore. It is much to be regretted that the former plans and estimates made by Major Tousard is now to be departed from, as they had received the deliberate approbation of the Committee, which I could not suppose to have been given, but on advice they had a full confidence in, and of course was myself satisfied 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 defence. Under such impressions, relying that the Committee are now perfectly informed of the inefficacy and incorrectness of the former plans, and satisfied of the superior correctness and efficacy of the plan and estimate of M^r Foncin, respecting which I earnestly intreat them to take the best advice in their power, to ensure against after alterations, I cannot but suppose the public good requires a deviation from the plan heretofore agreed to be executed upon definite terms by the Committee, but so as not to depart from the principle acknowledged to have been contemplated by the Naval Committee at the time of their contract to finish the former plans; I mean 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 three Dollars and forty four Cents, or whatever excess it might require upon the plan agreed upon to complete the same in a substantial and workmanlike manner — I am strongly inclined to give the preference to M^r Foncin's plan, as more effective for defence, if it is to be executed, it will by the Estimate presented, carry the whole expence of works understood to be properly designed to the amount of thirty nine thousand nine hundred and thirty eight Dollars and thirty four Cents. Will the Committee undertake to send me their engagement to complete the Works at Whetstone point agreeably to M^r Foncin's plan for the same, on the condition of the further sum of ten thousand Dollars in addition to the twenty thousand already advanced them, being now paid to them by the United States, and in case themselves or the Citizens of Baltimore, think alterations in the plan necessary or a different one indispensible to their full security to complete the same also in a substantial workmanlike and permanent manner. I am Sir with respect Your obedient Servant Robert Gilmor Esq^r C^ttee sign^d James McHenry Baltimore Baltimore 18^th May 1799 We are honored with your letter of 10^th instant. We agree with you in sentiment that the protection of our City is so important an object of consideration both with the Government and Citizens to be hazarded by imperfect works or those erroneously designed. Our trade is extensive and the duties we pay into the public treasury approach in the amounts the sums collected from any of the larger States, and generally we contribute to all the exigencies and demands of Government with a satisfaction resulting from a perfect confidence in the wisdom of their measures; Taking this view of our conduct, and adverting to a defencelessness of our port we must consider our claim to the protecting care of Government inferior to that of no other place. Happily our natural position admits of an easy and cheap defence, and we shall resent exceedingly if any error in plans, inaccuracy in Estimates or misconception of private engagements should tend to retard the execution of the necessary works — We stated in a former letter the manner of our being interested in the present bearings, and [undecipherable]