[Extract of a Letter from the Secretary at War to Brigadier General Harman, dated 14^th November 1787] War Office 14^th Novem^r 1787 My last Letter to you was dated on the 26^th ultimo, and enclosed a duplicate of mine to you of the 16^th and also a copy of a Resolve of Congress of the 13^th of the same month directing you to apprehend John Sullivan styling himself late Captain 4^th Regiment of light Dragoons should he come within the federal territory. 3 I also now enclose a copy of a Letter said to be written by John Sullivan to Major William Brown dated Charlestown 24^th September 1787. How far it may be practicable to execute the threats therein contained respecting New Orleans it is difficult, or rather impossible to judge at this distance and with the slender information I possess on the subject. [underline: It has been reported generally that the Inhabitants west of the Allegany Mountains have been highly irritated by the circulation of the idea that Congress were about to relinquish the navigation of the Mississippi for a number of years. Other reports also have been received that the Inhabitants of Cumberland have talked in a vague manner of the practicability of seizing the Natches and New Orleans and some unauthenticated publications have stated that there have been consultations on the subject by the Inhabitants of Kentucky and Cumberland during the Summer past. But nothing has been received that had the appearance of reducing these indistinct accounts to a probability or of any System being formed to carry them into execution until Mr Sullivan's Letter was received. Indeed his Letter can be regarded only as an indication of his disposition and not as evidence of any fixed design on the Subject. Such an enterprize would be in defiance of the laws of Nations, disgraceful and perhaps ruinous to the country by whose Citizens it should be attempted. Although I cannot persuade myself that there can be any just foundation to apprehend that such a design is seriously entertained excepting by an insignificant Banditti, yet circumstanced as the reports are, it becomes necessary that such precautions be taken on the part of the United States as the nature of the case may require, and their means admit. You will therefore on receiving this Letter endeavour to ascertain. 1^st Whether there is any plan formed or forming of the nature mentioned in Mr Sullivan's Letter. 2^d If so, the numbers of the party and the names and characters of the most influential persons who are concerned in or abet the design. 3^d When the design is intended to be executed and by what mode or route, and what means they can obtain for the purpose. 4^th How they are armed, accoutred and supplied with ammunition, and whether they have Cannon and the necessary apparatus. 5^th Endeavour particularly to discover whether any British Agents or means are employed on this occasion. In order to obtain a satisfactory result to your enquiries it may be necessary to send an Officer or Two or other confidential persons to Franklin and Kentucky under the idea of exploring the country, or you may adopt any other mode you may think proper. Should such a design actually exist, I suppose from an examination of the maps, that the easiest mode of executing it would be by water. To prepare the boats and stores on the Cumberland river, and thence proceed into the Ohio and down the Mississippi. Were they to proceed from the best of the Tenessee across by land, they would encounter difficulties from the nature of the Country (if my information be just) as well as from the powerful Tribes of the Choctaws and Chickesaws. Being desirous to have the tract of Country at the mouth of the Ohio surveyed agreeably to the resolve of Congress enclosed. The Officers and soldiers of the late Army being exceedingly anxious to receive the lands to which they are entitled. In order that the Surveyors be completely protected in the execution of this business it will be necessary that you should station an adequate body of troops in that vicinity. On this occasion you may think proper to post the greater part of the troops employed in this service, at the place where Fort Massac stood below the junction of the Tenessee with the Ohio, or some other convenient spot not above the mouth of the Tenessee. In case you should receive such information on the Subject as to remove all doubt that the design to which Mr Sullivan alludes is on the point of execution, you will form your post below the Tennessee of such Strength if in your power as will be able by force to prevent the passage of the party down the Ohio. Previously to exerting actual force you will represent on behalf of the United States to the persons conducting the enterprize the criminality of their conduct and the obligations of the sovereign authority to prevent at every hazard such audacious proceedings. Should however persuasions or other mild methods be ineffectual, you will then have recourse to the means in your power to prevent their proceeding in the execution of their designs. I am well aware that I am placing you in a delicate predicament. But there are points of duty which must be accomplished without regarding the consequences. I conceive my duty and my respect to the justice and dignity of the United States oblige me to give you these orders, which will be your justification. I am persuaded you will conceive it to be your duty to execute them as far as may be practicable. But should you find by your enquiries that the design is still in embryo, and that the period of its accomplishment is at a distance, you will transmit me a full account of every circumstance relative to the Subject in order to be submitted to Congress. It is unfortunate that Congress are not now in session. as soon as they assemble, I shall submit a copy of this Letter to them together with any other papers which may be received relative to the subject.] N.B. Those parts of the aforegoing paper which are scored are judged improper to be communicated to Mr. Pardoqui.