[Copy] Oneida 22^d april 1791 Hon^d Sir, When I was in Philadelphia the winter past, and honoured with a personal interview with you, the character & present Situation of the Indians were a Subject of much conversation — among other things the propriety & practicability of an accomodation with the Indians in the vicinity of the Miami, to prevent the horrors of an Indian war were inquired into. — Their complaints and uneasiness which at length broke out into open hostilities. I ascribed to two causes, viz: the influence & artifice of unprincipled traders & others who had immediate access to them — & Secondly their ignorance of the fixed determination & real disposition of Congress, to do strict Justice to the Indians. To remove those prejudices & correct their mistaken apprehensions, it was [undecipherable] that a number of their chiefs should be [undecipherable] down to Congress, that both might have a fair hearing; this idea was suggested by Captain alias Complanter, who on the occasion remarked that the voice of Congress could never reach those western Indians: before it had pass'd over a tract of Country it would either evaporate into the air, or be intercepted by the voice of [underline: the birds] — alluding to the artifice of evil minded persons & unfriendly to the States. Some time after my return from Philadelphia as a friendly correspondence is kept up betwixt Cap^t Brant & my self. I wrote him upon the State of the Indians at large, & the discouragements that attended every attempt already made to introduce the arts of civilized life among them; Subjects upon which we had frequently conversed with the utmost freedom. I also expressed my fears that their love of war with their spirit of jealousy would terminate in their ruin. I must acknowledge that my chief design in this, was to obtain his sentiments & feelings towards the hostile Indians in the vicinity of the [underline: miami]. A few days ago I received his answer by two Runners. Your official Character & known humanity induce me to transmit you a copy of his letter, for [underline: your own] perusal & not for publication — as my Situation among them is delicate, & am continually watched. I shall at present make no comment upon his letter — am obliged to write in haste — the Strong trait of British influence & interests in many passages will not easily escape your discovering eye. — as I deprecate an Indian War from every principle both of humanity & policy — if it can possibly be avoided without a direct violation of the laws of the general Government; permit me Sir, to suggest the idea of sending Cap^t Hendrick & one other chief of the [This tribe has] Stock bridge tribe to the westward. — This tribe has formerly more influence with the [underline: miamies], [underline: Shawanese], [underline: Delawares] and [underline: Chippiwas] than all the five nations. Captain Hendrick is well acquainted with their customs & manners, & has since the war received several invitations from those western tribes to make them a Visit. He once went as far as Buffaloe Creek where he met with some of his own Nation, who reside in that quarter. In private Council of the Oneida chiefs, they have advised to the measure. Captain Hendrick, flatters himself, he could convince them of the justice and goodness of Congress in the treatment they are disposed to give to all Indians. & persuade them to lay down the hatchet; till they could give congress a fair hearing. As you are in a great measure a stranger to Captain Hendrick's Character allow me from long personal acquaintance, to say in a word, that he is very little inferior to [underline: Complanter]; who also him self has a high esteem of Cap^t Hendrick. & mentioned him to me. when at Philadelphia as a [undecipherable] person for an embassy to the westward. — Captain Hendrick, with one other will either go in the name & behalf of their own Nation, or at your direction as may be thought best. — if he can only be furnished for the Journey with the nec^y articles of clothing, belts & Strings of wamrum, with a little pocket money, the whole amount of which would be no more than fifty or sixty dollars — The Support of his family might require as much as twenty bushels of grain betwixt this & next fall. Should the proposal meet your approbation, as bearing the signatures of humanity & policy — You will please to honor me, with the earliest notices — as no time should be lost for the enterprise; to forward which every aid in my power shall be most chearfully afforded With Sentiments of highest respect and esteem I am Hon^d Sir Your most obed^t humb^le Ser^t Signed Sam^l Kirkland Miss^y [Honorable H. Knox Esq^r Sec^y W. D.]