The advertisement in the enclosed account was taken from the Gazette of the United States. A note was attached to the advertisements requesting the printers of the various states to insert them in their newspapers. The payment for such will be gratefully received
Tingley encloses his return for May along with the constructor's receipt for the articles issued to him for the use of the Naval Department. He also notes that the white oak logs have been sawed into four-inch plank, which are piled for seasoning.
Oliver Wolcott, Jr., Secretary of Treasury, expresses his concern that Indian agents may be charging for double the amount of supplies than what is actually delivered. If this is true, it amounts to a fraud destructive of all confidence in those who have completed these transactions. David Henley has been directed to conduct an investigation and John McNairy is told to cooperate.
"A train of unfortunate circumstances" delayed delivery of letter from Col. Butler which contained a notification that troops were delayed in descending the Ohio river. Pickering believed that Butler had the troops held over in Pittsburgh to wait for uniforms and the outbreak of small pox forced him to detain the troops for inoculation. Advised keeping Indians away from infected areas. Mentioned the delay in forwarding uniforms due to their lack of completion (no hats).
Enclosed letter from the Quakers. One is a letter to the Indians and the other is an invoice of goods to be delivered. Noted Presidential approval of Quakers' friendship with Indian tribes.
Pay and muster rolls of Capt. Crawford's detachment enclosed. Request for blank muster and pay rolls. Recruits for militia formed into two detachments under General Morgan.
Delivery of wampum and 2 wagon loads of goods too insignificant to make a full boatload to deliver. Craig will wait for the remaining Indian goods to be delivered. Mentioned the scalping of 2 men traveling from Le Boeuf to Presque-Isle.
Refers to reviewing Mr. Humphreys' table of dimensions concerning the limbers for the 36-gun frigates, finding that their scantlings [the dimensions of the framing and structural portions] were too large, and discusses how they will be reduced in size. Discusses the differing sizes of gun-deck beams in different classes of ship (36-gun, 60-gun, 90-gun). Notes that much of the large live oak timber has minor defects, and these timbers will have to be rejected unless sound wood can be replaced into the defective portions. Refers to the particularity of the shipbuilding superintendent in choosing timbers [for the frigate Congress]. Discusses timbers being ruined for laying too long in salt water. States that the good portions of defective live oak timbers must not be wasted. Also discusses copper bolt supply, and the paying of a fee to the Supervisor at Portsmouth.
Regarding errors in the providing of timber, request that naval constructors document on a chart which timbers had arrived in each ship yard and what timbers were still wanting. This information to be sent to John Morgan in Georgia.
Pay and clothing for Rickard's company are on their way. Men whose term with the military ends and who do not renew their contract are to receive civilian clothing and some money. Pickering advises him to begin recruiting as soon as possible to replace those men whose term of enlistment will soon expire, and offers some advice.
