[Letter from the Secretary of War to the Governor of Virginia] War Office, 18^th July, 1790. Sir I had the honor on the 1st of April last to transmit to your excellency, copies of certain letters to the governor of the western territory, or in his absence to brigadier general Harmar, and to Judge Innes, in order to exhibit the species of protection which he had been authorized on the part of the United States for the protection of such of the frontier counties, as should be exposed to the incursions of small parties of indians. Since then repeated information has been received of depredations committed on the Ohio, and in the counties lying along the same. From a variety of circumstances it appears highly probable, that the Shawanese, and outcast Cherokees, and others joined with them have been the perpetrators of the said depredations. Those indians seem to form an incorrigible banditti whose outrages cannot be prevented while they are suffered to inhabit the country lying between the Lakes and the Ohio. Their whole numbers probably do not exceed two hundred fighting men. The President of the United States upon mature consideration has therefore thought proper to give the governor of the western territory and commanding officer conditional orders to extirpate the said banditti, provided the same could be effected, without interfering with the general objects of peace with the regular tribes lying upon the Wabash and its vicinity. It is proposed that the expedition should be performed under the immediate orders of general Harmar, with about one hundred continental troops and three hundred militia of the neighbouring counties of Kentucky who should be engaged for thirty days from the time of their arrival at the place of rendezvous — It is further proposed, that both the regular troops & the militia should be mounted on horseback, if the nature of the country should permit that mode of operation. The orders on this subject are to be considered as in force until the object shall be effected. As it is to be expected that the result of the said orders will be productive of security and tranquility to the frontiers; and as the expence of the scouts is considered as too great to be longer supported, and as the rangers directed may effectually answer the same purpose, the President has thought proper to direct, that the scouts in future be discontinued. I have the honor to enclose your Excellency the copy of a letter to the county lieutenants of Washington in Pennsylvania, Harrison, Randolph, Ohio, Monongahalia, and Kenhawa, in Virginia, and also to the lieutenants of the counties of Mason, Bourbon, Woodford, Madison, Lincoln, Mercer, Nelson, & Jefferson in Kentucky, on this subject; and if you should be of opinion that the same protection ought to be extended to the counties of Washington, Russell and Wythe you will please to have the goodness to direct the lieutenants of the said counties, conformably to the general order pointed out in the regulations on the subject. In which case the lieutenants of said counties instead of having the service certified by the governor or commanding officer on the Ohio, will have the service certified by your excellency, or by your order, and the abstracts transmitted directly to this office. I have to request the further favor of your Excellency that you would be pleased to direct, that the wages which have been allowed and paid by Virginia for the scouts for each year from the peace, be transmitted to me, together with the general rules which were directed by the state for calling said scouts into service, and the evidence required of the performance of said service.