The committee acknowledges receipt of McHenry's letter detailing Major Tousard's plan for Fort McHenry at Whetstone Point outside Baltimore, and pledges to purchase the necessary land and oversee the construction. They have in fact bought the land and commenced construction, and so draw upon McHenry for $4,000. The committee asks that the total funds of the federal advance for the fort, $20,000, be placed at their disposal in Baltimore.
Simmons encloses a letter from Lieutenant James Tripplett; in it is a statement of disbursements said to have been paid by him out of monies received from the War Department on account of the Navy. However, a letter from the purser of the USS Constellation states that Tripplett has also received money from him in order to settle with the Department of the Navy. Simmons suggests the prudence of calling Tripplett to account sooner rather than later.
McHenry is wrestling with the issue of assigning relative rank to Generals Hamilton, Knox, and Pickering. He consulted General Washington and is notifying President Adams that the General's opinion on this sensitive matter differs from that of the president.
McHenry is of the opinion that the President should support Washington's advancement against General Knox's pretensions. The President has expressed suspicions which might affect McHenry or Mr. Pickering. McHenry still depends upon the President acting wisely despite the obstinancy he has shown because he cannot resist the display of facts which has been laid before him.
McCormick expresses his gratitude to Hodgdon for offering his receipt book to his works. The receipt book should be entrusted to the care of McCormick's porter whose fidelity is beyond question. McCormick will sign those receipts that have been completed. (Since the signing of the receipt book, the porter became sick so another man will be entrusted with it.)
Enclosed are two endorsed orders for $500 each. Hodgdon is asked to send a check to Clifford for one thousand dollars as soon as it is convenient. Clifford has a payment to make soon for which he is not fully provided.
George Fleming has informed Wolcott that there no Charlesville muskets at West Point that might be used as patterns for contracts negotiated in Vermont. Hodgdon is directed to furnish six muskets as soon as possible to Nathaniel Brush, Supervisor of Revenue at Bennington, Vermont. Tench Francis has informed Wolcott that the saltpeter imported from Hamburg has been sold.
Certification that $10.50 is due John Scott, late a private in the Artillerists and Engineers stationed at Oswego, New York under the command of Lieutenant Nanning J. Vischer, being his pay from 1 July to 9 September 1798, the day his term of service expired.
Capt. [Richard] Blackburn left this place for Dumfries [Virginia] where he is recruiting so the command of the troops has devolved onto Claiborne. He therefore is transmitting Blackburn's musters, payrolls, and receipts for $200 delivered by Claiborne to Blackburn for the recruiting service.
Lewis receive $3500 to be transmitted to Samuel Dana at Middletown Connecticut, to be transmitted to Nathan Starr, for manufacturing and delivery of 2000 cavalry swords, with scabbards and belts complete.
