Papers of the War Department · Documents · Collection

Regarding the Swords

Williams has written to Mr. Starr regarding the swords and will let Hodgdon know as soon as he receives an answer.

Request for Sundries from General James Wilkinson

Letter, discusses request for sundries from General James Wilkinson for 1st, 2nd & 3rd Infantry Regiments.

Certification of payment; John Coffin, Surgeons Mate, 1st Regiment of Artillerists and Engineers, for expenses traveling from Niagara to Oswego

Certification of payment; $40 to John Coffin, Surgeons Mate, 1st Regiment of Artillerists and Engineers, for expenses traveling from Niagara to Oswego New York.

Letter from the Collector of the Military Department

Letter from Griffith James McRee, Collector for the Military Department at Fort Johnston and Wilmington, to William Simmons, War Department Accountant. Citation only.

Letter to the Accountant of the War Department

Letter from William Shute to William Simmons, War Department Accountant. Citation only.

Simmons Chastizes Ball for Operating With an Expired Contract and for Neglecting to Furnish Receipts

Simmons notes that the has received Ball's letter of the 2nd of October, which contained his account and vouchers for supplies during 1800 for different recruiting parties in the state of North Carolina, the sum of which has been claimed for $1926 and 36.5 cents. However, before those accounts can be executed it is necessary for Ball to produce the authority under which he made the supplies as well as the contract which fixed his compensation. Simmons states his surprise that Ball did not feel this would be necessary, considering that Ball's contract with the public expired on December 31, 1799. Looking over Ball's accounts Simmons remarks that Ball neglected a very material point, as Ball in every case has failed to produce a receipt for the settlements made with his agents for money expended by them. The importance of this was impressed upon Ball in Philadelphia when Ball had the account of Doctor Newman returned to him because he did not have a receipt for the money claimed. In spite of all this, Ball again has exhibited an account without any receipts. Simmons expects Ball's immediate attention regarding this matter.

Simmons Addressing the Secretary of War on the Subject of Rations Requisitioned for the Wives of Officers

Simmons has examined the accounts of Elias B. Dayton and noticed that he has issued on the order of Lt. Colonel William Smith of the former 12th Regiment rations for the wives of officers. Simmons details the rations allotted for different time periods to several officers' spouses. He states that charges such as these are "entirely unprecedented," and he knows of no regulation or authority that could authorize Lt. Col. Smith to make these requisitions. However, Simmons notes, the contractor is obligated to comply with the requisitions of the commanding officer, and thus Simmons must admit these charges to the contractor's credit. The question arises, which Simmons states must be decided by the Secretary of War, of the way in which the United States is supposed to be reimbursed in this situation.

Certification of payment; Henry Wheteroft, Assistant Postmaster at Washington City for postage and letters addressed to and from Caleb Swan

Certification of payment; $388.76 to Henry Wheteroft, assistant postmaster at Washington City for postage and letters addressed to and from Caleb Swan.

Expenses of Officers Detached on Special Duty

Officers attached on special duties, like that of a Judge Advocate, is justly entitled to full indemnity for his extra and necessary expenses.

Duties of the Quartermaster General

The Quartermaster General's department needs some systematic arrangement but is hardly susceptible to precise rules. He therefore has wide discretion in his actions but still must act with due attention, economy, and discretion.

Transfer to Fort Johnston

Captain Bruff receives official notification that he has been transferred to Fort Johnston on the Cape Fear River in South Carolina. He is charged with guarding the country from maritime depredations and protecting the harbor from injury or insult.

A Return of Arms, Accoutrements, Ammunition, Etc.

A return of arms, accoutrements, ammunition, camp equipage, and clothing in the possession of Valentine Brother, late a Captain of the 9th Regiment of Infantry at the time of the Army's being disbanded. Included are the arms delivered by Captain Brother to Lieutenants Strother and Johnson of the Marine Corps, and the arms remaining with Capt. Brother.

Threat by the Master Armorer

Williams alerts Hodgdon that the Master Armorer has threatened that those giving evidence in the court case against the Superintendent will lose their employment at the works.

Extract of Captain Valentine Brother's Letter

Extract of letter from Captain Brother to the Secretary of War, enclosing a return of public property.

Delivery of Uniforms, Arms for Companies of Artillerists and Engineers

Letter, directs delivery of uniforms, arms for companies of Artillerists and Engineers.

Simmons Writing Humphreys About the Standing of His Accounts and the Misuse of his Position

Simmons did not receive additional accounts he was expecting from Humphreys, and so simply carried out an examination of the accounts in his possession, which was for rations supplied to the troops at Staunton, Virginia, from June 10th to December 31 1799, in the amount of $14428. $272 is added for attending to and providing medicine to Captain Gibson's Recruits in January and February of 1800. $2382.10 is deducted for "causes particularly stated in the enclosed Account of differences to which I refer you, as well as to the remarks on the suspended vouchers." This leaves the sum of $12318.00 which is to be put in Humphreys' credit against the sum of $13314.10, which leaves the sum of $996.10 that Humphreys is being left accountable for until the stated difficulties on the suspended vouchers are "obviated and returned to this Office for reexamination." Simmons goes on to mention that most of the purchases Humphreys has made are not backed up by any bills or receipts to confirm that the money was actually spent to those ends. Simmons feels that obtaining affidavits to the general truth of the accounts in the office, particularly the sums and lists of items purchased, is the closest thing to a remedy at this point. Apparently in Humphreys' last account that was settled in Simmons' office, the price of wood for fuel was only $1.50 per cord whereas in this current account the price is two and in some cases even three times the price per cord. Simmons feels that in personal statements made by Humphreys with officers for undrawn fuel and rations that he has assumed for himself a power which is not granted to him by his contract. The part of the money that has been improperly expended has been placed on Humphreys' credit, and the officers will be held responsible for improper requisitions. This is because the officers have already left the station, and holding Humphreys directly responsible would prevent him at this point from being properly reimbursed. Simmons requests that Humphreys direct his immediate attention to the accounts enclosed with this letter and toward providing the remaining accounts Simmons requires. The postscript informs Humphreys that Simmons is enclosing the general account and vouchers for supplies issued in 1800 as subcontractor under J. O'Hara, which amounts to $429.27. Humphreys may make a claim to those under whom he has acted and furnished the supplies.

Certification of payment; Samuel F. Powell for services while employed as clerk by Brigadier General Wilkinson

Certification of payment; $75 to Samuel F. Powell for services while employed as clerk by Brigadier General Wilkinson.

Certification of payment; Captain James Bruff, 1st Regiment Artillerists and Engineers for expenses while detained at Seat of Government by order of Brigadier General Wilkinson

Certification of payment; $55.20 to Captain James Bruff, 1st Regiment Artillerists and Engineers for expenses while detained at Seat of Government by order of Brigadier General Wilkinson.

Certification of payment; J. Griffin, Surgeons Mate, for expenses traveling from Richmond to Washington, by order of Brigadier General Wilkinson

Certification of payment; $33.42 to John Griffin, Surgeons Mate, for expenses traveling from Richmond to Washington, by order of Brigadier General Wilkinson, and returning to Norfolk Virginia.

Letter Citation

Cited in Hodgdon to Craig, 11/21/1800.

Request for Receipts to Substantiate the Charges in Gaithers account

Gaither says that the receipts that Simmons wants to substantiate charges in his account are in a book that cannot be conveyed to Simmons. He notes that every necessary proof has been submitted to close his account. Discusses difficulties with contractors and has had to apply to the contingent fund for articles they were bound to furnish.

[Untitled]

Letter, directs purchase and deposit of tools for Harper's Ferry.

Simmons Writing Byers About the Sum Which Will be Forwarded to him by Nicholas Fish

Simmons informs Byers that his letter of October 7th, which enclosed his accounts and vouchers for rations delivered to the Armorer at Springfield for July, August and September of 1800, was received. The balance of $1545.10 which is due Byers will be delivered by Nicholas Fish when Byers furnishes the necessary receipts. Furthermore, the letter which Byers enclosed for the Secretary of War was delivered, and should the Secretary decide to provide the advance Byers requested, Simmons will make sure Byers is informed. The postscript to this letter informs Byers that the Secretary of War has signed a warrant which will allow a $1000 advance.

Simmons Writing Nicholas Fish Regarding a Sum to be Forwarded to James Byers, Jr.

Simmons informs Fish that the Treasurer of the United States is remitting Fish the sum of $1545.10, which is a balance due to James Byers, a contractor in Springfield, MA, for food supplies and for the armorers in Springfield. The balance applies from July 1st to September 20th of 1800. Simmons requests that Fish please forward the money to Byers in New York when Byers provides the necessary receipts.