Senator Dayton requests some additional information about the supplying of rations to U.S. troops stationed in both Elizabethtown and New Jersey as a whole. Dayton wishes to know whether the supply of rations such as beef and pork will be delivered to any one post in particular, or to the whole state of New Jersey. Dayton also wishes to know whether the rations will be divided proportionately, or left to the contractor or commanding officer to decide.
Asks McHenry to urge future courts martial to pay attention to every detail, especially in life or death cases, as the discipline of the army depends on this exactness. Seems to decline to sign the warrant for the execution of Sgt. Richard Hunt, though he states that if an example is necessary for the public justice, the execution of Hunt or Pierce [presumably another convicted man] is acceptable.
Routine correspondence concerning the appointment, transfer, promotion, discharge, desertion, leave, and assignment of individual officers and soldiers
Routine correspondence concerning the appointment, transfer, promotion, discharge, desertion, leave, and assignment of individual officers and soldiers
Reports that Stevens's business is not yet settled; Stevens has written to the Secretary, requesting him to accept the terms or find someone to take his place. The Quartermaster's objections to the Armourer's account are unfounded; Armourers in the field were always under the command of artillery commanding officers or the military stores department or the quartermaster. Reports that the Paymaster General has arrived. Fever has subsided in the city
Nicholson is empowered to employ someone to assist in inspecting muskets, stocks, musket barrels, locks, bayonets, and ramrods at the public works in Philadelphia. He will paid at the rate of one dollar per day.
McHenry extols the spirit manifested by the people in most parts of the Union to support their government in response to the ambitious views of France. The regular regiment to be raised in Virginia already has a full compliment of officers so the gentlemen recommended by Cavendish will be candidates for commissions in the eventual army if it becomes necessarty to raise it. Their names will be forwarded to General Washington who has been charged with making the selection of the officers alloted for Virginia.
Commanding from Portland, Maine, Captain Stoddard asks what channel he must go through to submit an application for clothing: Hodgdon, the War Department, or General Hamilton. States that clothing for a full company will soon be necessary.
