War Department 10th August 1799. [In the left margin two small squiggles mark the first and last line of the body of the letter] Sir, I have had the honor, to recieve your letter dated Lebanon the 23rd July ulto, covering two Deeds of Cession, for Fruits Trumbull, and Griswald, with the necessary lands adjoining, together with the jurisdiction over the same, and a Pentway, or small passage leading from Trumbull to the Public Highway, which passes on the westward side of [undecipherable] Fort. Fully impressed, with a conviction that the harbour of New London is not only a very good one, but important to the State of Connecticut, and to the Union, I contemplate such improvements of the works for its defence, as the very limitless funds for the seashore of fortification, on the Seaboard throughout the United States, will enable to make. I have the honor to be [undecipherable] with the greatest respect Your [undecipherable] servant James McHenry Excellency Jonathan Trumbull Governor of the State of Connecticut.