[6] [Cap^ta Taylor] War Department 19^th Nov. 1800 Sir Your letter of the 30^th September enclosing Deed for Beacon Island and Copies of your two last Communications to my Predecessor was not received at the Office untill this day. All the papers of my Office having been destroyed by fire on the 8^th instant I am unable to collect except from your present Communication the nature of your Situation, of this I would thank you to inform me fully as soon as convenient The appropriations for the Fortification of Ports and Harbours being entirely exhausted; all operations except for the Security of what is already erected or prepared must be suspended until a new appropriation may be made by Congress. I am Sir Y^rs. War Department 25^th November 1800 [Col. Trous Tanseco] Sir I have received your letter of the 19^th instant. The loss of the papers of the Office prevents a recurrence to your Communications from Cecil Furnace or to the Contracts of Col^t Hughes. I have never before heard of any particular Claims made by him in public Service, which would require an equitable consideration, but I have often been told that Mr. Foxall introduced the Art of making Cannon in its present improved State into our Country, and had received a less proportion of the Contracts than he was fairly entitled to, this induced me before the recei