Claiborne inquires about the pay of musicians citing the dictum of the Secretary of War that musicians cannot be enlisted but must be employed and are to be paid accordingly.
Notification to Simmons that per Simmons' directions he has paid Capt. Michael Kalteisen the money for his pay and the pay of Lieut. Robeson, Surgeon's Mate Dalcho, and the noncommissioned officers and privates of Kalteisen's detachment. Cover letter for his receipt for money received for his commissions fdor acting as agent for the War Department. Cited in Hagner to Stevens, 03/08/1798.
Certification that $210 is due John Nicholson for his services inspecting and proving sundry public military stores from November 10, 1797 to February 10, 1798.
Hodgdon is asked to furnish a statement of the articles available from the public store from the following list that can be furnished for the frigate "Constellation": powder horns, match stuff, port fires, sheep skins, priming tubes, flannel cartridges for 24 pounders and 12 pounders, cannon and musket cartridge paper, pistol cartridge paper, assorted flints, pouch barrels, spermacite candles, wax for magazine lanterns. Also needed is information on the availability of articles not in the public store that can be purchased as soon as navigation of the river is feasible.
Since the books and documents relative to obtaining patents are in the office of the Accountant, McHenry requests that Simmons provide the necessary documents to those urgently requesting patents pertinent to the Virginia List.
Anderson, Jackson, and Claiborne advised McHenry on time of Treaty with Cherokee's regarding the "affair in Tennessee" that dealt with land rights of settlers and Indians.
Requested assistance in compiling the list of expenses associated with the "Act to provide a Naval Armament", the current expenses far exceeded the estimated amounts and it made McHenry uneasy.
Craig discusses a number of accounting and supply issues, and expresses his mortification regarding the orders of the Secretary of War relative to his claim. The number of men working at the vessels' galleys will greatly increase the expenditures of the post. The general expects his looking glasses to be repaired at the expense of the wagoner.
Cited in Simmons to Boote, 02/13/1798. William Simmons informs Ensign Boote that his receipts are received but his settlement be delayed pending the actions of Congress.
McHenry encloses the opinions of the Attorney General relative to the claims of Lt. Campbell Smith, Lt. [Bernard] Webb, and Major [Thomas] Cushing. He validates the claims of Lts. Smith and Webb although he does not believe General Wilkinson had the authority to appoint Judge Advocates. Gen. Wilkinson should not have appointed Major Cushing Brigadier Major and Inspector since these are not offices available to field officers.
Certification that $423.70 is due Lieutenant James Sterret, Paymaster to the 1st Battalion of the Corps of Artillerists and Engineers, being the balance of payments made by him to the officers Captain Thomas Pasteur, Captain Zebulon Pike, Surgeon's Mate John Hammell, and his own pay, subsistence, and forage as Lieutenant Adjutant and Paymaster, through December 1797.
Swan asks that Steele give his opinion as Comptroller of Treasury regarding criteria for payments from the Treasury to paymaster of troops. Asks whether paymaster of troops, after transmitting to accountant of War Department, detailed muster rolls, pay rolls, certificates, warrants, receipts, is entitled to credit at Treasury for the amount, or whether this can be delayed by accountant of War Department until sub paymasters have rendered their vouchers. Asks whether paymaster of troops, after submitting sums to commander in chief, are entitled to credit at Treasury for all such sums as have been drawn out of commander in chief of Army.
