Letterbook Copy

Baltimore Declines McHenry's Plan of Funding, Asks for Officer to Re-Determine Estimate for Completion of Fort McHenry

Happily agrees with McHenry that the defense of Baltimore is of interest to both the government and the Baltimoreans, relating the ways in which Baltimore has always shown its support for the federal government, and expresses a wish that no unnecessary expense be paid for Baltimore's defense. Declines McHenry's proposal that the committee undertake Mr. Foncin's plan of defense with $10,000 more from the U.S., on the grounds that the committee is not familiar enough with military science to judge whether that will be enough. Asks that the government send officers to determine another estimate, as the committee does not feel qualified to do so.

1799

05

18

Baltimore

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

James McHenry

Robert Gilmor

chairman naval committee

Secretary of War

Jean Foncin

officers

federal government

Major Tousard

Maryland

Baltimore

proposal

fortifications

works

trade

pay

public

1799051840201

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