[Page 6 ZZW04] [Cap^ta Taylor] War Department 19^th Nov^r 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 will 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.