Gates recommends that elderly 42-year-old Abraham Rand be discharged from the service due to his extreme intemperance. He notes that he now commands 74 men and does not have enough clothing and blankets for them.
Requests McHenry to pay 7 bills drawn on him by Quartermaster General. Lists accounts. Encloses list of ordnance and military stores sent from New London to Knoxville.
Recognizes need for a more detailed account for Congress and the Secretary of War, who wishes Hodgdon to view all public accounts. Will present a report to Congress.
McHenry encloses abstract of personal expenses of Captain Edward Butler, who while discharging duty as Quarter Master General by order of Major General Anthoony Wayne. Asks Wilkins to obtain explanation regarding nature of disbursements and report back to him.
Dr. Brown laments that he hasn't heard from Hodgdon and talks of having the best vocabulary & language of the Chippewa Indians on Earth. Due to hard service in the dismal swamp, his health has suffered.
Hamilton does not have the time to spend on fortifying the port of New York and recommends Colonel Burr for the position of Superintendent. Burr will surely accept the position if the monetary compensation is adequate.
In providing for the defense of the port, Hamilton expresses the need for a survey of the bay below the narrows to Sandy Hook and observes that such a survey has been done by the British. Mr. Hill owns a draft of that survey and will sell it for $800 which appears to be a reasonable price.
Sends store accounts by Mr. McConaky with a copy of the wagoner's advance to enable Craig to settle accounts. Nothing new has transpired with the War Department--no new appropriations. Refers to Jacob Death, now working in Baltimore. Hopes to recover money from Death.
Enclosed accounts of stores transported by J. McConahy's wagons. Waggoner will receive his whole pay at Pittsburgh. Enclosed list of changes to be voted on by Congress so as to keep Craig informed of possible changes to current system.
Sends a common tent; suggests its use for the army. Suggests contract to Mr. Moyes. If Francis can purchase canvas at a better price, the tents will cost less.
McHenry has learned that there is not a sufficient quantity of gold thread in Philadelphia and New York to complete the enbroidery of the coats. Production therefore would have to be suspended pending the arrival of the Spring ships. At present, the President's cockade is without an eagle. Instructions have been dispatched to Major General Hamilton and those for General Pickney will be sent soon.
Wheden declares that he assumes responsiblity for the forty dollars that Hodgdon claims is owed to the United States by Jacob Death. This was the sum paid to Death for work at Pittsburgh that Hodgdon maintains was not performed by him.
