Instructions for artillery and infantry at Pittsburgh and promotions for soldiers. Details how to communicate with French and Spanish. Refers to US treaty with Spain. Encourages friendly relationship with the Indians and Spanish.
Instructions for detachment of troops at Chickasaw Bluff and how to deal with the Spaniards. Refers to US treaty with Spain and Baron de Carondelet, Spanish Governor. Details instructions for artillerists and troops. Asks him to watch Natchez and Chickasaw Bluff and supplies, including rifles, saddles, armaments for the Choctaws. Mentions Indian runners from Tellico to Knoxville.
Reports progress with troops along the Mississippi. Provides instructions to proceed to Pittsburgh and report to James O'Hara and Isaac Craig for supplies and transportation. Refers to salary.
Discusses distribution of U.S. forces in territory east of the Mississippi. Requests that information be forwarded to post commanders wherever Guion is not, be they Walnut Hills, Chickasaw Bluffs, or Natchez. Directs Guion to carefully husband Indian gifts, and ascertain the character of the Indian in question before giving anything away, lest the gifts be wasted on an Indian who might lose them. Advises Guion that he may draw upon both McHenry and the payment for the Walnut Hills garrison to pay his men and cover expenses.
Wilkinson responds to Leith, Shepherd and Duffs petition to be able to continue trade in the Ottawa towns. Wilkinson notes that recent military regulations were designed to bring the misdeeds of James McDonald to light. Wilkinson feels he is authorized to regulate within the military reservations, however he is not empowered to authorize Leith, Shepherd and Duff to trade. However, the agent for Indian affairs at Detroit accepted the petitioners attempt at redress, and thus permission was obtained that way.
Leith, Shepherd and Duff are petitioning Wilkinson to allow a trading house to remain in the Ottawa towns. The current clerk at the town, James McDonald, has been charged with dishonorable conduct, and the petitioners offer that Leith shall oversee the trading house until a suitable replacement is found. The three men realize they do not possess the necessary license from the government, and so they enclose a receipt from the clerk of the court for said license. McDonald is charged with having bought horses from the Indians, and if true the petitioners promise they will return them.
Mr. O'Brian has reported on the state of Hughes' furnace and maintains that an 80-ton vessel cannot come within five miles of the works so another mode of transportation must be found. He says that there are vessels at Baltimore that might be available for shipping the cannon. Mr. Stewart should be asked about the price he would require for his schooners to provide this service.
Agreeable to Simmons' instructions, Stevens has paid Capt. Michael Kalteisen $681.29, being the pay of himself and the detachment under his command, including the forage of Surgeon's Mate Frederick Dalcho, stationed at Fort Johnson for the months of July and August 1797.
