Fox encloses a list of military stores that have been ordered to Boston. He wants Hodgdon to inform him of the extent to which these orders have been filled.
Captain Thomas Cole, ship yard clerk at Baltimore is to send materials to Secretary of Treasury that may be used for ship Adrianna; keep accurate account of articles and transmit to War Office.
With regard to the protection of Portland, nine cannon of various sizes are to be provided along with ammunition. Week is asked to immediately seek proposals and contract for the carriages necessary for mounting the cannon at the fort and battery.
Four Indian Chiefs of the Oneida nation state that the twelve hundred and eighty acres should not be given to Lewis and John Denny. It was specified the land be divided into five equal lots to be granted to Sarah Docksteder, Jacob Docksteder, Cornelius Docksteder, Jan Joost, and Nicholas.
Under consideration is the account of John Wilkins, Quartermaster General for disbursements made in Philadelphia by Hodgdon as his agent between July 1 1796 and December 31 1797. Steele notices that in Abstract 4 there is a charge for $6000 for a 65-ton sloop, a sum Steele considers so incredibly high that an explanation is in order. Steele requests the authority under which the purchase was made as well as evidence that proves that the Secretary of War sanctioned this payment.
Enclosed are Swan's warrants No. 598 to No. 608, with payrolls and receipts annexed, amounting to $11,713.73 and an abstract of the same and also an abstract of money received and billed by him up to June 1, 1798. Swan embarks for Fort Washington the next day and asks Simmons to send newspapers when convenient.
It appears that after Vischer has charged himself with the $200 last received, and paying every man his bounty due, he stands indebted to the United States for $159.85.
Tingey recommends James Burns for an appointment as a Second Lieutenant in the rising navy of the United States. Burns studied physic and surgery and was engaged in that capacity on the ship "Granger," under Tingey's command, during a voyage to Madeira and the East Indies. He applied himself to the practice of seamanship and navigation so assiduously that on a second voyage he was employed as a third officer. His sobriety and vigilant attention to business should qualify him for employment in the maritime profession.
Hodgdon cautions that one of Major Swan's ten boxes is missing and it is essential, prior to settling George Rictchie's account, to know the contents and value of the missing box.
Among sundry references to supply and accounting matters, Hodgdon warns of the inevitability of war and mysteriously observes that President Adams "has embraced her element" and soon hopes to hear that "she has a consort."
