Reports a deal made with Robert McCormick regarding the payment for and fabrication of muskets, requiring refunds and payments. Suggests a means of settling the accounts.
Hodgdon's letter to J. J. Laeschky has come to hand but he is so ill that there is no expectation of recovery but Ford and Brinkerhoff are still interested in the contract with the public.Therefore, they are surprised at the lack of acquiescence in Hodgdon's report of condemned shot in New York and Elizabeth Town. They want him to defer his report until they have an opportunity to answer more fully.
Rice explains his choice of Brookfield as the rendezvous of a recruiting subdistrict because it would be more likely to attract recruits to the Army rather than the sea service as at the previous site. He lists the assignment of officers to the towns designated as rendezvouses for the subdistricts and discusses the vacancies in his regiment.
The Superintendent of Southern Indian Affairs reports on a conference with the Creeks, also mentioning diplomatic relations and cooperation with Spain. States that if there is to be any Indian opposition, it will come from the Seminoles in East Florida.
Hamilton has authorized Colonel Strong to withdraw from the post at Michilimacnac since Strong could not be reinforced at that post and his force could be better utilized elsewhere on the northwestern frontier. It will be better to arrange a treaty with the Indians relative to the sale of their land rather than have the land go to private individuals. He worries that his letter requiring General Wilkinson to repair to Philadelphia has been lost.
Routine correspondence concerning the appointment, transfer, promotion, discharge, desertion, leave, and assignment of individual officers and soldiers.
Hamilton urges Wilkinson to travel to Philadelphia as quickly as possible so he can participate in planning for the arrangement of the affairs of the Western Army. He might consider traveling by way of New Orleans as an alternate route,.
Hamilton emphasizes that Indian Affairs are the responsiblity of the Governors of the Northwestern Territories and of the Mississippi Territory. In the interest of uniform conduct toward the Indians, military officials are to coordinate their relations with the tribes according to the policies of said Governors.
Hamilton directs the Commandants to recommend officers to fill vacancies in the regiments expeditiiously and carefully but they should not feel slighted if their recommendations are rejected.
Refers to Mr. McLean's receipts. Questions Montgomery's deductions and whether they need to be paid by the public. Requests Stevens to persuade McLean that he has been paid in full.
