[Letter] 1793 Sept., Augusta, [to the] Governor of Georgia / Constant Freeman

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Augusta,
September 1793
Sir
I have the honor to Submit to Your Excellency extracts from the instructions I have received from the Secretary of War, for the performance of certain duties in the Staff departments of the army, within the States of Georgia and South Carolina to wit,

"The recent threatening appearances of the Creek Indians against the frontiers of the State of Georgia require a more extensive provision of the means of defence [defense] at the expence [expense] of the United States than has hitherto existed in that quarter. And in order that the Supplies may be furnished with the greatest possible economy in the Several departments, You are hereby, with the approbation of the President of the United States, constituted an Agent for the War department for the troops, which may be employed in Georgia and South Carolina under the authority and at the Expence [expense] of the United States."



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"All the Supplies in the Quarter masters ordnance, clothing, Pay, Indian and commissary of provisions departments will come under your inspection, or cognizance."


"The troops, regular or militia must be mustered and inspected monthly in all practicable cases either in your presence, or by Some person who may be appointed by the commanding officer of the federal troops for the purpose. Great accuracy must be observed in this operation as much of the economy of the troops will depend thereon."


"The articles in the Quarter master's department, Arms, Ammunition and accoutrements must be drawn upon regular returns of officers commanding troops or companies, signed by the commanding officer of the battalion or regiment; and all deficiencies must be accounted for at each inspection."


"The payment of the troops to be made according to the rules established by the comptroller of the Treasury herewith delivered -- The Instructions to the paymaster general to be executed by you."


"It will be your duty to investigate, that all returns for rations, or other articles are conformably to the number of troops."



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By the aforegoing [foregoing] extracts, Your Excellency will be pleased to observe, that it is the desire of the Secretary of War to introduce regularity into the Several departments which have any relation with the War Office.
One principal inducement for the appointment which I have the honor to fill, is, that the militia who have been, or may hereafter be called into Service at the expence [expense] of the United States should be regularly paid.
For this purpose I have been furnished with a Sum of money to pay certain companies and detachments of dragoons called into Service in the course of the last and present year, to wit.

Capt. Jonas Fauche, for his detachment from the
10h June to the
19h July 1792. 844.67
The Same officer, from the
20th of October 1792, to the
6th of February 1793. 3,190.60
Capt. John Barnett, for his detachment, from the
8th of June to
6th July 1793 497.21
Capt. Ferdinand Phinizy's company from the
19th of December 1792, to the
14th of February 1793. 3,161.80



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Capt. Charles Williamson's company for Service performed at different periods in the year
1792. 2,998.70

making the Sum of Ten thousand, Six hundred and ninety two dollars and ninety eight cents.
I have now the honor to request, that Your Excellency would be pleased to appoint Some Suitable person to do the duties of Paymaster to the militia, who is to be Subject to the rules and regulations established by the Comptroller of the Treasury for the payment of the Troops; and who is to give bond with Sufficient [unclear text: Securities ] for the faithful performance of the trust reposed in him. To the person So appointed I shall deliver the money above mentioned.
That the militia may be regularly paid, it is absolutely requisite that they should be mustered agreeably to the rules established for that purpose. That your Excellency may possess the necessary information on this Subject, and that the paymaster may understand what duties will be required of him; I have extracted from the Comptroller's instructions to the Paymaster general everything relative to these Subjects, which I now have the honor the enclose.


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Agreeably to the Said instructions the paymaster general is to certify to the commanding officer the amount due on the payrolls, and payment is to be made by virtue of the Said officer's warrant. I am directed by the Secretary of War to deviate from this part of the instructions and instead of certifying the rolls to the commanding officer, to transmit them with an estimate to the Accountant of the War department, from whom I shall receive the money necessary for the discharge of the Same.
In the aforesaid instructions a mode is pointed out for mustering and paying detachments of the regular troops, which may be in remote garrisons; but as this will not apply to the militia, who are generally but a Short time in Service, I have not transmitted the Same; but should it hereafter be necessary to muster and pay them in the Same manner, I will furnish the paymaster with the necessary information for the purpose.
I have furnished your Excellency with the form of the regimental pay roll, mentioned in the aforesaid instructions -- at present it can be of no use -- but if the Situation of the frontiers should hereafter require a greater number of militia for their protection than are now contemplated it may be of Service.


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Another principal part of my duty as it is connected with the militia, is to investigate the returns made to the contractors for provisions and Supplies, and to ascertain that they are conformable to the musters.
Your letter to Major Habersham upon this Subject Shews [Shows], that your Excellency has for a long time been sensible of the necessity of adopting some mode, by which there might be a check upon this department.
If I were to be always present with the troops, I could certify the returns; but this is impracticable from their Situation on the frontiers; and as I must necessarily be most of the time at Fort Fidius; I have therefore to request that your Excellency would be pleased to direct that the commanding officer of the militia, who may be in Service should certify the returns, or such other persons you should think proper -- Subject however to the investigation contemplated in the instructions of the Secretary of War.
From the extracts which I now have the honor to Submit to your Excellency, it will appear, that the object of the Secretary of War in appointing me an agent for his department in this State, is to introduce regularity and economy among the regular troops and militia who are


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employed for the defance [defense] of the frontiers -- In these views I am confident I shall meet with every assistance from your Excellency while I shall by all the means in my power do everything to promote the good of the Service.

I have the honor to be with the highest respect,
Your Excellency's most obedient humble Servant,
[Signed] Constant Freeman. His Excellency The Governor of Georgia.





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Letter
Constant Freeman

September 1793
Military