The Secretary of War is about to send a detachment to Oswego. Articles such as iron and steel are wanted at Niagara so if there are any at West Point, they should be sent on. If not, they must be purchased.
Instructs the U.S. Army officer commanding in Tennessee in how to coordinate enforcement of the recent act to regulate trade and intercourse with the Indians with the new Indian agent for the region, Silas Dinsmoor.
Instructs the presiding U.S. Army officer in Georgia (Major Constant Freeman) in his powers, relating to the sending of a new Indian agent to manage trade & intercourse with the Creek, Choctaw, and Chickasaw Indians. These include the granting of permits to those doing business with the Indians, the sending of quarterly returns to report on all such people and their respective businesses, the relations and communications between Freeman and the new agent, Benjamin Hawkins, and the powers for punishing and prosecuting transgressors of the new regulations concerning the Indians.
In response to a resolution of Congress, the Treasury is preparing a statement showing the annual expenditures of the War Department through December 1795 in which the expense of the late Militia Army of the Western Expedition is shown. Nourse wants an account of the articles furnished the Militia by the War Department listed under appropriate headings.
Acknowledges receipt of a receipt roll that will be credited on the books of the War Department accountants office. Acknowledges receipt of muster and pay rolls. Notification that he will receive the money for his pay and the pay of his men from Edward Carrington, federal supervisor in Virginia.
Requests documents concerning the settlement of the claim of James Melvin, former matross in Colonel Crane's regiment of artillery, who was stationed at "the Laboratory at Springfield" (powder manufactory) under Bryant's direction
Simmons certifies that $29.13 is due Cadet James Triplett of the Corps of Artillerists and Engineers and the men under his command, being his and their pay for August 1796.
Official commission and instructions for Benjamin Hawkins, as Principal Temporary Agent for Indian Affairs, within the Indian Nations South of the Ohio, and North of the Territorial Line. Includes instructions for managing trade, seeing to the sale of land between Indians & the states (principally Georgia), overseeing boundaries, etc.
Discussion of Indian affairs. Outlines treaty with Creek Nation, including boundaries, trade, punishment of Indian murders, etc. Refers to affairs at Coleraine. Reflects opinion of the President. Questions Indians as subjects of King of Spain or America. Refers to perceptions of Indians as savages and civilization efforts. Mentions acts regulating trade.
Date of death of soldier in the 2nd New York Regiment Commanded by Col. Ian Cortland and what pay was due him so Tessell's representative can receive was is due him.
Forwards September expenditure estimates for the Quartermaster, Indian & Hospital Departments. Comments on the impossibility of extremely accurate estimates.
