Certification that $300 is due Jasper Parish, being his compensation as Interpreter to the Six Nations of Indians from February 17, 1796 to February 1, 1797, sum payable to Israel Chapin.
Letters from Pinckney in Paris have arrived. Delacroix has informed Mr. Monroe that the Directory will not receive a minister plenipotentiary until their grievances have been resolved. Pinckney will remain, however, until he receives a direct order to leave France. Congress probably should be called into session and Pinckney directed to make another effort. If he fails again, he should be sent to a place like Hamburg to await a better disposition from France.
Skinner informs Simmons that it took over fifty days for Simmons' letter to reach him. He says that Simmons' office is unknown to him so the business stated in the letter should be brought to the attention of the Comptroller.
Certification that $477.07 is due a Detachment of the US Regiment under the command of Captain William Preston stationed at Fin Castle [Fincastle] Virginia, being their pay from November 1795 through January 1797.
Seeks to ascertain a clear statement from Capt. DeButts. Records show that Capt. DeButts stands charged with the accounts as outlined. Has not dared to reissue accounts and vouchers but will on the first safe conveyance. Will also send accounts and vouchers for officers. Encloses accounts from Lieut. Hyde and Capt. Damler. Capt. Turner has not yet arrived, and it is rumored that he has gone back to Philadelphia.
Certification that $170.76 is due Private Lewis May of Captain Joseph Shaylor's Company 2nd Sub Legion, being his balance of pay from March 1 to October 17, 1793 and his pay from October 18, 1793, the day he was taken prisoner by Indians, to March 22, 1797, the day of his return from captivity.
Certification that $77.67 is due Lieutenant George Ross of the Corps of Artillerists and Engineers, being his pay and subsistence from December 25, 1796, the day of his acceptance, through February 1797.
Gives instructions for General Wilkinson concerning the Army, including the following subjects: evacuating some frontier posts in order to fill others; the occupation of Spanish forts in Natchez and the Walnut Hills once the Spanish have withdrawn; the distribution of troops so that "no important post is without some part of the Corps of Artillerists & Engineers;" the equipping of dragoons; a proposal for a "Citadel" at Michilimackinac [now Mackinaw City, Michigan]; frontier troops regulations, now in production; the prosecution of fraudulent men within the pay system; the maintenance of military stores; provisions; troop discipline; the maintenance of frontier forts & works; regulations for officers' duties, among other things to keep them from using the "soldiers as servants;" the allowed ratio of women [presumably as camp followers] to men in the army; cost estimates for the army to the government; the distribution of Indian stipends; and the situation of Wilkinson's headquarters.
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.
Capt. George Fleming informs Sprigg that the letter he was expecting while in Philadelphia relative to his account has not been received and he fears it has been lost.
The monies for which Abraham Hunt and Elias B. Dayton still stand charged on Simmons' books have been fully accounted for in settlements made at the Treasury. John Hopkins remains charged on the books of the Treasury but all three accounts should be closed on the books of Simmons' office.
