[undecipherable — page 1 of file flagged wholly or in part illegible; no better copy available] [26 May. 1800 To the President. Case of the Baltimore Naval Committee submitted for relief.] War Department, May 26 1800 I have the honor to submit a [undecipherable] from Robert Gilmore Esquire, Chairman of a Committee of [undecipherable], charged with the general [undecipherable] of [undecipherable] demanded for the fortification erected at [undecipherable] for the defence of [undecipherable] and [undecipherable] Harbour. The representation made so far as it goes, [undecipherable] error: — the [undecipherable] Committee [undecipherable] merchants of Baltimore [undecipherable] important to the United States, and to their [undecipherable] undertook — that if the [undecipherable] be prosecuted, they would undertake the general [undecipherable] of their exertion, and disburse the Monies — and also [undecipherable] among the Citizens of Baltimore, and applying towards the same, One thousand Dollars — That they have exerted themselves to raise the full sum they became responsible for, I cannot doubt; that they have raised a considerable part of it is also true, and that they have had much trouble in the disbursements made by them, as well as in the collection of the contributions from the Citizens will be easily conceived. The failure of the Committee in raising the full sum they engaged for, has been owing to the late losses and failures in Baltimore in which are also involved some of the Committee themselves, and if the deficiency is exacted, it must be paid by a very few of its solvent Members. It is under such circumstances that a request is made to release the Committee from further responsibility to raise a deficiency rather above Three thousand Dollars, to make up the Ten thousand Dollars they engaged should be contributed, and if it also be considered, that it was the same Committee, who devoted much of their time to build in order to lend to Government the armed vessel built at Baltimore, as well as contributed largely to this Naval fund also, and that considerable labour has actually been employed by the Citizens of Baltimore in person upon the fortification in question I conceive an inclination will be induced to comply with the request. Whether the appropriation applied for under [undecipherable] circumstances as equitable can be complied with, is respectfully submitted to the President's consideration and directions. I have the honor to be with proper consideration Sir, your most [obedient servant], [signed] James McHenry The President of the United States