Simmons received Boss' letter of September 30th which contained the returns of Major Darling, Lieutenant Whipple, and Lieutenant Danforth for quarters and fuel during 1799. The whole amount is being returned as Boss made a claim for money paid in lieu of these quarters and fuel which was rejected previously. The reason for rejection was because the account presented currently does not correspond with the amount previously charged. Simmons charges Boss with remitting these returns to the three officers so that they make make personal applications on their own behalf.
Certification of payment; $129.40 to Doctor Edward Conrad, for medical services rendered to detachment under command of Captain Ferdinand L. Claiborne while on march from Winchester Virginia to Pittsburg Pennsylvania, admitted agreeably to report of Doctor Gillaspy and Doctor Strong.
Certification of payment; $13 to Lieutenant Lurman Mosby, Paymaster to the 18th Regiment of Infantry, balance of his account as paymaster, pay, subsistence, forage, and expenses.
Certification of payment; $826.76 to Elijah and Simon House, for rations, quarter master, hospital supplies, and expenditures for use of garrison at Fort Trumbull, and Captain Bissells recruits at Hartford Connecticut.
Simmons received Henley's letter of October 29th along with his waste book. He relates to Henley the situation regarding the fire in the War Department and states that it will take some time before he can get his papers in order. Simmons states that many vouchers and statements will be required from Henley in order to settle his account. No vouchers of the payments made to William Chandler have been forwarded to Simmons, and all the pay and muster rolls are necessary to settle his accounts. Anyone to whom Henley has provided advances must render their accounts to Henley for settlement, as well as deal with any remaining balances. A general statement of monies received and expended is desirable, but enumerating individual items is not necessary. Arranging expenditures under different heads and referring vouchers to these heads would be ideal. Reference to War Department fire.
Simmons notes the unfortunate accident which occurred the past Saturday night in the house in which the War Office was held, having taken fire. It consumed many of the papers. Simmons notes that his papers were generally saved, having been removed before the fire communicated to his apartment. But those papers of Secretary of War were generally consumed. Notes that many statements will be required from Henley for settlement.
Transfer all information regarding recruiting to Major Kingsbury who will assume Buell's post and Buell is to proceed immediately to Pittsburgh and await further instruction.
Enclosed is an estimate of the expenditures of the Armory for November. Mr. Lyman's condition is critical and he is confined to his bed. Hodgdon's wishes for his improved health are gratefully received.
Williams submits estimate of expenditures on account of United States Armory at Springfield Massachusetts. Includes payroll, supply of iron and steel and incidental and contingent expenses amounting to $3700.
Notification that estimate of expenditures has been forwarded along with second submission of claims by several officers for compensation. Cites movement of office to different locations as reason for possibly missing the request for compensation.
Simmons received Crary's letter of October 20th which contained accounts for expenditures relating to the fortifications at Newport for August, September, and October. Reference to War Department fire.
Simmons received Jackson's letter of November 3rd along with his receipts and expenditures relating to the fortifications at Boston last September. Reference to War Department fire.
Simmons received Hodgdon's letter of November 8th which carried with it a statement of the provisions delivered to Mr. O'Hara by the Commissary General as per Simmons' request. Reference to War Department fire.
Wilkins' letter of October 31st was received along with its accompanying accounts. Because they were below stairs and removed before the fire reached them, Simmons' papers were saved, whereas the Secretary of War lost the majority of his. Simmons states that there is now a fixed principle which will govern Simmons in the settling of Wilkins' accounts, and as soon as normalcy returns he will deal with them.
Simmons received Whelen's letter of November 6th with packages of accounts. Simmons will have to spend a considerable amount of time organizing his papers, precluding an immediate reply. Simmons mentions the recent fire in the War Department, noting that a good number of Simmons' papers were saved, whereas those of the Secretary of War were for the most part lost.
Those Gentlemen who have applied for military appointments in the service of the United States are informed that their applications with all the recommendatory letters accompanying were consumed by fire in the War Office on Saturday evening last. Those who desire to be considered as candidates will see the propriety of renewing their applications.
