[Danville July 7^th 1790 Judge James to the Secretary of War —] I have been intimately acquainted with this District from November 1783 — I can with truth Say that in the period of time the Indians have always been the aggressors, that any incursions made into their Country have been from retaliation of injuries committed by them — That the depredatory mode of war and plundering carried on by them renders it difficult and almost impossible to discriminate what tribes are the offenders — that Since my first arrival in this District which was the time above named, I am convinced to Say that above 1500 Souls have been killed & taken in the District and migrating to it — that upwards of 20000 Horses have been taken and carried off — and other property such as money merchandize, Household Goods — and wearing Apparel hath been carried off and destroyed by these Barbarians to at least £15000 — Repeated informations have been given of these injuries which continues to be daily perpetrated, and yet we have no satisfying account of the intentions of Government for our relief — the consequences to the District and of a Serious & important nature — by these do we further [undecipherable] possession of our Country threatened by the murders committed on the emigrants and actual Settlers, and by them do we find people intimidated from migrating to our Country which lessens our rising Strength, by them are the wealth of our [undecipherable] citizens diminished and themselves of our lands divorced. What will be the result? Voluntary expeditions will be carried on into the Indian Countries to repay the principle of savages protection and self preservation and Government will not be able to counteract them — the consequence will be, that the Volunteers who may thus act, nobody will not discriminate between the Indians who are hostile and those who have treated — they will consider all as enemies that come in their way — and this supposed amicable Indians will find long abortioning faith in government — it will not only prevent the intended annex of Government, but undo what hath been done. I will Sir, be candid on this Subject, not only as an Inhabitant of Kentucky but as a friend to Society who wishes to see order and regularity preserved in the Government — in [undecipherable] which I Place — The People say they have long [undecipherable] under their misfortunes they have no prospect of relief — they are [undecipherable] [55] strength and wealth of the Western Country — all avenues to which have been attempted are stopped [and?] are [undecipherable] in the hands of Strangers who have no interest among them — they are the general Sufferers and yet have no voice in the business — they are accused as the Aggressors and have no Exculpation to justify — These are the general Sentiments of the People and they begin to want faith in the Government and appears determined to revenge themselves, for this purpose a meeting was lately held in this place by a number of respectable characters to determine the propriety of carrying on three Expeditions this fall, from a more general representation of the District, the business was postponed until the meeting of our Convention which is about the 26 instant, at which time there will be a very general meeting of influential Characters of the District, and unless Some information is received before that time that will be satisfactory. I fully expect one or more expeditions will be determined on — [signed] [2] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] Impressed with the Idea that the foregoing Observations will not be unacceptable to you as an officer of Government through whose department it may be properly communicated to the President, [undecipherable] your attention, I shall make no apology for the length of my Letter —