Adams notified Hamilton that he met Hamilton's nephew, Philip Church in Philadelphia and New York. Being pleased with him, Adams appointed Church title Capt. of Infantry, per request of Hamilton.
Asks that Philip Church of New York be added to the list of new captains of infantry, and forwards a letter concerning the defense of Georgia, from Governor Jackson of that state. Adams asks McHenry to answer the latter.
Upon realizing the length of time before the frigate building at New York will be seaworthy, Alexander Hamilton requests the appointment of Robert Hamilton to a southern vessel which will be ready sooner. He imagines that Captain Talbot will be glad to have Robert as an associate.
Hodgdon instructs Harris, Fleming, and Williams as to the careful process for selecting the Charleville Muskets to be used as patterns for the contractors who have agreed to produce additional numbers of those muskets for the use of the United States.
Certification that $613.96 is due a detachment of Artillerists and Engineers at Mud Island Fort under the command of Major Lewis Tousard, being for the pay and forage of the commissioned officers, and the pay of the non-commissioned officers and privates, for August 1798.
Certification that $10.77 is due Lieutenant Theodore Meminger of the 2nd Regiment of Artillerists and Engineers, being the expense of John E. Morrison and two men pursuing John Doyle and John M. Donnel, deserters from the detachment at Mud Island Fort.
Informs Tracy that Adams wishes to change the order of rank for the Major-Generals of the Provisional Army, with Knox first, then Pinckney, then Hamilton. States that such a re-arrangement would lead to a serious rupture, with both Hamilton and possibly Washington resigning from their positions. Says that everything is being done to prevent such a thing from happening. Responds to Tracy's list of recommended officers from Connecticut.
Apparently General Smith, sitting at the President's table, stated that he wished that our envoys had given the French the money they demanded but General Smith denies the charge. Since Bayard was at the President's party, McHenry wants to know what he heard while General Smith was expressing his sentiments to several gentlemen.
Enclosed newspapers provide proof of Col. Howard's disclosure of politics regarding General Smith's comments on French. Request by McHenry to correct Howard's misunderstanding.
McHenry submits a detailed accounting of expenditures for the War Department in "this and the six months of the ensuing year" [unclear whether he is referring to a calendar or fiscal year]. Notes that this accounting does not sufficiently address funds for the clothing and subsistence of non-commissioned officers and privates in either the existing army or the 12 new regiments. Notes that accounting for bounty, pay, hospital and quartermaster expenses for the new regiments is contingent upon the rate of enlistment, which he hypothesizes about in terms of men per month; he also estimates necessary sums for clothing & subsistence in terms of men enlisted per month. Lists total sums needed for each month, climbing into the hundreds of thousands; asks for notification if the Treasury can raise any money sooner, to allow troops to be raised more quickly. Notes that clothing and military stores will be necessary for the provisional army, but has not included these in the accounts table. Concludes by saying he has calculated [contracted?] for tents, tent poles and camp kettles.
Mentions that previous arrangements had been made to supply certain [naval] ship captains with the articles they required, but now asks that Humphreys see to this business, with the cooperation of the military storekeeper. Mentions that "Howitzers I believe are not to be had," so a captain must do without. Also asks him ton continue to see to the needs of the man of war Ganges.
McCall and Freeman have completed a statement of McCall's accounts with the United States, in his position as paymaster. McCall plans to leave Savannah for Fort Wilkinson in a few days.
Enclosed are two drafts for five hundred dollars each drawn by Isaac Craig on Hodgdon. They were sent to Trenton for acceptance with the understanding that Hodgdon had relocated there. Montgomery & Newbold await Hodgdon's check.
