[Copy of Instructions to the Governor of the Western Territory, or in his absence to Brigadier Gen^l Harmar] [dated 3 March 5] [Copied 15. April. 1790.] War Office March 3^d 1790 Sir In pursuance of powers vested in the President of the United States by the Act of Congress passed the 29^th day of September 1789, he authorized you by his instructions dated the 6^th of Oct^r in following in certain cases, and in the proportions therein specified to call forth the Militia of Virginia and Pennsylvania for the protection of the frontiers against the depredations of the Indians. Since transmitting you the aforesaid instructions he has received several applications for protection from the Inhabitants of the frontier Counties of Virginia lying along the south of the Ohio — These applications are founded on the depredations of small parties of Indians during the last year, who it seems have murdered many of the unguarded inhabitants, stolen their horses, and burned their houses. Until the last year an arrangement of the following nature existed at the expence of Virginia — The lieutenants of the exposed Counties under certain restrictions were permitted to call forth a number of active men as spahees or scouts as they are generally termed, and parties of rangers — But the Government of that State thought proper to discontinue this arrangement on the organization of the General Government, to which the inhabitants of the said Counties now apply for protection. All applications of this nature have been placed before the Congress for their information, and in order that they may adopt such measures as the case may require — But as the season is fast approaching in which the inhabitants are apprehensive of a repetition of the injuries suffered the last year, they seem to be of an opinion that their situation requires some conditional security previously to the measures which may result from the deliberations of Congress. The President of the United States has therefore so far conformed to their apprehensions on this point as to refer the case to you, or in your absence to Brigadier General Harmar, and to give you the authority herein described. 1^st That if from good and sufficient information it should be your judgement, or in your absence the judgement of the Commanding Officer aforesaid, that any of the frontier Counties of Virginia lying along the South of the Ohio, are under existing circumstances threatened immediately with incursive parties of Indians, that you or the said said Commanding Officer under your hands and seals empower the lieutenants of such exposed Counties to call forth a particular number of scouts, in proportion to the danger of the said Counties, not however exceeding for any one County the number of eight men — The said Scouts to be continued in service no longer than the danger shall exist, according to the judgments of the County lieutenants. 2^dly That when the said service shall be performed, the following evidence thereof shall be required. Firstly — A return of the names, ages and residence, of the said scouts. Secondly. An abstract of the pay of the said Scouts specifying the exact days in which they were so employed — The pay to be regulated by the lowest price in the respective Counties