In Senate of the United States Dec^r 23. 1790 Resolved, That it would be inexpedient to alter the System for funding the public debt established during the last Session of Congress and that the petition of Thomas M'Kean & others styling themselves a Committee of the Public Creditors of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania cannot be granted. The Yeas & Nays being required upon the above Resolution were as follows: Yeas. Mess^rs Bassett, Butler Dalton, Dickenson, Ellsworth Elmer, Few, Foster. Hawkins, Johnson, King, Langdon Maclay, Read Schuyler, Stanton, Strong, Johnson, Wingate. Nay. M^r Morris. Philadelphia Dec^r 15 1790 Last night Lt. Denny arrived from Fort Washington the Head Quarters of the troops on the Ohio and brought the following important letters, by which it will appear that the main objects of the expedition have been accomplished, notwithstanding the reports to the contrary. Governor St Clair's letter to the Secretary at War. Sir Fort Washington Nov. 6. 1790. On the 19^th of last month I had the honor to inform you generally of the success which had attended General Harmar's. I could not then give you the particulars, as the General's letters had not then reached me. f the Officers however who had them in his charge got in a few days afterwards. J It is not now necessary, because he writes himself. One thing however is certain that the Savages have given a most terrible stroke — of which nothing can be a greater proof, that that they have not attempted to harass the army on its return. They arrived at this place on the 3^d instant in good health & spirits. There is not yet any account from Major Hamtranck — I trust he also has been successful, but this I think is certain that no great misfortune can have happened to him, for in that case we should certainly have heard of it. M^r Denny the gentleman who takes General Harmer's dispatches, I beg leave to mention to you in a particular manner, and if you will be pleased to do so to the President in his favour, you may be assured he will not disappoint any expectations that may be formed. He has every quality that I could wish a young man to possess that means to serve the army his profession. There are however some traits in his character as a man, that are not generally known, that would endear him. Out of the little pittance he receives, he has maintained two aged Parents for a long time. General Harmer's letters. Head Quarters Fort Washington Nov 4 1790 Sir I have the honor to inform you that on the 20^th of Sep^t I marched with 320 federal troops & 1133 militia: total 1453. After encountering a few difficulties, we gained the Miami village, It was abandoned before we entered it which I was very sorry for. The villainous traders would have been a principal object of attention. I beg leave to refer you to my orders which are inclosed. The substance of the work is this, our loss was heavy, but the head quarters of Iniquity were broken up. At a moderate computation not less than 100 or 120 warriors were slain, and 200 wigwams & Log houses burned. Our loss about 180. The remainder of the Indians will be ill off for sustenance. Twenty thousand barrels of Indian corn in the ears was destroyed by the army with vegetables in abundance. The loss of Major Wyllis & Lieutenant Frothingham of the federal troops, and a number of valuable militia Officers I sincerely lament. The Bearer Lieu. Denny is my Adjutant. It will afford me great satisfaction to know that some mark of honor will be shown him. His long and faithful services merit it. There is a vast deal of business in this western world. If there is no impropriety in giving me an aid de camp, I wish him to be the person. In my next dispatches I shall enter into the minutiæ of business, & give you a particular description of each days march with all the occurrences & observations. I have the honor to be Sir with perfect esteem Your Most Humble & Ob^ed Serv^t Jof. Harmer Lt Col Commandant 1 U.S. Regiment NB. My Adjutant is really & truly an Officer. (To the Hon. Major General Knox Secretary of War) General Orders Fort Washington Nov 4. 1790. The Kentucky & Pennsylvania Militia are to be mustered this afternoon at two o clock by Capt. Tangler. The order and regularity observed by the Militia in their return to the Ohio or river, was highly commendable. Upon the whole the general is exceedingly pleased with their conduct during the expedition. Notwithstanding our loss was great, yet when they reflect that the army in five weeks, not only effected the capital object of destroying the Miami Villages and the Maumee Towns as they are generally called, with the vast quantity of corn & vegetables therein but also killed upwards of an hundred of their warriors, it must afford every man the greatest satisfaction. The Militia from Kentucky are to receive pay until the 10^th instant; provisions are to be issued to them until that time, & tomorrow morning they are to march to their respective homes. The General returns his thanks to every officer and private for their good conduct, and hereby dispatches them with honor & reputation. The wounded men are to be left under the care of D^r Alison & his mates who will take all possible care of them. Jof. Harmer Brig. Gen. Return of the Killed & Wounded Fort Washington 4 Nov. 1790 Killed of the Federal Troops. 1. Major, 1 Lieutenant; 73 rank & file, total 75 — Wounded 3 rank & file, [strikethrough: total] — Killed of the Militia 1 Major 3 Captains 2 Lieutenants, 4 Ensigns, 98 rank & file, total 128 —. Wounded, 2 Lieutenants, 1 Ensign 25 rank & file, total 28. Total, Killed, 183. — Wounded 31. Killed of the federal troops. Major Wyllis & Lieutenant Frothingham. Killed of the Militia. Major Fontane, Captains, Throp, Scott & Mc Murrer — Lieutenants Clark & Rogers — Ensigns, Sweet, Bridges, Higgins, Thrallkeld. Wounded Lieutenant Sanders & Worley. Ensign Arnold. Jof. Harmer Brig. Gen. The Treasurer of the United States will receive at his office, on Monday the 27^th instant (Dec.) at 10 o clock written proposals for the sale of the different species of the public debt, which if not taken at the prices offered, shall be returned the next morning. It is requested that the vouchers of the debt will be left with the proposals. Payment will be made as soon as the transfer is completed. Treasurer of the U.S. Dec^r 17. 1790