[Copy] War Department June 9^th 1791 Sir I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letters of the 28^th and 29^th Ultimo and of the 1^st instant. The Clothing and Canteens for Harmar Battallion must have all reached Fort Pitt on or about the 7^th instant. Sheet Iron was sent forward in order to make the Camp Kettles at Fort Pitt — Camp Kettles ready-made would have been rendered useless by the transportation. The Knapsacks were neither painted nor strapped but the Quarter Master was to forward both paint and straps. But in order to remedy the matter entirely I have directed a sufficiency to be painted and strapped here and they will be forwarded in a few days. The Quarter Master says that he consulted good judges on the article of the Pack saddles but I believe from your representation that he has been mistaken. I am satisfied that you have employed some [undecipherable] to make two or other saddles of the materials which you mention to make up the pack saddles have not been already forwarded which I believe is the case it shall be done immediately. The Quarter Master made an arrangement for Boats and the carrying horses — I have conceived that Kentucky was the proper place to purchase the Pack horses and have directed it accordingly. Mr Hodgdon the Quarter Master set out from Carlisle on the 7^th instant and will be at Fort Pitt by the 12^th or 13^th. He is amply furnished with the means of obtaining every thing that shall be wanting for the Campaign, and I have directed him to take your advice upon such preparations as you may deem essential and which have not already been done. As the representations to the public in the preparations of the Campaign, I feel it my duty and it is most certainly my inclination that every article however minute should be furnished and I have given the directions accordingly. From the activity of Mr Hodgdon and his ample funds I have no doubt that all things in the Quarter Masters department will be prepared in due season. The returns of the provisions which you transmitted me it appears that such a quantity of flour is already purchased that no apprehensions may be entertained on that account, until the expedition shall take place and during the operations the Troops dependance must be placed on live Cattle — the Boats to be established will receive six months' salted meat and the other parts of the Ration in proportion. The object the Contractor has promised to attend to and from his information there will be no disappointment. There are no light Fusees for the Army Officers. The French Arms which have been forwarded are not heavy and I should presume would answer the purpose of all the Officers, well. As the parties of levies excepting the Virginians who are yet to march forward will be armed the arms requested by the State might have been delivered. The Colors for the levies have not been deemed essential, but at your earnest request they shall be forwarded. There are plenty of tents gone forward but I believe no Marquees. The nature of the Campaign will render it very improper that heavy tents should be used on the expedition, but the Quarter Master can modify those already gone according to the directions of the General Officers. I am well satisfied that Major Butler has been appointed to the command of the western Battallion of levies in this State. I hope the remaining company will soon be filled and marched. The object of Colonel Proctor's mission having availed on which he informed you General Sinclair will no restrain the expedition under General Scott. I am persuaded that you transmitted to General St Clair the whole of Colonel Proctor's dispatches because on his early receipt thereof much will depend. You will not station more troops on the upper parts of the Ohio than shall be necessary for the defensive protection of the frontier — all beyond that number you will order down the Rivers to Head Quarters. You will also make a perfect arrangement for the collection of those who shall be employed in the defensive protection at the time they shall be required for the expedition. I enclose you in confidence an estimate of the troops who have marched and who will march in the course of the present month. The recruiting service has been very dull in New Hampshire Massachusetts and Rhode Island. In Connecticut it has been better. I hope however to march five hundred regulars three years men in the course of the present month, but this includes Doyle's and Beatty's and six others to the Eastward. This number is contemplated in the number of the enclosed estimate. As we shall not have all the three Years men I was induced to hope — and as you seem to hope think that a Company of levies could be raised in Fayette, I hereby authorize you to raise one two three or even four companies or a battallion of levies provided the object could be certainly accomplished by the 15^th or 20^th of July in the upper counties of Pennsylvania and Virginia. If you persist in this measure you will immediately inform me and General St Clair thereof, for the bounties and advance pay you will draw upon the Pay Master. A great part of the Clothing is ready-made and shall be immediately forwarded upon your notification. If you could appoint the Officers and as soon as the President of the United States shall arrive which will be about the 22^d inst the Commissions shall be forwarded upon the names of the Officers being certified by you. I am afraid of the instability of Gentlemen Volunteers and therefore cannot give any encouragement to the idea. The organization of the Corps of Cavalry is with Major General St Clair who will take Regulars or levies or both as he shall judge proper. The equipments are excellent and I hope the Corps will be of that description. I have suggested Captain Faulkner who now of lees Corps as an Officer of Horse. I consider that all the troops mentioned in the enclosed Schedule will be at Head Quarters by the 15^th of August at farthest — the greater part long before, as I presume that twenty three hundred will have marched from their respective rendezvous on or before the 22^d instant — but this includes Davies' Battallion. There is no frontier Battallion of Virginia. General Battallion is of the territory of the United States South of the Ohio, there are five Battallions of levies only — to wit: levies, Virginia — Maryland — These compose the first Regiment of levies. The second is composed from the two battallions from this State and one from New Jersey. You mention your taking some measures with the Six nations — this must not interfere with the treaty which is to take place at the pointed spot, to be held there by Colonel Pickering on the 17^th instant. I am of your opinion that the Indians must join one side or the other and that the Senecas and others had better join ours than the Enemys. Colonel Pickering is instructed upon this point. You will I am persuaded join at Head Quarters at Fort Washington, as soon as that you shall judge the service does not longer require your presence at Fort Pitt or as soon as you receive the orders for that purpose from General St Clair. In this case you will undoubtedly give the necessary orders to be observed relative to the collection and transportation of the troops. But as I have before mentioned to you it is my desire to avoid the least interference with the orders of Major General St Clair — his orders are therefore to be obeyed in all respects. I am &c. Henry Knox Sec^y. of War. Major General Richard Butler [endorsed — No. 19—]