Letterbook Copy

Notification of Completion of Plans for Fort McHenry; Measures to be Taken by Government & by Baltimore for Construction

Informs the committee that Major Tousard has submitted his plans and estimates for the defenses of Baltimore centered on Whetstone Point [eventually Fort McHenry]; tells them that the national funds allotted for this purpose are $20,000, while the estimate is for around $30,000. If the plan is approved, McHenry expects the citizens of Baltimore to make up the difference, by either monetary contributions or labor. Feeling that he cannot order the commencement of the fort without the city's willingness to submit to these conditions, he has placed the $20,000 and the power to commence construction at the disposal of the city. He has also ordered the commandant of Fort McHenry [apparently the posting was established before the fort was constructed] to detach construction details to work on the fortifications.

1798

08

31

War Department

Enclosed in McHenry to Adams, 08/19/1799.

Jeremiah Yellott; Robert Gilmor; David Stewart; Robert Oliver; Mark Pringle; William Patterson.

James McHenry

Jeremiah Yellott

Robert Gilmor

David Stewart

Robert Oliver

Mark Pringle

William Patterson

Secretary of War

temporary engineer

Major Lewis Tousard

commandant at Fort McHenry

Alexis De Leyritz

Committee for the Building of Vessels to be Loaned to the Government by the City of Baltimore

Fort McHenry

Baltimore

Maryland

Whetstone Point

War Department

plans

estimates

defenses

funds

works

land

purchase

fortifications

balance

1798083100101

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