The powder belonging to Wheelin & Miller was taken by the sheriff and put into the magazine at Philadelphia. The sheriff has since given an order to the keeper of the magazine to deliver it to Mr. Miller who has by his clerk directed it to be sent to Francis.
In addition to enclosed receipts, Miller requests information regarding the exact pay per day of Sergeants, Corporals, Musicians, and Privates so that future mistakes will be avoided.
Wolcott wants a report on the preparations for obtaining the articles required by the Algerian Treaty. Can anything be done to accelerate the production of masts and spars. He also wants Francis's proposals for the lost contracts and the state of all unfinished orders.
Letter to Col. Sergeant received, will be forwarded by safe hand. Requested clarification on how to charge his services as Deputy Commissary of Provisions. Payment for J. Wrenshall.
Wolcott considers the prospect of obtaining the six pounders from Mr. Hughes to be remote so the question arises as to whether the short six pounders on hand can be mounted with the long nine pounders that Hughes has cast. If this is the case, then it must be determined if a suitable and uniform assortment of nine pounders can be obtained. Mr. Francis has made arrangements for the colors to be made for the frigate.
Enclosed copy of Quartermaster, Ordnance, and Hospital stores shipped on flat bottomed boat bound for Fort Massac with instructions to proceed to Natchez.
Requests meeting with diplomats. Refers to the political state in France. Discussion of foreign affairs. Mentions state of finances in France. Refers to late publication of Mr. Adams's work.
Renewal of war seems to be the only option.
Speaks of conspiracy among French ministers violating law of nations. In depth account of treaty negotiations.
Letter regarding recruiting and contingent accounts with vouchers of Dayton returned by Simmons. Dayton only received $47.86 to his credit, the remaining vouchers were inadmissible. Simmons advised future vouchers should contain specific sums for goods and services purchases.
Certification of payments due; $12 is due Private John Martin of the 3rd Regiment and Waiter to Captain Thomas Lewis, being his pay for July through September 1797.
Regarding the Spanish presence at Chickasaw Bluff - located in Tennessee - and Spanish intentions to reoccupy a post in clear violation of Pinckney's Treaty, which placed the Chickasaws under U.S. territory.
James McHenry expresses hope that Isaac Guion has distributed annual presents to the Chickasaws; notes that Spanish officers have obstructed enforcement of the treaty in the U.S.-Spanish Florida border region, but opines that they have been doing so out of fear of a British invasion down the Mississippi. Reiterates that the President and Secretary of War have issued orders to Guion and Wilkinson aimed only at executing the treaty. Directs Guion to leave a small detachment at Chickasaw Bluffs, if necessary, to prevent the Spanish from re-occupying it; registers alarm that citizens of the region have armed themselves and declared independence from Spain, though Spain's jurisdiction over them theoretically ceased some time before.
McHenry expresses frustration at conflicting orders out west in relation to the Chickasaws and Spanish in Tennessee. Alludes to the Spanish breaking the terms of Pinckney's Treaty of 1795, which placed the Chickasaws under U.S. territory. McHenry also reports that he has recently been attacked by a case of the fever.
