McHenry apoligizes for not being able to send the distribution aksed for by Hamilton. He asks for Hamilton's assistance in understanding the intentions of General Washington regarding the assignment of stations to infantry regiments.
Captain Ingersoll provides a detailed report of the state of readiness of his command, including a description of the buildings he is using and the surrounding terrain in addition to his returns of clothing and arms.
A letter is enclosed to Colonel Parker which explains the recruiting service within the State of Virginia. If Lee himself can digest the information it need not be sent to Parker since the recruiting service will not soon begin.
The bearer, Mr. Vanderherchen, is believed to be an honest and industrious man with a family to support. He is out of work and, if given public work, he will do whatever he undertakes with integrity.
Having nearly completed the inspection of the clothing contracted for by Mr. Billington, Mr. Francis wants Steele and Ewing to inspect that previously sent for by the United States. The compensation is understood to be proporitional to that agreed on for Billington's contract.
Hamilton asks Washington to dispose of the enclosed letters so as to achieve a speedy distribution of the state of Virginia into districts and sub-districts.
Associated with his duties as Inspector General, Hamilton announces that he is now superentendent of the recruiting service. He directs that the State of Massachusetts should be divided into four recruiting districts and twenty sub-districts and from each sub-district one company is to be recruited.
Anderson explains why he has not forwarded a return of business and expenditures for the year 1798. There are so many small parties sent in separate directions that he scarcely has an hour's leisure so it has been impossible to make satisfactory returns.
Requests distribution of additional twelve regiments among the respective states according to arrangements made in December by the Commander in Chief. Seeks information for recruiting purposes.
Hamilton stresses the importance of distributing the additional regiments and cavalry among the States according to the orders contained in the report from the Commander in Chief.
Certification of payments; $223.23 to Edward Butler, formerly a Captain of Levies, for clothing furnished by him to sundry men of the company of levies.
Certification of payments; Israel Chapin, Agent for Six Nations of Indians for laborers, blacksmiths, gunsmiths, medical assistance for 1798, including construction of a church, and a grist mill for the Oneida Indians
Encloses correspondence with Griffith McRae regarding auditing with the Treasury Department. Discussion of fortifications in Wilmington, North Carolina.
McHenry assures Hamilton that he has received his letter for General Wilkinson and that it will be forwarded to Knoxville and sent from there by express to Wilkinson.
