Collection

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  Request for Issue of Arms & Accoutrements, Equipment, and Tools

  Directs issue of clothing, arms & accoutrements, equipment, and tools.
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  Request for Issue of Drums & Drumsticks

  Directs issue of drums & drumsticks to Mud Island; two other notations by Major Tousard, as well as the document's envelope, suggest that they were actually meant for Fort Mifflin, and seem to have ended up there.

• [Untitled]

  Letter, Citation only.
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  Proving of cannon and discussion on windage and accuracy

  Will send officers from Corps of Artillerists and Engineers to prove guns. Requests a number of ball in order to test naval gunnery for purpose of experiment, calculating windage. Technical discussion on the the manufacture of weapons, calibers, bores, issue of attaining higher level of accuracy.

• Citation Only

  Cited in Simmons to Ore, 06/25/1798.
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  Recommends Henry Wells as Surgeon's Mate

  Littlejohn calls attention to Henry Wells who wishes an appointment as a Surgeon's Mate on one of the armed vessels of the United States now fitting for sea. Wells formerly lived with Coale & Buchanan and is qualified to act in that capacity. He is the same young man recommended by Colonel Howard and, based on the general goodness of his character, will fill this station with honor to himself and the service.
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  Cannon & Powder for the Frigate "Constitution"

  Hodgdon orders Bryant to make the arrangements for the shipment of cannon and powder by water to Boston for the frigate "Constitution."
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  Letter from the Accountant of the War Department

  Simmons informs Pourcheresse to expect payment from Samuel Lewis.
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  Letter from the Accountant of the War Department

  Simmons provides Lt. Webster a balance of his account.
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  Preparation to Set Sail to Meet French Privateers

  Reports French privateers invading coasts and trade requiring them to defend themselves at sea. Hopes for a speedy departure, and requests that if articles are needed, to seek for them at various ports along the route. Requests Lieut. Triplett to be on board and Lieut. Dyson to furnish recruits. Lists cruising orders along the US coast. Lists hospital stores, utensils, stationary, cabin furniture, weaponry.
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  Ordnance for the Frigate "Constellation"

  Harris is directed to deliver to Samuel Hodgdon the following items intended for the frigate "Constellation": boxes of candles, 24 pound canister shot, 12 pound canister shot, and canister shot for small howitzers.
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  Ordnance & Supplies for the Frigates "Constitution" & "Constellation"

  Hodgdon is directed to order barrels of cannon and barrels of musket powder to be transported from Springfield to the frigate "Constitution" anchored at Boston. Mr. Harris has been directed to deliver to Hodgdon for transportation to the frigate "Constellation," anchored in the Chesapeake, boxes of candles, 24 pound canister shot, 12 pound canister shot, and canister shot for small howitzers.

• Notification of Letter Sent to Gov. of Mass. Requesting Cannons

  There will not be time to procure 12 pound guns for the frigate, so McHenry has written the Governor of Massachusetts to obtain a loan of as many of the cannon from Castle Island as Nicholson requires for the upper battery. Nicholson is encouraged to select and install the guns as soon as the loan is approved.

• Order to Furnish Recruits to Capt. Truxtun

  If Captain Truxtun requests recruits from Dyson, he should find volunteers for the cruise, making sure that they understand that they will return to the infantry at the end of the voyage and that while acting as marines they will be entitled to a marine's pay.

• List of Supplies to be Transported from Springfield to Frigate Constitution at Boston

  McHenry asks Hodgdon to order 160 barrels of cannon and 8 barrels of musket powder transported from Springfield to Boston for the frigate Constitution. Mr. Harris should deliver candles and other goods to be sent to the Constellation which is in the Chesapeake.

• Order to Arm and Stock Ship for Defense of Cape Henry

  The Secretary of War wants to have as much naval force at sea as soon as possible due to the number of French privateers on the US coast. He hopes that Truxtun is ready to sail, but any articles wanting should be purchased at his present location or at Norfolk. Enclosed are letters to Lt.s Triplett and Dyson with orders. McHenry also encloses instructions for Truxtun from Congress. His cruising ground is to be from Cape Henry to the Southern Limits of the US, particularly South Carolina and Georgia's main harbors. He should send journals and reports back to McHenry as often as possible. Most of the stores Truxtun ordered have been sent, except for those in an enclosed; anything which does not make it on to the ship soon will be forwarded to Charleston to be picked up there.
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  Letter from the War Office to the Governor of Massachusetts requesting cannon to outfit USS Constitution

  With preparations for war with France underway, Captain Nicholson, commander of USS Constitution has examined cannons and desires they be used for ship use. They are improper cannons for fortification and harbor defense anyway. By direction of President of United States John Adams, in order to arm the frigate Constitution, the War Office requests a loan of 14 or 16 cannon [eighteen pounders] from Castle Island, Boston Harbor, Massachusetts. Offers to return or replace the cannon. Offers to obtain cannon from Providence Rhode Island to provide for interim defense of Boston Harbor. Assumes that state of Massachusetts has also had cannon balls cast for these cannon and asks that they also be provided. Timely response requested.
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  Letter from the War Office to Mssrs. Nicklin and Griffith requesting arms for Marines of Ship of War Delaware

  Request to Messrs. Nicklin and Griffith to provide US Marines on Ship of War Delaware with pistols, stand of arms with bayonets, and cutlasses in preparation for war with France.
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  Sails for the Ship "United States"

  "You wll deliver to David Ross of the ship United States the sails of the said ship."
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  Candles & Shot for the Frigate "Constellation"

  Harris asked to deliver the following to Samuel Hodgdon for the use of the Frigate "Constellation": boxes of candles, 24 pound cannister shot, 12 pound cannister shot, and cannister shot for small howtizers.
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  Request for Issue of Stores to New Frigate, United States

  Directs issue of vast amount of stores to outfit the new frigate United States.
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  Naval Policy, Cannon for Frigates, Etc.

  McHenry discusses Naval policy; discusses Frigate Constitution; mentions cannon for fortification; discusses cannon for frigate.

• Citation Only

  Cited in Simmons to McCall, 06/21/1798.

• Letter Citation

  Cited in Simmons to Bryant, 06/02/1798.
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  Receipts for Bounty Paid Last Week

  "Enclosed I transmit you receipts for bounty paid last week amounting to twenty dollars."