Certification that $375 is due Samuel and Joseph Meredith, Naval Agents at Baltimore, being the amount paid by them to Isaac Garrettson, Clerk of the Navy Yard at Baltimore, for his compensation from June 2 to December 2, 1797.
From Pittsburgh, John Wilkins Jr. Quarter Master General with two abstracts and two packets containing vouchers of disbursements, transmitted to auditor.
John McRea has applied for a lieutenancy in the Navy and Craik declares that he has no doubt that McRea would do justice to such an appointment. His education has been liberal, his abilities are good, and he is a worthy young man.
John McRea wishes to be appointed a lieutenant in the Navy of the United States. Simms recommends McRea as a young man with a liberal education, good talents, and respectable character. McRea is theoretically and practically acquainted with navigation and is in every way deserving of the appointment he seeks.
Fitzgerald comments on the application of John McRea to enter the Naval Service on board one of the ships fitted out as a convoy for merchant ships. He views McRea as a young gentleman with an exceedingly good education, talents, and character with laudable pride and zeal for the honor and dignity of his country. He knows navigation in theory and has practiced on voyages to Europe and the West Indies so it should not take him very long to be a competent navigator.
McRea has submitted his application for a lieutenancy on board one of the vessels fitted out as convoys for merchant ships. Fearing that a mere application might not be sufficient, he has secured recommendations from friends as well as acquaintances Richard Harrison and Charles Lee.
Ross has asked for seven dollars per cord allotment for fuel even though the price has been as high as twenty dollars in Philadelphia. Ross therefore is not sure how much he is entitled to but Simmons should feel free to alter his allotment in whatever manner he deems just.
Cover for receipts from Lt. David Hale, Peter Dransy, George Fleming, Foreman Cheeseman, William Boote, and Capt. Frederick Frye in the amounts listed. Cited in Simmons to Fish, 05/16/1798.
In reference to the ten four pounders at West Point, Fleming had indicated that five are uniform in length and weight. Hodgdon wants to know whether the other five are a medley or uniform in any degree and whether they can be used on board a ship.
