Previous estimate of expenses will fall short, additions made to estimate to meet expenditures of Quartermaster's Department. Cannot provide estimates for the Indian or Hospital Department. Drew bills for D. Harragan, Quartermaster General at Fort Washington.
Simmons certifies that eight dollars is due Private Joseph Dowley of Captain Bradley's Company of the 2nd Sub Legion, and waiter to Lieutenant Lukens, being his pay for November and December 1796.
McHenry speaks on behalf of the president, who says he is pleased by the Indians' inclinations toward peace. Notes he is sending Silas Dinsmoor, an Indian agent, to live among them. Says that the prosecution of white killers of Indians will be undertaken, though the Indians should take care to avoid such occurrences of violence. States that if Indians steal from whites, the value of the stolen items will be deducted from their annuities [yearly gifts]; likewise, if whites steal from the Indians, the value of the goods will be added onto the annuities, that no violence will occur between the races. Announces that Benjamin Hawkins & Gen. Andrew Pickens have been appointed to run the boundary, and will commence doing so on April 1.
Acknowledges receipt of muster and pay rolls. Money for the pay will be forwarded by James Read, federal revenue collector at Wilmington, North Carolina
Acknowledges receipt of a receipt that will be credited on the books of the War Department accountants office. Cited in Jackson to Simmons, 09/22/1797.
Simmons certifies that $229.20 is due James Sever, Captain of the frigate building at Portsmouth New Hampshire, being his pay and subsistence for May and June 1796.
Simmons certifies that $7.48 is due John Chisholm, being the balance of expenses for himself, two interpreters, and eight Indians from Philadelphia to New York and back.
Simmons certifies that $79.45 is due Lieutenant Jesse Lukens, Sub Legionary Major 2nd Sub Legion, being his pay and subsistence for November and December 1796 and the subsistence of Joseph Dowley, a soldier of the 2nd Regiment through December 1796.
Simmons received Sever's account for pay and subsistence through June 1796 amounting to $223.20. Sever will receive this sum from Jonathan Jackson, Supervisor at Boston, as soon as Jackson receives his duplicate receipts.
Estimate for building and manning a 36 gun frigate for the Dey of Algiers, to which is added the cost of navigating to Algiers. Includes the carpenter's bill for building the hull; a complete set of masts and yards; joiners; smiths; plumbers; boatbuilders; carriers; coopers; blockmakers; sailmakers; riggers; rigging; ship chandlers; the costs of copper sheathing; cannon; copper pintles and brass; powder shot; military stores; 40 men including officers and their pay and subsistence.
Captain Staats Morris has been given orders to furnish a guard for the protection of frigate and other public property at Baltimore ship yard. Since not much is being accomplished on account of the weather, recommend that the workers be dismissed until spring.
McHenry discusses the pricing of goods, profits, and the need for conducting regular inventories of the factories, stating their value and deducting therefrom all expenses of the year.
Miller corrected missing signature of James Blakeslee on receipt rolls, received Bank Bill from John Chester. Bill exchanged with William Plumb and Miller is waiting for note to clear in New York.
Reports on Indian Nations harassing inhabitants of southwestern territories which constitutes an immediate danger to security of U.S. Advised an expedition to Indian lands.
Among a number of supply matters, Langham notes that he forwarded to Major Craig 615 good blankets and fifteen damaged ones that he did not separate from the good ones. However, they were noted in the inventory and he did not think it proper to charge them to either Craig or Hodgdon in the returns. He also sent Craig 2035 pairs of shoes but the weather being so severe, he fears the wagons will be slow in returning to Shepherds Town.
