Directs issue of items to Fort Mifflin, including drums for the use of the fort, and clothing and knapsacks for the use of the men of the 1st Regiment of Artillerists & Engineers. Also directs that clothing which is in store but not suitable for the army should be delivered for use by the four convicts currently incarcerated at Fort Mifflin; Hodgdon reluctantly concedes that they must be clothed, though "no provision is made for such criminal and unhappy men."
The Treasurer of the United States is remitting Fish $972.55 which Fish needs to forward to Joseph Cranch. The money is for the repair and cleaning of arms at West Point. This is in line with the certificate of George Fleming, military storekeeper of West Point.
Simmons received Williams' letter of November 6th, which contained his accounts of expenditures on account of the Springfield Armory for the quarter ending September 30th, which will be examined as soon as possible.
This letter informs Miller that Lieutenant Colonel Tousard is Captain Elliott's replacement. As such, Miller will be pleased to accept payment certificates from Toussard.
Nothing is known about a treaty with France save what was published in the papers. Secondary mention to the burning of the War Department. Cause of fire is now believed to be from a neighbors fire which became uncontrolled and burned through the "thin partition wall" shared by the War Department and the adjoining house.
Simmons sent Elam a letter on March 6th requesting the forwarding of Elam's accounts and vouchers to exonerate himself on Simmons' books, but has yet to receive a reply. Simmons reiterates his request and states that failure to comply will result in Simmons reporting Elam to the Comptroller of the Treasury.
Simmons' letter of March 17th requested that Ellis forward his accounts to exonerate himself on Simmons' books, but Simmons has not received a reply. Simmons repeats the necessity of Ellis' immediate compliance, otherwise Simmons will be forced to report Ellis to the Comptroller of the Treasury.
Owing to the fire, many of the vouchers relating to particular accounts of Swan's were destroyed, and Simmons requests that Swan forward the duplicates to Simmons.
Simmons wrote a letter to Ball on the 16th of October acknowledging receipt of Ball's letter dated October 2nd, along with the accounts and vouchers for his supplies. Simmons requested the authority or contract Ball was operating under, though he is yet to receive a reply. Simmons now writes to request that, due to the fire at the War Department, Ball forward the duplicates of all his vouchers which were observed by Simmons in every instance to be taken by Ball himself or one of his agents.
Simmons examined the accounts of Lieutenant Peyton and Captain Claiborne and found that they had been paid as adjutants to the 1st Regiment for the month of November 1797. The sum which was overpaid to them, in the amount of $16, will be deducted from Swan's accounts.
The Secretary at War authorizes the pay of Tobias Lear for as long a time as was necessary to complete business pertaining to the death of General Washington.
The Secretary at War informs General Wilkinson that the following resignations are accepted: Capt. Ricard, Capt. Gibson, Capt. Taylor, Capt. Miller, and Lt. Stuart.
