Informs Ensign Boote that the Accountant's Office has received his letter enclosing receipts for bounties paid. Adds that he must transmit monthly pay rolls.
McHenry is unable to render judgement on the additional compensation of Col. William Heth without knowing in what respect the performance of his duties has been different from that of other agents and whether he has accomplished savings to the US greater than that of other agents.
McHenry discusses the proposed negotiations with the Cherokee Nation of Indians respecting the purchase of a tract of land from them and the return of certain citizens to the land from which they have been removed. The Commissioners appointed to hold the treaty have been notified of their appointments.
McHenry informed Jackson, Claiborne, and Anderson that the Commissioners appointed to hold treaty were notified of advice given by three authors in previous letter. Commissioners will seek approval of treaty by Cherokees and request land for settlers in Tennessee before spring is over so they can cultivate the land.
Claiborne inquires about the pay of musicians citing the dictum of the Secretary of War that musicians cannot be enlisted but must be employed and are to be paid accordingly.
Notification to Simmons that per Simmons' directions he has paid Capt. Michael Kalteisen the money for his pay and the pay of Lieut. Robeson, Surgeon's Mate Dalcho, and the noncommissioned officers and privates of Kalteisen's detachment. Cover letter for his receipt for money received for his commissions fdor acting as agent for the War Department. Cited in Hagner to Stevens, 03/08/1798.
Certification that $210 is due John Nicholson for his services inspecting and proving sundry public military stores from November 10, 1797 to February 10, 1798.
Hodgdon is asked to furnish a statement of the articles available from the public store from the following list that can be furnished for the frigate "Constellation": powder horns, match stuff, port fires, sheep skins, priming tubes, flannel cartridges for 24 pounders and 12 pounders, cannon and musket cartridge paper, pistol cartridge paper, assorted flints, pouch barrels, spermacite candles, wax for magazine lanterns. Also needed is information on the availability of articles not in the public store that can be purchased as soon as navigation of the river is feasible.
Since the books and documents relative to obtaining patents are in the office of the Accountant, McHenry requests that Simmons provide the necessary documents to those urgently requesting patents pertinent to the Virginia List.
Anderson, Jackson, and Claiborne advised McHenry on time of Treaty with Cherokee's regarding the "affair in Tennessee" that dealt with land rights of settlers and Indians.
Requested assistance in compiling the list of expenses associated with the "Act to provide a Naval Armament", the current expenses far exceeded the estimated amounts and it made McHenry uneasy.
Craig discusses a number of accounting and supply issues, and expresses his mortification regarding the orders of the Secretary of War relative to his claim. The number of men working at the vessels' galleys will greatly increase the expenditures of the post. The general expects his looking glasses to be repaired at the expense of the wagoner.
