[War Department *date illegible*] Sir, It appearing by a letter lately received from the Board Commissioners of Baltimore that they are desirous to [undecipherable] you perform in account of the expenses in which there is a possibility of [undecipherable] personally involving [them?] and also that it would be by no means disagreeable to them to be reimbursed [undecipherable] from the agreements they are bounds by, as its aspect [undecipherable] [undecipherable] and it not being my wish to require a [full?] fulfillment of the latter, if equal protection can be afforded to the harbor by a less expensive [undecipherable] you will therefore without delay report to me, whether by one or two Towers, or Block Houses, the Batteries could not be sufficiently secured against any attacks from the rear, and an estimate of the expense of erecting the same. I am Sir With respect your obedient [servant] Jgd James McHenry M^r Francis Baltimore 3^d June 1799 I enclose you [undecipherable] of the 30^th [undecipherable] enclosing a copy of [undecipherable] bills [undecipherable] the 21^st [undecipherable] M^r [Francis?], both of which were this day laid before the Committee. M^r [Allen?] and M^r George [Shaw?] having [undecipherable] in [Philadelphia?] [undecipherable] and [consequently?] their arrival have the honor of waiting on you and will communicate to you fully the sentiments of [undecipherable] which they are members, on the subject of the works erecting at [Fort?] [undecipherable]. I have the honor to be Sir Your ob[edien]t your Rob Gilmor Ch. M[undecipherable] James McHenry Esq^re War Department 15^th July 1799 In consequence of you communication through M^r Robert Gilmor [undecipherable] [undecipherable] a conference with Robert Oliver a member of the [undecipherable] committee in Baltimore [undecipherable] was [undecipherable] of a representation of M^r [Francis?] the Engineer and a due consideration of the circumstances which have attended the [undecipherable] of the [fortification?] at [Whetstone?] Point, near Baltimo[re]