General Washington has provided the names of the leading commanders in the Provisional Army with Hamilton, as Inspector General, the senior officer. The appointment of William S. Smith, the President's son-in-law, as a brigadier is unfortunate because Smith is bankrupt and has a ruined reputation.
Freeman has heard that Congress is in the process of increasing the establishment. He hopes Simmons will support him in the effort to secure an office such as deputy paymaster, if possible.
Enclosed is a note on merchants Girling & Glimpton of Carlisle in favor of Doctor Hodge. Parker is ordered to collect the money and send it on to Hodgdon.
Hodgdon provides a list of soldiers who are ordered to join their company in New York. Their passage money will be five dollars for each man and will be paid by Capt. John Henry in York.
Certification that $1600 has been drawn in favor of Samuel & George Trotter, dated 18 July 1798 at Cincinatti, on account of the pay of the Army for 1798.
Huntington writes of his desire to be appointed a major in the infantry regiments recently sanctioned by Congress [the provisional army], citing his knowledge that pay is supposed to begin upon commissioning and that land war is unlikely. Also states that this will work for him, as he would rather remain at home if possible. Asks that Trumbull submit his name in recommendation to the Secretary of the War, mentioning that he is a staunch and loyal supporter of federalism.
Hamilton says that, if indispensable, he is willing to inhabit a lower rank than Knox but is not amenable to the same situation in relation to Pinckney. He is unwilling to occupy a lower rank to every officer who held superior rank in the Revolutionary War.
While discussing a number of transportation and supply matters, Bedinger expresses his concern that Major Elias Langham has not returned. He hopes that no accident may have befallen him during his passage through the wilderness. Some of the Indians of the Northwest Territory are not as friendly as they have been in the past.
Habersham explains in part the reasons for the errors on the pay vouchers. Habersham had remitted payment to McCall in October 1797 and charged the same to Major Freeman. Freeman is in Savannah and McCall is expected shortly; they will also submit explanations.
