Informed Simmons that Haskell wrote J. Stagg with power of attorney to settle his accounts and send Haskell the balance due him. Haskell verified he enclosed all the necessary documents. Haskell never heard word from Stagg, he then wrote Stagg again informing him that he would have to draw a balance on his account due to business. Lack of response made Haskell anxious. Currently building a house and plantation therefore Haskell could not go to Philadelphia to settle his accounts in person.
Sends his muster and pay rolls. Captain Bruff presumes that this will be his last submission of muster and payrolls for this command. He mentions his account, and paying the Fort's garrison in July, and possibly in August. Discusses state of recruiting at the Fort as dull business and disheartening because of the lack of reenlistments. Of twenty-five eligible reenlistments, only a few will reenlist "in this country." Captain Bruff mentions the problems resulting from the transfer of recruits in companies recruited by officers as destructive to officer ambitions.
Wolcott discusses Mr. Carter's report on the fitness of Mr. Hughes' furnace and finds an unacceptable situation at that place. If Hughes is not able to supply the guns for the Algerian frigate, then the guns should be obtained from the public magazine. The frigate is ready for the guns and if it is detained, it is solely due to the want of them.
Reports from Ebenezer Bullard about assistance at the factory. Prefers not to discharge Bullard but seeks to suspend him until he resigns or quits. Recommends William Carson, a friend of Captain Finley, who has good blacksmith skills. Seeks instruction for affairs before he leaves for Philadelphia.
Certification that $150 is due Francis Mentges, Inspector of the Troops and Garrisons, being his compensation for August 1797 and the bounties paid by him to six recruits and the premium allowed him for enlisting said recruits.
Dayton's account credited due to submission of receipt rolls. Simmons recommended sending vouchers for bounty to be paid by Post for expedited mailing with minimal risk.
Simmons received letter from Lieutenant John Saunders dated September 2nd containing muster and pay rolls for August. Total amount: $310.35. Additional monies added to total for payment of Simeon Jarvis, David Patteson Surgeon's mate, and Cuthbright Shelton. Deductions from total were taken for over-calculation of Patteson, Michael Shannon, David Griffith, and Benjamin Wells' pay. Remaining sum: $322.28 will be delivered by Carrington. Blackburn will receive credit on his account for Isaac Smith's $4.00 receipt contained in Lieut. Saunders letter.
Treasurer will issue Carrington $322 to pay Captain Richard S. [Blackburn] upon acquisition of receipts. Payment for [Blackburn] and his detachment, including forage of David Patterson, Surgeon's mate. Simmons notes that he has consulted with Secretary of War on paying money to the Lieutenant in absence of Captain, and the Secretary of War says the business is to pursue course as if he was present. Simmons expects the Secretary [?] him being absent from the post and would probably be with you to receive the money.
Claims of pecuniary nature sent from West Point to the Office may be discontinued as Simmons nor any civil Magistrate are not vested with powers to satisfy Rochefontaine's claims.
Lieutenant Nehemiah Freeman, temporary paymaster at West Point will receive $161.00 from Hamilton Fish upon presentation of duplicate receipts to Mr. Fish. Simmons advised Freeman on accounts of Captain William Littlefield, Henry Hannah, William Ryan, Colonel Rochefontaine, and Captain McRea to be settled with unappropriated monies. Simmons notes that he cannot see anything sufficiently satisfactory in Colonel Rochefontaine's remarks on the account of Findley and Cornwall to enable him to act on it. Simmons asks that Rochefontaine judge what would be a reasonable estimate for these men.
Treasurer will remit sum of $961.00 to Fish to pay Lieut. Nehemiah Freeman upon collection of Freeman's receipts for pay and forage of officers, pay of the non-commissioned officers and Privates of the garrison at West Point.
Certification that $322.28 is due a detachment of the Corps of Artillerists and Engineers at Fort Norfolk, being the pay of Captain Richard S. Blackburn, Lieutenants John Saunders and James Triplett, Cadets Peter Lambkin and Thomas Blackburn, Surgeon's Mate David Patteson (including forage), and the non-commissioned officers and privates, for August 1797.
Letter, encloses receipts of Ensign Henry Rogers and Captain Alexander Gibson and requests instructions regarding remittance to be paid Captain Blackburn.
