War office 13^th April 1790 Sir By some recent information from the Ohio it appears that the Indians still continue their depredations on the frontiers. A general arrangement relative to the frontiers has been contemplated but not having been finally concluded upon by Congress, and the season of activity approaching the President of the United States was induced from the particular situation of the Counties lying along the Ohio to direct on the 3^d of last march that the governor of the western Territory or in his absence Brigadier general Harmar should be invested with a Conditional authority of which the enclosed is a Copy. These orders were transmitted by Colonel Duval, lieutenant of Harrison County who proved most noted by as he was much interested in the business, convey expeditiously the same to the Commanding Officer. But as it is I presume, notwithstanding that some delays may have taken place, and as the President of the United States is exceedingly desirous that the inhabitants of the frontier Counties should experience the benefits of the provision contained in the said orders to the Commanding Officer, he has directed me to make this communication to you. And he has further directed me to em- power you that in case the Counties of Kentucky should not have already availed themselves of said provision, and should in your judgement stand in need thereof, that you should under your hand and seal authorize the lieutenants of such Counties to call forth the scouts, precisely as to the number and under the regulations directed in the instructions to the governor of the western Territory or in his absence the Commanding officers of the troops. The information of the wages paid to the scouts was given by Colonel Duval. It exceeds greatly all calculation of pay to be given persons for performing military service and were it carried to a considerable extent, no government on earth could support it. But as this measure is regarded merely as a temporary expedient until further measures are taken, the President of the United States consents to the usual prices being given which hitherto have been given by Virginia for the same services. At the same time he reposes entire Confidence in your Character, that you will (if arrangements should not have been made previously by the Commanding Officer) guard in this respect the interests of the United States. It is the opinion of some gentlemen well acquainted with Kentucky that four scouts or men to each County would be satisfactory. If this should also be your judgement you will limit the arrangement to that number, or at least to the usual number heretofore employed. But as the information was different from that whereon the instructions to the governor & Commanding officer of the 3^d of March was founded, it has been concluded best to make no alteration in that discretionary arrangement. I am Sir Your &c [signed] H Knox. Harry Innes Esq Kentucky. [Indorsed "Copy of a letter written by the Secretary of War to Harry Innes Esquire District Judge of Kentucky respecting the Scouts to be employed in that Country — dated 13^th April 1790"] The letter is written in an engrossing Clerks hand. — J. Q.