[Copy of a letter from Brigadier General Harmar dated Fort Harmar, at the mouth of the Muskingum.] November 24, 1787. Sir, I had the Honor of addressing you last from Camp at Post Vincennes on the 1^st August. The original was forwarded from Louisville, through the Wilderness and a duplicate forwarded from the Rapids of the Ohio up the river to Pittsburg. I hope they have safe arrived. In my last letter after having published in french and English the resolve of Congress respecting the settlers upon the public lands at Post Vincennes, to-gether with my orders relative thereto, and after having sent messages to the several Indian Chiefs on the Wabash to assemble at the Post, and been asked what I had to say to them as there was no probability of these Chiefs coming in, in less than a month I informed you that it was my intention to employ that time in visiting Kaskaskias, in order that I might be enabled to render a statement of affairs in that part of the United States. Accordingly I marched on the 19^th of [August] from the Post with a Platoon (Ensign H^d Darnell) and thirty men through the Prairies and arrived at Kaskaskias on the 16^th of the same month. Our March was very fatiguing, as the weather was excessive warm and water very bad and scarce, on our route. The distance is about 166 miles, the French call it 86 Leagues.— I was accompanied by two Indians, (Pashau a Miami Chief and his Comrade) who hunted and supplied the party with meat, (Buffalo and Deer) both on the march and upon our return. The Prairies are very extensive natural meadows, covered with long grasses. One in particular which at once was Eight Leagues in breadth. They run in general from north to south, and like the Ocean, as far as the eye can see, the view is terminated by the Horizon. Here and there a copse of woods is interspersed. They are free from brush and underwood and not the least vestige of their having been cultivated. The country is excellent for grazing and abounds in Buffalo, Deer, Bear &c. It is a matter of Speculation to account for the formation of the Prairies. The eastern side of the Wabash is overflown in the Spring for several miles. On the 17^th I was visited by the Magistrates and principal cohabitants of Kaskaskias, welcoming us upon our arrival. Baptiste De Coigne the Chief of the Kaskias Indians paid me a visit in the afternoon and delivered me a much Profession of greatest friendship for the U. States. and presented me with one of the Calumets or Pipes of Peace, which is now sent on. Some of the Pioria Indians likewise visited me. The Kaskaskias, Piorias, Cohokias, and Mitchis tribes compose the Illinois Indians. They are almost extinct at present, not exceeding forty or fifty totol. Kaskaskias is a handsome little village situated on the river of the same name which empties into the river Mississippi at two Leagues distance from it. It is 105 miles up the Mississippi, from the mouth of the Ohio. The situation is low and unhealthy and subject to inundation. The inhabitants are French, and much of the same class, as at Post Vincennes. Their number 191 old and young men. Having but overlittle time to spare I left Ensign H^d Darnell with the Party at Kaskaskias, and on the 18^th set out accompanied by her [undecipherable] and the Gentlemen of the village for Cohokia. We passed Prairie du Rochen a small village 3 leagues distance from Kaskaskias, where we lodged for the night. On the 19^th we passed through St. Phillips, a trifling village 3 leagues distance from Prairie du Rochen and dined at La Belle Fontaine, six leagues farther. La Belle Fontaine is a small stockade inhabited altogether by Americans who have settled themselves there without authority. It is a beautiful situation, fine fertile lands, no taxation and the inhabitants have abundance to live upon. They were exceedingly alarmed when I informed them of their precarious State respecting a title to their possessions, & have sent on a Petition to Congress by Mr. Tardiveau. On the same day we passed another small stockade Grand Ruisseau inhabited by the same sort of Americans (as those at La Belle Fontaine) and arrived at Cohokia that evening. Cohokia is a Village nearly of the same size as that of Kaskaskias, and the inhabitants by the same kind of people. Their number 239 old men and young. I was received with the greatest Hospitality by the inhabitants. There was a decent submission and respect in their behaviour. Cohokia is distant from Kaskaskias, 22 French Leagues which is about 50 miles. On the 21^st in consequence of an invitation from Monsieur Cruzat the Spanish Commandant at St. Louis we crossed the Mississippi and were very politely entertained by him. After dinner we returned to Cohokia. St. Louis (nick-named Paincourt) is much the handsomest and genteelest village I have seen on the Mississippi. It is about 4 miles distant from Cohokia, and five Leagues above it the river Missouri unites with the Mississippi. The inhabitants are of the same sort as before described, excepting that they are more wealthy. About 20 regular Spanish troops are stationed here. On the 22^nd I left Cohokia to return to Kaskaskias. Previous to my departure, at the request of the inhabitants I assembled them and gave them advice to place their Militia upon a more respectable footing, than it was, to obey to the decision of their Courts &c, and if there were any turbulent or refractory persons to put them under guard, until Congress should be pleased to order a Government for them. Exclusive of the intruders already described, there are about thirty more Americans settled on the rich fertile bottoms on the Mississippi, who are likewise petitioned by this conveyance. On the 23^d I passed by the ruins of Fort Chartres, which is one league above the Prairie du Rochen and situated on the Mississippi. It was built of Stone and must have been a considerable Fortification formerly, but the part next to the river has been carried away by the floods, and is of no consequence at present. I staid about a quarter of an hour, but had no time to view it minutely as it was all a thicket within. Several iron pieces of Cannon are here at present, and also at the different villages. This evening I returned to Kaskaskias. On the 24^th Monsieur Senes the Spanish Commandant at St. Previeur sent me an invitation to pay him a visit. We crossed the Mississippi accordingly, were politely entertained and after dinner returned to Kaskaskias. St. Previeur (nicknamed Moiseru) is a village much inferior in every respect, to St. Louis. It is about 4 miles (including the passage of the Mississippi) distance from Kaskaskias. about 8 or 10 Spanish troops are stationed here. On the 26^th at the request of the inhabitants (which is enclosed) I assembled them and gave them advice to regulate their Militia and obey their Magistrates &c. until Congress should be pleased to order a Government for them. I have to remark, that all these people are entirely unacquainted with what Americans call Liberty, Trial by Jury &c, they are strangers to. A Commandant and a few troops to give them orders is the best form of Government for them, it is what they have been accustomed to. On the 29^th I left Kaskaskias after having received every mark of respect and attention from the inhabitants in order to set out for the Post. We marched by a lower route several of the French, and the Kaskaskias Chief and his tribe (about 60 in number) accompanied us. And we arrived safe at Post Vincennes in the afternoon of the 3^d of September. I make the distance by the lower route to be about 170 miles. On the 5^th the Piankeshaw and Weea Indians arrived at the Post from of the Wabash to the number of 120. Every precaution was taken, we had a fortified Camp, two redoubts were thrown up, on our right and left, and the guard extended. The troops were all new clothed and made a truly military appearance. The Indians saluted us by firing several vollies on the Wabash opposite our Camp. Their Salute was returned by a party of ours firing several platoons. I was determined to impress upon them as much as possible the majesty of the United States, and at the same time they were informed that it was the wish of Congress to live in peace and friendship with them. Likewise to let them know that if they persisted in being Hostile, that a body of troops would march to their towns and sweep them off the face of the Earth. On the 7^th I invited them to Camp, and made the enclosed speech to them. The Indians admired the troops I believe they had never seen such a sight before. On the 8^th they answered my speech and in strong figurative language, expressing their determination to preserve peace and friendship with the United States as long as the waters flowed &c. They utterly disavowed any knowledge of the murder that had been committed and assured me that enquiry should be made for the prisoners. They presented me with a number of Calumets and Wampum, which I now have the honor of transmitting, enclosed in a rich otter skin, they will be delivered by Mr. Dubre. My Dubre has acted as a Volunteer for a considerable time in the Regiment, and has conducted himself with Propriety. If a vacancy should happen in the Connecticut quota I beg leave to recommend him your notice. On the 9^th the young Warriors were drinking whiskey and dancing before our tents all the morning to demonstrate their joy. On the 10^th I made them several presents from the Commissioners Goods to no great amount. On the 12^th the Chief part of them left the Post for their different Villages, on the Wabash, they returned highly satisfied with the treatment they received. Indeed it was a sober hour of fatigue for me, I found it politic to pay the greatest attention to them. They are amazing fond of whiskey and destroyed a considerable quantity of it. I must you will find this conference with the Indians attended with very little expense, I question whether the whole Whiskey, Provisions, and Presents, will cost the public more than 150 dollars. Their interpreter is a half French man and married to a Weea squaw, he has very great influence among them. I judged it necessary to pay extra ordinary attention to him. I have the honor to communicate the receipt of several letters from you, which I shall fully answer by the next conveyance. Particularly one of the 2^d of August, enclosing me a Brevet Commission of Brigadier General. After finishing the conference with the Indians and obtaining the enclosed petitions of the inhabitants at Post Vincennes to Congress relinquishing their charter and trusting to the generosity of that Honorable body I judged it expedient to leave a garrison at that Post, as it would have been impolitic, after the parade we had made, to entirely abandon the Country. Accordingly Major Hamtramck commands there. His command consists of Captain Smiths Company 55 and part of Fergusons Company 40 total 95. I have ordered him to fortify himself and to regulate the Militia who are to join him in case of Hostilities. You are pleased to ask my opinion of the price of the ration at the Post. I conceive that the Contractors could afford it for the same price here, as at the falls, provided the troops bring it on, otherwise they cannot, as the expense of transportation Hireing of hands &c is considerable. It was an uncommon sickly season at the Post. In the month of September I had no less than 196 sick present. Having arranged all matters to my satisfaction, as we had a long and tiresome voyage before as I began to think of Winter Quarters. Accordingly on the 1^st of October I marched by land with the well men of Captain Zeigler and Strongs Companies (total 91) for the Rapids of the Ohio. I gave orders to Major Wyllys to command the fleet and to embark for the Rapids the next morning, with the late Captain Finneys and Nevans Companies and the sick of the other Companies, and a brace three pounder. I omitted mentioning of my taking into our possession some Ordnance and Ammunition (public Property) at Louisville and at the Post. At the former we got a brace six pounders and several swivels, (at the latter from Mr. Dotton two brass three pounders). I thought it best that the public property should be under our own charge. We marched along what is called Clarks Trace and arrived on the 1^st October at the Rapids of the Ohio. I was mistaken in a former letter concerning the distance, it is about 130 miles. We saw no Indians nor Signs of Indians. From the Falls to the Post the country is in general hilly, and good wheat land. Major Wyllys and the Fleet arrived at Clarksville on the 21^st. On the 23^d and 24^th the men were all employed in dragging the Boats over the Falls, a very difficult fatiguing tour of duty the more so as the water was remarkably low. On the 28^th I left the falls in the Barge for Muskingum with orders for Captain Zeigler and Strongs and their companies to follow me the next day. On the 13^th November we arrived at this Post. Captain Zeigler arrived here with the fleet on the 21^st. We are favored with remarkable fine weather ever since we set out from the Post. The following are among my arrangements for Winter Quarters: At Venango. .............. Capt. Hearts. Company. At Mc Intosh — Part of Capt. Ferguson's Company At Muskingum ——————— Capt. Zeigler Capt. Strongs Capt. Mc[undecipherable] Capt. Bradford's } Companies At the Rapids of the Ohio — the late Capt. Finney's Capt. Mercer's } Companies At Post Vincennes —— Capt. Smith's part of Capt. Ferguson's } Companies Such a large proportion of the Regiment being quartered at Muskingum during the winter will save the public considerable expense, with respect to Provisions. The water being so exceedingly low detained [strikethrough: detained] Capt. Beatty a long time at Fort Pitt. He did not arrive at his garrison until the 26^th instant at night. We are all happy to find that he has obtained such a just and honorable settlement for the Regiment, and are much indebted to you for having been pleased to lend him every assistance in the business. The Bearer Mr. Bartholomew Tardiveau, I believe you will find to be a sensible well informed Gentleman, as well, if not better acquainted with the western Country (Particularly the Illinois) than any one who has been from thence to Congress. I beg leave to refer you to him for a minute and particular description of it. There has been some impostors before Congress, particularly one Parker a whining canting Methodist as kind of [underline: would be] Governor. He is extremely unpopular at Kaskaskias, and despised by the inhabitants. I am happy to hear of General St. Clair's appointment as Governor of the Western Territory, as it will add to the dignity and consequence of Congress. Be pleased to receive the enclosed monthly Returns of the Regiment dated the 1^st of Sept., 1^st Oct. & 1^st of Nov. You are pleased to ask me intelligence respecting the Military lands from Fort Massac to the mouth of the Ohio, and from thence about twenty (20) miles up the Mississippi. The Country overflows, and is by no means habitable. I shall have the honor of writing to you again in a short time. I have the honor to be &c. Jos. Harmar The Hon^b. Major General Knox Secretary at War.