[Copy] [Duplicate] War department 14^th May 1791. Sir, On the seventh of this month I had the satisfaction to receive your favor of the first. of June. The late or General Scott's incursion must have been decided long ere this, but we are in the dark as to the result. It was reported at Fort Pitt on the seventh, that he had succeeded greatly, but the particulars of the report were not transmitted to me. The letters from [undecipherable] General Butler at Fort Pitt are encouraging as to the supplies, the State of the River, and the general transportability of the frontier. General Butler has most undoubtedly transmitted you, Rhea's information, although some things contained therein may be doubted, yet there is strong reason to believe that others are true. I transmit you a Copy of my letter to General Butler on receiving Rhea's information. We must by all means avoid involving the United States with Great Britain, until events arise on the merits and magnitude so to impress the people of the United States and the world at large on the rank in noted and graseness of their procedure. "But a war with that power in the present state of slavery, would would retard our power, growth and happiness beyond almost the power of calculation. The information of Rhea will serve to guide your measures and seems to strengthen and rivet the propriety of assuming the position with a strong hand, mentioned in your instructions. I inclose you duplicates of my letter to you, and Nigh General Butler of the [undecipherable] instant, a duplicate of the Schedule therein inclosed. A duplicate to mine to General Butler of the twelfth and of mine to him of this date. The hundred regulars mentioned in the the Schedule to march by the first of August will I hope be increased to one hundred and sixty; I judge from appearances. But it may be doubted whether they will arrive in time for the expedition which I presume now will be in readiness to commence at the earliest the first of September. I shall with the approbation of the President of the United States, continue the recruiting service in the Eastern States until the first of October, during which time it may be expected we may obtain two hundred and fifty or three hundred regulars in addition to those surprises specified in the inclosed Schedule. I hope however that you will be able with the Scouts or any Indians to call on some frontier regiments from the Gover. You will please to opine mine your opinion on the probability of that event. I am with great esteem your most obedient servant [a.C.] Major General St. Clair. [Endorsed: — N^o 2 Duplicate.]