Notifies Major Rivardi that the Secretary of War has decided to advance him two hundred thirty-two dollars in pay and that he will receive the money from Nicholas Fish, federal supervisor in New York
Requests that Fleming account with Lt. Nehemiah Freeman, temporary paymaster at West Point, for money given to him by Freeman and for money remitted to him for the pay of the Corps by rendering an "account current" and paying the balance to Freeman. Letter cited in Fleming to Simmons, 09/16/1796.
Status of Freeman's account on the books of the War Department Accountant's office. Pay of the Corps of Artillerists and Engineers at West Point. Accounting issues. Transmits a receipt for advanced pay Simmons gave to an "artificer" in an Army company
James Hackett's proposals for construction of 36 gun frigate were considerably lower than those of Forman Cheeseman or Mr Peck. But Hackett's time for launching is considerably longer than wished. Cheeseman's proposal estimated 10 months to launch a frigate. Asks to engage Hackett to see if he can launch ship at an earlier time frame.
Attaches a copy of the instructions to Stephen Hillis, new paymaster & military storekeeper for Tennessee. Asks Henley to inventory all public stores which he has care of, and deliver said inventory to Hillis. Directs Henley to receive all of Hillis' receipts and reports as paymaster, review them, and pay out money as necessary. Asks that, if Henley "still" wishes to resign, that he give ample warning to the administration, that a replacement can be chosen and sent to relieve him [a replacement for what, exactly, is unclear. Henley may be the purveyor (that is, purchaser) for Tennessee. Asks that Henley keep on good terms with the governor and officers of Tennessee, and encourage Hillis to do the same. Orders Henley to keep the militia mustered and under the pay of the U.S. until further notice.
Appoints Hillis as deputy paymaster & military storekeeper for Tennessee. Instructions from the Comptroller of the Treasury and the Accountant of the War Department follow, addressing record- and receipt-keeping, the proper filling of forms, the provisioning of troops, the sending of records to the quartmaster, ordnance, clothing, Indian, commissary, and hospital departments as necessary, where he is to set up shop (Knoxville), whence he is to look for additional instructions (the Department of War), the hiring of an assistant, the care of gunpowder, the hiring of artificers to repair federal arms, the disposition of funds with which to pay the militia, and Hillis' own salary.
Oath of Office of Stephen Hillis, Deputy Pay Master and Storekeeper in Tennessee, sworn in by James Willson on August 12, 1796: "I will support the Constitution of the United States and I will well and faithfully execute the several duties and trusts committed to me in my aforesaid capacities."
Simmons certifies that $2374.83 is due the Corps of Artillerists and Engineers stationed at West Point, New York being their pay and forage for June 1796.
