Hodgdon informs Smith of his responsibility for ensuring that the packages intended for Capt. Littlefield and his men are transported as quickly as possible.
Certification of payments; $675.08 for detachment of 1st Regiment of Artillerists and Engineers stationed at Mud Island Fort under command of Captain Joseph Elliott.
Explains the regulations applying to extra allowances to officers. For example, officers shall receive in addition to their legal pay $1.25 extra pay for man and horse per day to sleep at a place which is not a military post. Fifty cents travelling expenses are allowed for an officer detached from one military post to another which he may reach the same night, not to exceed forty miles distance. Etc.
McHenry requests that Simmons add whatever new accounting heads [categories] required by Congress at its most recent session, bearing in mind the principles of arrangement established by the Treasury.
Regulations outlining extra allowances in cases where officers are detached on service, which oblige them to incur expenses on the road and at places where there are no military posts.
Agreeably to order of Secretary of War, Scott transmits account against United States for medicines furnished to garrison of Fort Fayette. Scott laments that he has not yet been paid.
Stevens insists that he be appointed the agent for laying out the money appropriated by the State of New York for its defense. He has a large a large family to provide for and if he not given this appointment with appropriate compensation he must quit.
Hodgdon reminds McHenry that Mr. Annelly and the other men are still waiting for orders to go to their new post. An advance has been requested that will allow them and their families to proceed.
Encloses warrants for two military courts: one a general court martial for Captain Thomas Lewis, the other a court of inquiry for Captain Edward Miller. Suggests a standardized procedure to request opinions of Commander in Chief and Major Generals. Outlines his own opinion on the two cases.
McHenry assures Hamilton that he will address the question of Hamilton's pay and emoluments as early as possible. He intends to follow the English system for the recruiting service and will send a copy of the system to Hamilton for his perusal.
When at Mount Vernon McHenry proposed to the Commander in Chief that Smith's name be submitted to the Senate for the post of Adjutant General of the Army. However, objections to the nomination exist among members of the Senate so General Washington has proposed Smith as commandant of one of the regiments.
