The Secretary of War has declared that until a permanent arrangement can be made for the transportation of goods to and from Augusta and Savannah, Price can employ the persons he mentioned in his recent letter.
Transmitted information to the Secretary of War, who, following Lewis's suggestions, has ordered Mr. Francis to purchase and Mr. Harris to transport groceries for the garrison. Regrets opposition among officers about troops purchasing from the factory.
Mr. DeCosta informs Wolcott that the nine pounders produced by Hughes' furnace are of sufficient quality for the frigate though they still should be cleaned and proved. If the six pounders are also adequate they should be shipped with directions issued relative to the carriages. A considerable portion of the articles stipulated in the treaty apparently can be shipped on the frigate.
The nine pounders will answer the purpose for which they were manufactured and should be sent though Hodgdon should judge whether they should examined, cleaned and proved before they are shipped. If they meet our needs, the six pounders should also be shipped under the direction of Mr. Francis since they will appear in his account of the frigate.
Muster and pay rolls for July and August received. Simmons deducted pay of Sergeant David Stanton, who was paid at Office on the day of his discharge. Simmons added $8.00 to pay rolls for Lieut. Robeson for an increase in pay. Total amount of pay and forage: $681.29, dispensed by David Stevens.
Treasurer will remit $681.29 to be paid to Captain Michael Kalteisen after acquisition of receipts. Money is pay for July and August services of Kalteisen and his detachment including the Forage of Frederick Dalcho, Surgeon's mate, all stationed at Fort Johnston.
Letter with duplicate receipts for bounty paid recruits received. $200.00 will be transmitted in a post or two by Mr. S. Lewis for recruiting services.
Certification of payments due; $681.20 is due Captain Michael Kalteisen, Lieutenant Jonathan Robeson, Surgeon's Mate Frederick Dalcho (including forage), and the non-commissioned officers and privates under the command of Captain Kalteisen, being his and their pay for July and August 1797.
The Secretary of the Treasury sends to the Secretary at War a letter that encloses a general statement of expenditures for the Naval establishment for the year 1797. Enclosures to this letter are marked A through H and include a general abstract. The abstract is endorsed by Joseph Nourse.
Updates Pickering on his fever and mentions an insurrection involving Spanish troops. McHenry hopes for the expulsion of the Spanish from posts in U.S. territory.
Acknowledges receipt of Adams' last letter -- apologizes for slowness or response, as he has been down with fever and had little assistance in transcribing letters. Discusses the disposition of troops on the western frontier, and some offense presumed by the Spanish commandant at New Madrid. An appended page lists enclosures of letters which will explain these issues.
McHenry speculates about the political situation in France and wonders whether those members of the French Directory who favor peace will be able to prevail over those who favor war.
