INSTRUCTIONS Superintendants of Indian Affairs for the ___ Department. S I R, The United States in Congress assembled having been pleased to appoint you to the important office of Superintendant of Indian affairs for the ___ you will use every means which the high confidence can inspire, to exert yourself to fulfil their just expectations. You will take care that the regulation of Indian affairs, publick the ___ rules, and such other regulations as they may hereafter think proper to establish, are to be the governing principles of your conduct, and you are to obtain as exact observance thereof on your part. Many important considerations render it necessary that you pursue a system of moderation with the Indians, and you are to be animated and governed principally by the justice and dignity of the United States. You will exert yourself to ascertain, and to report the causes which tend to occasion the Indians to complain of the encroachments on the frontiers, and to prevent the same. In this business it will be your duty to check, as much as possible the progress of the settlers on the frontiers, if any, which are within the power of the union, Short of actual hostilities. The United States are [undecipherable] in their determination to give just and equal laws which shall be operative upon all who act or coexist with the Indians. They will repay every temporary inconvenience of the frontier citizens and their important interests. But whilst they prove this determination by their conduct, they will not fail in preventing intrusions on the Indian territory. Justice forbids the United States from being guilty of aggression, but at the same time it dictates decided means of defense when aggression is threatened. Let the Indians know that their old complaints shall be listened to with attention, and the causes removed [undecipherable] that removal shall be procured. Being impressed with the main objects of the public, you will conform all your transactions, and dealings by conciliating the interest of the several tribes of Indians, with an increase in the friendship of the United States. It is the object of Congress to obtain full information of all the Indian tribes within the limits of the United States, and to make known to the whole country [undecipherable] thereon. You will therefore endeavour to ascertain their numbers and characters, and as far as possible the characters of the chiefs of each tribe, their particular influence, and the districts which they usually inhabit and their hunting grounds. The quantity and quality of furs taken annually, the usual price and markets at which they are sold, and the kind of goods most likely to [undecipherable]. All the trade with the Indians should be regulated by all. You will commence with the Indians [undecipherable] be as favorable [undecipherable]. You will prevent all persons from trading with the Indians, without a license from you, or your deputies, it will be necessary that you [undecipherable] obtain general instructions from time to time, from the board of commissioners of Indian Affairs. A considerable degree of the fairness of their transactions. Any complaints of the Indian Agents shall be reported to this office, investigated, and settled by me. You will report the number of traders whom you annually licencify the stores they are from, and the goods in which they are to trade. Humanity and policy will dictate that you endeavor to obtain perfect peace of [undecipherable] such of the United States who have been generally [undecipherable] by the Indians. You will as often as circumstances will allow, hold conferences with the chiefs of the several nations under your district, and make them occasional presents of such articles as may be in your possession for that purpose from the public supplies. But should any deficiency be discovered, you are to report the same. The distinguished men of the United States will not admit of their entering into a competition with the traders in articles of dealing in this respect. But presents may always be in proportion to the importance of the characters and the public esteem. It may be that the commanding officer may wish to repair to Congress in this case, and you should be of opinion that the national interest required it, you will report accordingly, and will not admit the commanding officer without your papers and credentials. But as this business will be considerably expedient, it will be necessary for [undecipherable] and credentials. You will hold general and particular treaties from time to time, agreeably to the orders of Congress, or when in your opinion they will be necessary. You will also appoint deputies to do transactions which, in your opinion, shall be necessary to promote the public concerns, reporting always to this office the departure of officers and officials such treaties to you. You will employ, occasionally, such interpreters, [undecipherable] and [undecipherable] as may be thought necessary and expedient, and shall always pay a due attention and report the same to this office and the board of treasury. The commanding officer of the troops in the United States on the frontiers, will have orders to co-operate [undecipherable] on the public property, by such assistance as in his opinion may be deemed necessary, and the public property in your charge, and rendering such assistance in his opinion may be necessary for your defense, if in case the same. It may be proper for you to encourage from [undecipherable] white men from families to settle among the Indians, and your general exertion to [undecipherable] cause the youth to schools in different places, to learn the language and customs of the United States. A faithful and full consideration of all your observations and recollections to this office, for the better administration of the affairs within your district, will be required by a public duty. It has been thought proper to give you these indications for your general government, the particular instructions may be proper in your own office. This is a matter entirely of your own ability and judgment. The Indians confided to your management is highly important, and requires your most diligent attention to secure success as of this [undecipherable] with my particular views of the Indians. You will undoubtedly reflect, and report to me in such cases and in such a manner as to suit the occasion and the purpose. Given at the War Office of the United States this ___ day of ___ you will not suffer any Indian chief, or their [undecipherable] to come to Congress [undecipherable] the [undecipherable] is particularly [undecipherable] you will [undecipherable] the Nations [undecipherable] to come in such case [undecipherable] your own [undecipherable] and [undecipherable] + you will report to this office for the information of Congress when in your opinion general or particular treaties may be usefull, Specifying the objects time, place, & hoped for effect — You will also hold occasional Councils Conferences, when you Judge [it] necessary to promote the public interest [Endorsement:] Feb^y 13 1791 Referred to M^r [undecipherable] M^r Johnston M^r Chambers M^r [undecipherable] M^r [undecipherable] with Letter of 25^th [undecipherable] January last