Now I have all the images. Let me compile the transcription. [undecipherable] Oct. 20 [undecipherable] 1799 I rec'd your letter of the 12^th inst. It is an answer to my letter of the [undecipherable] and relative to permanent [undecipherable] at [Loftus's?] heights [undecipherable] the Mississippi [undecipherable] there the [undecipherable] ballance of [undecipherable] one or my [undecipherable], and [undecipherable] or a great [undecipherable] part of them [undecipherable] for a [undecipherable] on the [undecipherable] at [undecipherable] [undecipherable] is [undecipherable] on, by orders of Brigadier General [undecipherable] [undecipherable], without the sanction of, or a prior communication with, the [undecipherable] authority of the [undecipherable] on the subject. For what appears an anxiety to explain the [undecipherable] for [undecipherable] me [undecipherable] appearing in this business, I feel an apprehension, that some made [undecipherable] their [undecipherable] expedition [undecipherable] contrary to my actual sentiments [undecipherable] are [undecipherable] some time. By [undecipherable] the letter I however found, that [undecipherable] is [undecipherable] for [undecipherable] one [undecipherable] the [undecipherable] [undecipherable] no [undecipherable] than [undecipherable] [undecipherable] of [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] the [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] this [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] the [undecipherable: Mississippi?] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] words, with [undecipherable] alludes to [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] of it [undecipherable] in every particular [undecipherable] [undecipherable] for, or probability of [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] the [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] ment of war, [undecipherable] very [undecipherable] your [undecipherable] do [undecipherable]. When you [undecipherable] with the [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] to before been [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] establishing and [undecipherable] one [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] the [undecipherable] the instrument [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] to the [undecipherable: Executive?] [undecipherable] that [undecipherable] the [undecipherable] [undecipherable: appro-] [undecipherable: val?] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] more to the co[undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] to the [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] deduced [undecipherable] from the Con[undecipherable] [undecipherable] the Causes are the nature of functions. [undecipherable] [undecipherable] a sanction [undecipherable] [undecipherable] incurred [undecipherable] fortifications [undecipherable] apo[undecipherable], on the non [undecipherable] of the [undecipherable] for the [undecipherable] [undecipherable] absolutely [undecipherable], to prevent the [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable: President?]. [undecipherable] letter, I presume [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] leave in [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] response [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable: Charles?] [undecipherable] or neglected, I asserted the rule. You agree with me; This rule was necessary only, as I conceive, to support it. To abstract the whole of my views, relative to the fortifications at [undecipherable: Loftus's heights?]. I have been informed of no peculiarly pressing circumstances, which made the measures [undecipherable] [undecipherable] making a submission to the President [undecipherable] some occasions, and justifying an exception. Former [undecipherable] [undecipherable] from the Department [undecipherable] have discouraged the erection of [undecipherable] and expensive fortifications [undecipherable] the same quarter. My [undecipherable] [undecipherable] of the efficacy of fortifications [undecipherable] our own territory, while the [undecipherable: Spaniards?] held the [undecipherable] [undecipherable], and supposing their [undecipherable] invaders, our territory [undecipherable] to [undecipherable] [undecipherable]. In the course of my [undecipherable] I also collectively introduced a rule or principle much more general, as follows. "My mind experiences an irresistable conviction, that every measure, in all its circumstances, which may involve considerable expenditure, should be submitted, through the Secretary of the appropriate [undecipherable] department, to the President, for his approval, and that without such approval, formally and explicitly announced, no act leading to its execution should take place." May I not [undecipherable] with propriety say, that the last or most comprehensive rule or principle, comprehends the former, which is but a designation or application of it? You do not acquiesce with the enlarged rule, and suppose exceptions to it. I admit, that exceptions exist or may exist, to every [undecipherable] [undecipherable] rule. In the [undecipherable] of government however it is constantly practised upon, why not by agents, however dignified and [undecipherable] without their [undecipherable]. [undecipherable] settled state of things, no [undecipherable], no military emergency, or necessity, producing any exception. In the active scenes [undecipherable] of a campaign, amidst the [undecipherable] operations [undecipherable] in which success often depends, upon promptitude, and where the [undecipherable] [undecipherable] is the centre of information, the [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] with, and [undecipherable] so in a degree upon a sudden or [undecipherable] well grounded expectation of attack, my [undecipherable] discretion, and upon the responsibility of the officer or commander, [undecipherable] do any of these positions exist to [undecipherable] the [undecipherable] measures at [Loftus's] heights out of the rule, if they do I yet am uninformed of [undecipherable] the If during a settled state of things, monies appropriated in the aggregate for defences in a given quarter, and placed at the disposal of the President; or if he has employed the whole sum appropriated, as he has deemed proper, a new appropriation becomes necessary, for expenditures not sanctioned by him, and of which he is ignorant, what confusion must ensue? Can this be tolerated in any government? As you [undecipherable] however without hesitation, to the opinion, that it is expedient to pursue the plan, upon the scale which has been contemplated" — understand, [but are not positively informed,] such progress has been made in the business, as that the plan cannot be relinquished without loss of the [undecipherable] of past expense and the [undecipherable] remaining, [undecipherable] being so [undecipherable] has given it his [undecipherable] [undecipherable] I ha[ve] to [undecipherable] and shall take no order, to stop the prosecution of the works. I have already required the accountant to forward to the Quarter Master General, and his deputy or agent on the Mississippi, the necessary instructions relative to the vouchers and forms of account to govern, to be produced for the expenditures. I have the honour to be with the great respect &c. Your most ob[edient] h[umble] [s] James McHenry [Major [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable]]