Certification that $622.23 is due a detachment of the Corps of Artillerists and Engineers at Governors Island, New York under the command of Captain Frederick Frye, being for the pay, subsistence, and forage of the officers and the pay of the non-commissioned officers and privates through July 1798.
Certification that $154.61 is due John Bryant, Deputy Commissary of Military Stores at Springfield Massachusetts, being his salary for April through June 1798 including sundry expenses for the Ordnance Department under the direction of Samuel Hodgdon, Superintendent of Military Stores.
Certification that seven dollars is due Joel Cook, late a sergeant in the detachment at Middletown, Connecticut under the command of Captain Edward Miller, being his pay for October 1797.
Reaffirms Washington's right to appoint whoever he pleases to positions in the Provisional Army. Informs him that John Adams' nomination of Smith for Adjutant General was rejected by Senate.
Harris is asked to deliver to the order of the Secretary of the Navy nine six-pound cannon for which he will return others of equal value in one month.
Enclosed are four receipts for bounty amounting to twelve dollars. Dayton would like his pay and subsistence for June and July sent the following week.
Read has paid a bill related to the expenses of conveying Benjamin Wood, a deserter from Fort Mifflin, from Easton to Spring Garden. Should the bill and receipts be transmitted to Simmons?
Exasperated, Freeman requested Simmons relieve him of suspense regarding unanswered letters sent by Freeman to the War Office. Freeman requested Simmons inquire about an important letter with enclosures sent to the Secretary of State. "For Gods sake send me some letters."
Duplicates of previous letters enclosed.
Pleased to announce the appointment of a major general in the army by the President and the Senate. Refers to upcoming campaign and lists names of potential candidates, including Pinckney and Hamilton, including their qualifications. Mentions congressional military code with laws determining rank and promotion between military offices.
Acknowledges receipt of a letter informing him that Adams has appointed him a Major-General in the army. Expresses extreme dissatisfaction at his being below in rank to Major Generals Hamilton and Pinckney. Points out that Hamilton was only a captain and Pinckney only a colonel during the Revolutionary War, while he had the rank of Brigadier-General.
Lieutenant Colonel Butler observes that by a law a regiment is to consist of ten companies, and assumes that the Senior Lieutenants now in his regiment will receive the command of those companies, otherwise causing discontent. Butler adds that he has detached two officers on recruiting service, including one to Kentucky. Butler concludes by stating that he has ordered seven disordered cavalry horses to be sold, along with fourteen pack horses, in exchange for corn for the troops - the information for which he encloses.
Mills has offered himself to the President and the Secretary of War for a commission in the Army. He asks Hodgdon to attest to his character and provide whatever recommendation he thinks Mills deserves. He believes his long service as a captain in the Revolutionary War should entitle him to a majority.
Captain Bryant has mentioned the propriety of cleaning the French arms in the stores and it would be more convenient to do it now rather than later. Colonel Larett [?] from Plymouth County has offered to buy the barrels condemned during the proving by Mr. Nicholson. Since they are useless and will soon be covered with rust, they should be sold along with the refuse bayonets and rods. They could fetch as much as $200 for the public.
