[Cover, text written vertically: 18 June 1799 / James McHenry / [undecipherable]] My Dear Hodgdon. We have seen by the papers, and^News I think the account sufficiently [undecipherable] [undecipherable] marked to induce a belief of its truth, that the Brest fleet is at sea. Its destination is in all probability Ireland; but ought we so entirely to rely upon this, as to omit to take the precaution of having some fast sailing vessels on the look out before our [undecipherable: probable reading "commercial"] ports — Charleston. the entrance of the Chesapeake the Delaware New York New Port Boston with perhaps the establishment of signals. It would be awkward to be entirely surprised & to have some of our Banks [fall?] into the hands of the [undecipherable]. — When we think of Egypt we ought not to consider the attempt as impracticable. Announcing that it is a mere act of caution, without in- telligence no inconvenient alarm need be created. It may even be useful to bring home to the minds of our citizens that our government does not deem an invasion improbable. yours aftly. James McHenry 18 June 1799 [Benj. Hodgdon Esq. Sec. of [undecipherable: probable reading "Navy"]]