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Book A Page 381

Dep War, Accountant Office 1-8-96

Sec War:

In the 14th of April 1795 immediately after my appointment to this office an account was presented to me by a John Nicholson charging his services as a Superintendent and Inspector of Arms from the 12 of July 1794 to the 31st of March 1795 at the rate of $70 per month amounting to 606.66 dollrs with the following certificate annexed thereto, Viz

Philad. April 11, 1795- I certify that in consequence of a written order, received from the late Secretary of War, I notified John Nicholson of his appointment as Superintendent of Armourers, and that his pay as such should commence on the 12th of July 1794 as above stated. (Signed) Sam'l Hogdon

On the reference to your office the following note was made-

War Office 14 April 1795 On comparing the records of the War office I certify that the above certificate of Samuel Hogdon is true in all its parts (Signed) John Stagg, Chf Clk.

From the above I was led to believe that Mr Nicholson had been regularly appointed under the act of Congress of April 2, 1794 for establishing arsenals and that he was appointed by the President of the United States in consequence of which his salary has been since allowed to the 1st instant amounting to the further sum of 630 dollars. On examining the accounts of Samuel Hogdon lately rendered to this office as Superintendent of Military Stores I found that he was paying persons for doing the duty of inspecting and superintending, which I suppose d should be required of Mr Nicholson, upon inquiry of Mr Hogdon he informs me that he has no control over Mr Nicholson and does not call on him for any such service I have therefor from the above information thought it proper to apply at your office for an extract of the late Secretary's xxxxxx of War latter of the 12of July 1794 referred to by Mr Hogdon, this I presume was wrote under an expectation that there would be a national armory fixed in this city under the said act of Congress of 2nd April 1794 this letter mentioned that "He will be superintendent but it will be necessary first to secure the Presidents approbation" the Act of Congress made it absolutely necessary that the appointment should be made by the President of the United States, this does not appear to have been done, I shall therefor in future not conceive myself authorized to admit any further charge of Mr Nicholson for his pay as Superintendent, unless his appointment should be confirmed according to law, and would wish that the proper steps be taken to notify him thereof---

I am etc.

Wm Simmons. A/c War Dept.