Hodgdon observes that war consignments appear to be the order of the day. Congress has ordered another regiment of artillerists to be raised and additional fortifications to protect the coasts.
Among other matters, Hodgdon assures Craig that his drafts will be honored. He is surprised that Ackerman and McMickle are not with Craig since they have received their advances from Joshua Humphreys.
Hodgdon transmits an abstract of the provisions issued at all the posts from Pittsburgh to the Mississippi except Niagara and Oswego from which returns have not yet been received.
Certification that $1071.65 is due the Corps of Artillerists and Engineers at West Point, being for the pay, subsistence, and forage of the Commissioned Officers, the pay of the Non-Commissioned Officers and Privates, and the balance of bounties to sundry units, through March 1798.
Certification that $27.20 is due the estate of Private Anson Williston, late of Captain Andrew McClary's Company 2nd Regiment, being his pay from October 1, 1795 to April 24, 1796, the day he died, which sum is to go to Cloe Williston, his widow.
Certification that $276 is due a detachment of the Corps of Artillerists and Engineers at Fort Norfolk under Captain Richard Blackburn, being the pay of himself, Lieutenant John Saunders, Cadets Peter Lambkin and Thomas Blackburn, Surgeon's Mate William Barnwell (including forage) and the non-commissioned officers and privates, for March 1798.
Discussed settlement of accounts, securing western territory from Spanish and further intrusions. Enclosed a letter from Little Turtle, also enclosed 12 copies of instructions to and dispatches from the Ministers in Paris. McHenry requested Goodhue distribute the papers to posts within his jurisdiction.
Along with the enclosure of the return of military stores at West Point, Fleming complains that he has received no return from Colonel Rochefontaine of what carriages the artillerist's artificers and the hired blacksmith have made for the ordnance since his return of July 1797. Rochefontaine does have his carpenters at work in a new shop in a palisades yard. Fleming worries that Rochefontaine is continuing the green stuff work since he has had much green timber hauled from the mountain and sawed.
Notification that accounts are suspended until receipts and vouchers are sent to Accountant's Office for payments made to New Jersey militia during the suppression of the insurrection in Western Pennsylvania.
Tench Francis has been directed to deliver to Hodgdon the provisions that should be transported to the frigate "Constellation." At last report, that vessel is anchored at the mouth of the Patapsco River on its way to the Patuxent River from which Captain Truxton intends to proceed with the first favorable wind.
Enclosed is an order to Tench Francis to deliver to Hodgdon the provisions for the Frigate "Constellation" which should be transported to that ship. Based on Captain Truxton's last account, the "Constellation" is at anchor near the mouth of the Patapsco [River] on his way to the Patuxent [River] for which he intends to proceed with the first favorable wind.
