John Jacob Rivardi letter December 9, 1794

Extract of a letter from Major Rivardi to the Secretary of War, dated Norfolk, December 9, 1794.
“SIR:
“Since I had the honor of writing to you last, I mounted all the guns at Fort Norfolk, and unmasked, in a great measure, the battery, which is now completely turfed and in perfect order.  The two forts would be now in a state of defence on the river side, had I not been disappointed by those who raise the carriages, which I so often mentioned in my letters.  It is owing to that delay that Fort Nelson has no guns mounted toward the entrance of the harbor; that business, however, can be done in one day.
“The barracks are already framed, and provided some money for that purpose is soon forwarded, they will shortly be fit for the reception of the soldiers.
“Captain Blackburne being retured here, I shall leave it to him to inform you of the situation of his men.  
The weather has been, and continues to be, very favorable; as it is probable, however, that a change will take place, I shall henceforward employ the workmen at the ditch, a task which is not liable to accidents from the frost.”

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AMERICAN STATE PAPERS
CLASS V
MILITARY AFFAIRS
VOLUME 1
DOCUMENTS
LEGISLATIVE AND EXECUTIVE,OF THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES
FROM THE FIRST SESSION OF THE FIRST TO THE SECOND SESSION OF THE FIFTEENTH CONGRESS INCLUSIVE:
COMMENCING MARCH 3 1789 AND ENDING MARCH 3 1819
SELECTED AND EDITED, UNDER THE AUTHORITY OF CONGRESS
BY WALTER LOWRIE, Secretary of the Senate,  AND MATTHEW ST CLAIR CLARKE Clerk of the House of Representatives,
VOLUME
WASHINGTON:
PUBLISHED BY GALES AND SEATON
1832