Acknowledges receipt of receipt roll for Frye's detachment that will be credited on the books of the War Department accountants office. Notification that he will receive the money for his pay and the pay of his detachment from the federal supervisor at New York, Nicholas Fish.
Advises Fish that he will receive money from the Treasurer of the U. S. that he is to transfer to Captain Federick Frye at Governors Island for the pay of Frye and the detachment under his command.
Certification that $347 is due Surgeon's Mate Samuel Osborne, Captain Frederick Frye and the detachment of the Corps of Artillerists and Engineers under his command at Governor's Island, New York, being his and their pay for May 1797.
Certification that $341 is due Lieutenant Henry Muhlenberg, Surgeon's Mate John R. Lynch, including forage, and Captain Donald Grant Mitchell and the detachment under his command, being his and their pay for May 1797.
Certification that $27.45 is due Captain Donald Grant Mitchell of the Corps of Artillerists and Engineers, being his subsistence for April and May 1797.
Notifies Henley that Captain Richard Sparks must certify the amount of pay due to him before his account can be settled at the War Office. Cited in Simmons to Henley, 06/08/1797.
Discusses various Army pay and accounting issues, including officers' accounts, recruiting accounts, and a deposition concerning the pay of a soldier taken prisoner by Indians. Cited in Swan to Simmons, 07/03/1797.
The Secretary of War believes that the axes wanted by Captain Gibson may be purchased at Staunton. Orders will be given to the Contractor there to to furnish them as Quartermaster's supplies.
In this letter St. Hilaire cryptically speaks of a business transaction to James McHenry. St. Hilaire informs McHenry that he will travel to the country and provide a key to a trunk to "the young gentleman."
Certification that $64 is due John Steel, Coxswain, and the men employed on board the public barge at Mud Island Fort, being his and their pay for May 1797.
Two horseman's tents, twelve common tents, and ten axes should be forwarded to Captain Alexander Gibson in Staunton. Gibson believes that these articles can be found at Shepherds Town in Virginia. If that is the case, they should be forwarded from there. If they are not there or at any other place nearer than Philadelphia, arrangements should be made to have them purchased.
Discusses current poor relations with France, the poor effect of this on trade. Advises that the wisdom of all the governmental branches may be needed to resolve the situation, and that good relations with France be restored as soon as possible. Recommends defensive precautions, nonetheless; these to include the equipping of a naval force to protect shipping, an embargo against France, the raising of appropriate land forces, the improvement of fortifications, an increase in funds available to the armed forces, etc. Includes suggestions on issues in the [Old] Southwest, concerning the withdrawal of Spain from the region and the keeping of the peace between Indian tribes there. Contains a list of suggested negotiation points designed to mollify the French while maintaining a position of neutrality in the French Revolutionary Wars.
