[Copy of a letter to Gen^l Knox May 22. 1790 Indian Affairs] [May 22, 1790] Sir In pursuance of sundry resolutions of the late Congress relative to indian affairs, the three Southern States were called on to appoint Comm^rs and advance a sum not exceeding ten thousand dollars for the purpose of treating with the Creeks and Cherokees. M^r Birdman appointed one and advanced $333, or 8 [undecipherable] currency to be appropriated under the directions of the Comm^rs jointly. £1048, of this money was applied by order of the Comm^rs to the purchase of goods under my direction for the Cherokee treaty; a farther sum was applied to defray certain expenses on transporting these goods to the Hopewell on French Broad River, where we had notified [undecipherable: personally] the indians to attend. They did not punctually attend on the 28^th May 1789; the Comm^rs were likewise from prudence in holding, within the limits of a State actually not then in Union, in which many difficulties intervened; but finally it was resolved after having examined the invoices and Goods purchased, that the Store keepers should [strikethrough: store] them, that is except so much as would be necessary to defray certain expenses, to the house of William Davidson Esq^r on Savannah, there to be stored on behalf of the United States, untill further Order should be had thereon. — Gen^l Knox the Sec^y was at the time not in Office, but Gen^l Pickens the Order cannot I presume reported this transaction to the Board or yourself. I think it however my duty to remind you that these goods are chiefly woolen, that they have already lain one Summer, and if not disposed of shortly, must be totally or irretrievably ruined. I shall return to the [undecipherable: Nothard] as soon as Congress adjourns, and will personally assist in making any disposition [strikethrough: for the goods] arrangement in this behalf which you may think proper to direct. I am Sir With great esteem Your Mo. Ob^t To Gen^l Knox May 22^d 1790