[undecipherable] [Hon C° McC[undecipherable]] War Department 12^th December 1800 N° [undecipherable] Answer to your favour of the [undecipherable] relative to the fortification of [undecipherable] that when I came and [undecipherable] the Department in [undecipherable] I found [undecipherable] progressing in almost all the Atlantic states with [undecipherable] thereon existed a considerable sum of which there [undecipherable] not [undecipherable] The business was continued [undecipherable] economical a plan as prac- ticable, until it was found from the [undecipherable] exhibited that the remaining appropriation was not more than [undecipherable] to discharge the debts already contracted in prosecuting the works. It then [undecipherable] them excepting that orders [undecipherable] given to put them in such a state that they would not be [undecipherable] [undecipherable] during the present [undecipherable]. This which is indispensable for the public interest added to some demands & expenses not Known known at the time, [undecipherable] 50,000 Dollars. the [undecipherable] of expenses [undecipherable] estimates [undecipherable] have rendered this [undecipherable]. The works are so far advanced that [undecipherable] that [undecipherable] been done [undecipherable] cost [undecipherable] ations should not be made. The [undecipherable] been assigned to Legislative discretion, [undecipherable] to be saved on that [undecipherable]. It must however be remembered that 100,000 Dollars certainly would not be [undecipherable] exigencies. I have the honor to be [undecipherable]