[Copy of a letter from Lieutenant Colonel Josiah Harman dated Camp on the Kentucke shore just below the Rapids, July 4, 1787] Sir I had the honor of addressing you on the 19^th March, on the 10^th April, on the 14^th May, and on the 7^th and 15^th alt^o. which I hope have been received. A duplicate of my last was forwarded by the way of Danville through the Wilderness to Richmond which must be the conveyance in future for my letters — As the people are as intimidated by a boat bound for Pittsburg being fired upon by a party of Indians near the Great Magnis that they will not for some time venture up the river. I had given some of my letters in charge to the owner of this boat, but they were returned to me at the Rapids. Since my last I have obtained more full information of the Country and have thought it most advisable, as it will save a vast expence to the public to make my operations chiefly by water— I have had all my keel boats repaired and put in tolerable order and have run the public to no further expence than about ten dollars for my Kentucke boats— Last night I detached Captain Zeigler with 66 men in eight Kentucke boats, two large keel boats one small keel boat and two Canoes laden with flour, Cattle, Whiskey &c. (being three months provisions for three hundred men) with orders to halt at what is called the Landing and Carrying place a few miles on this side of green river called in Hutchins map Buffalo river — Tomorrow morning early I shall move with the troops and the remainder of the fleet and shall overtake Captain Zeigler. I propose to march by land from this Carrying place to Post Vincennes the distance I am well informed is no more than fifty miles. The Cattle and eighteen horses will be drove along.— The flour Baggage &c. will be under a strong guard round the Outback river which at this season of the year will be attended with considerable difficulty.— I have sent intelligence to Colonel Le Pragneau Major Beaveron the principal inhabitants at the Post to inform them of this movement.— Be pleased to receive the enclosed copy of my letter to these gentlemen. Captain Ferguson did not arrive until the evening of the 3^d instant in the old Contractors boats laden with provisions. I place no dependance on supplies from them; neither did I know of any further engagement of them to supply the troops but immediately upon my arrival at the Rapids in order to expedite the movement gave orders to Mr. Bradshaw the issuing Commissary here to exert himself and furnish the necessary provisions. Having considerable credit in the Kentucke Country he exerted himself and furnished the provisions accordingly.— He has drawn Bills on the Contractors for the flour which he purchased. I sincerely hope these Bills may be duly honored, for if his credit fails my resources will be materially injured.— Had this arrangement not been made my operations might probably have been retarded until the month of September— The old Contractors were bound to deliver the provisions by the first of this month so as not to clash with the new Contract.— As it did not arrive until the 3^d instant I have refused to receipt for it to Mr. Britt and will have nothing to do with it. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 7^th of May & Major Doughty with the pleasing intelligence of 500 dollars having arrived, being one months pay for the troops and three months Subsistence for the Officers.— I have also received your letter of the 17^th May, with the sum of 1000. dollars Contingent money (Captain Bradford's expences and the discount to be deducted) which shall be administered in the most oeconomical manner. Agreeably to your orders I have received for the full sum of 1000 dollars and now make said receipt in duplicate of the same shall be forwarded to the War Officer Reins one to Major Doughty. I have undertaken to enlist for one year four men, with a promise of the same pay rations &c. as a regular soldier receives. These men will be extremely useful the one is a Canadian interpreter who understands the different dialects of the Outback Indians, to this man I have promised something extra.— The other three are good woodsmen and will serve as expresses to carry dispatches to and from the Post to the Rapids. Two of them are also and acquainted with the navigation of the Outback river. I trust this will meet with your approbation as it is done upon an oeconomical principle and will certainly be a saving to the public. Captain Ferguson informs me that he took on board Regain the fellow who murdered an Indian with a design to remove him from McIntosh to Muskingum— but being in irons he started in his sleep and fell overboard and was drowned below Wheeling.— It would have been better to have him executed in presence of the Indians. I am informed there are a number of British traders on the Outback above Post Vincennes. I hope to have the honor of addressing my next letter to you from that Post, when I shall immediately proceed to expel the usurpers of the public lands and likewise reconnoitre those British traders who are the real cause I believe of all the Indian disturbances. I have the honor to make you a monthly return of the regiment, dated the 1^st instant. I shall deliver out any few of the Commissioners goods and have not unless there should be an absolute necessity for it until I receive your sanction for so doing. Eight of the Chickasaw Nation have been with me for this week past. Their business is to have a trade with the Americans. These & the Chickasaws have been treated with and are very friendly to the United States. I have given them eight Anch coats and a few trifles and shall take them down with me tomorrow as far as an go by water and then dismiss them with a Speech and some small presents to the Pianings, the Mountain Chief and the Choctaw Chief. I have left an Officer with a command of 25 sick and invalids, to garrison the Post at the Rapids of the Ohio.— The chief duty of this Officer is to forward any dispatches which may arrive from the War Office to me immediately at Post Vincennes by land. Be pleased to order your letters directed to his charge.