Certification of payment; $9.60 for retained rations to 2nd Lieutenant Henry Wester in Captain Conrad Seyforts Company, 1st Regiment Philadelphia Militia, commanded by Colonel Francis Gurney, ordered to suppress an insurrection in the Western Counties of Pennsylvania 1794.
Request for extra pay lacked specifics, therefore making it difficult to justify payment. McHenry approved payment for Rivardi's request, but advised future actions to be compensated with a ration of rum.
Forwards a list of recommended officers for the army, for Adams' approval. Asks for the authority to make provisional appointments, considering that McHenry has selected men as surgeon's mates for the 8th and 9th Regiments who had desired higher ranks, and may not accept appointment as surgeon's mates.
Reports that a misconception had occurred involving the appointment of a Mr. Fowler as major in the 12th Regiment. McHenry advises the recalling of that appointment (which was never sent) and the substitution of a man named Fonda. McHenry believes the latter will make a better officer.
Writes that he will soon enclose an abstract of articles purchased by Joshua Orne - Agent of Fortifications at Marblehead - for the amount of which he will receive a credit on the books of the office.
Routine correspondence concerning the appointment, transfer, promotion, discharge, desertion, leave, and assignment of individual officers and soldiers.
"I have received your letter of the 6th instant covering a new set of Recruiting Instructions...I repeatedly reported to the Secretary of War last fall that I could have enlisted many more men, indeed treble the number, if furnished with money and advice for that purpose. I never was informed what the establishment was, or is, to be nor how many men I should enlist."
Adams lists the qualities of Sir Benjamin Thompson, Count Rumford, acknowledging that it it is complicated to offer positions to those who left the country as he did [as a Tory], but authorizes McHenry to offer him any of the officer appointments listed in McHenry's previous letter - lieutenant colonel of an artillery & engineer regiment, independent lt. col. of engineers, inspector of artillery, or superintendent of a new military academy. All but the second could be conceived as being held simultaneously.
