War Department 15 June 1799 Sir I have received from the [undecipherable] of the [undecipherable] a letter dated [undecipherable] containing the following observations [undecipherable] letter to him and [undecipherable] instructions [undecipherable] requesting that di[rections] may be given [undecipherable] the necessary repairs and Building[s] [undecipherable] on [undecipherable] [undecipherable]. You observe to the Secretary. "I have exam[ined] the barrack and situat[ion at] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] and am ful[ly of] opinion that as a temporary provision it is to be prefered all circumstances conside[red to m]e this can procure. The barrac[ks] have been much neglected in [undecipherable] repair, besi[des som]e additional on[e] it is probable [undecipherable] [undecipherable]ary the expense of all [undecipherable] will be about 800 Dollars. I will only add that whatever [ex]pe[nse] [s]hall be put on the barracks it will be done on property of the [United States]." In conformity with these ideas and the [Sec]re[tary's] request I have given orders to Jonathan Jackson Esq^r. to proce[ed] immediately to have the repairs made and barrack built acc[ording] to such directions as you may give. I need not remark to you that as it is contem[plated] to employ the new barrack as a temporary hospital [for] se[rvice] of marines, it will be indispensib[le] that [it] be erected [undecipherable]