[Copy] War Department 2^d August 1791. Sir I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your favor of the 10^th May, by the post this morning, covering a duplicate of yours of the 26^t of June, containing General Scott's enclosures. Your letter of the 26^o of June and the first of yours of the 26^th of June, have not yet been received. Brigadier General Scott's dispatches were received by Lieutenant Willis, on the 26^t Ultimo. The success of his expedition will probably be attended with exceeding beneficial consequences, and prepare the minds of the Indians for that peace, which only can save them from destruction. I should hope by the time you can receive this letter you will also receive the whole of your force from Fort Pitt, Phelon's detachment included. I have not heard from General Hears since the 8^th of June; then informed me that nearly three companies were completed and would march in a few days. As he was furnished with money for all objects and clothing of more there was no cause of failure. But as Phelon is concerned, as the rear Guard of your troops for the expedition, of which you have been informed, so on — Davies possess all the information of your force which is in my power to afford, and as you embrace the objects to be performed and the difficulties to be surmounted, you will be entirely competent to decide upon the additional force to be secured, and I am persuaded that you have taken efficient arrangements to obtain one additional number from Kentucky and of such species, as you shall judge adequate to make up all deficiencies. Captain Newman marched from this city with Eighty three Non Commissioned and privates, regulars, on the 30^th Ultimo, and Captain Bond will march from New Brunswick on the 10^th instant, with detachments from New England and such numbers as are in this City to make up probably about One Hundred and twenty regulars more. But, neither of these detachments will arrive in time to make part of your army. In addition to these detachments I presume there will be about two hundred and fifty, or three hundred more regulars enlisted and marched between the 10^th instant and the first of October, after which it is probable the recruiting service will be suspended during the winter season. But as I have before intimated, it is most probable you will be able to fill up your regular regiments by recruits from the Army. The powder and lead which you request were early forwarded from this city to to Fort Pitt and ought to have formed part of Major Henderson's convoy. The Quarter Master will forward them. The fine and half inch shells and shot you request shall be forwarded immediately, but it is not possible for them to arrive in time for your expedition. The quantities you have on hand will probably be sufficient in the first instance for your route, and as many as you can carry. On the 1^st of March I ordered two hundred shot and shells to be forwarded for each piece of artillery then directed for the posts. Mr. Hodgdon depended on a furnace at Fort Pitt for these article, by which the transportation would be saved. As on the 29^th of May write me word they cannot be had. You mention that you have directed the Contractor's agent to make a provisional agreement for Eight hundred pack horses to transport the provisions for the army. I am persuaded that you will direct no more than shall be necessary to give efficacy to your movement, and your judgment must be definitive on the case. But, I am conversing from a conversation between you and the Contractor in my office, that he has calculated on a far less number. The idea was then entertained that posts of communication were to be established and the supplies carried from one to the other. I shall inform him of your opinion and request him to extend his arrangement to the number you may direct. As you will take as little baggage with you, as possible, the numbers I have contemplated in the Quarter Masters department will not exceed three hundred pack horses, but I have directed him to comply with your orders for such further numbers as you may direct. Major General Butler writes that Lieutenant Delpas is arranged at Fort Franklin agreeably to your orders. Major General Butler will inform you particularly of the arrangements he has made for the defensive protection of the Copper Countries of the Ohio. The liberal extension he has made will most probably be satisfactory to the settlers on that part of the frontiers. You will also direct to state particularly the arrangement you may think proper to make on the posts of the Ohio below the Kenhawa. It will be highly proper to check the spirit of desertion which you mention, by some early and decided examples. The rules and articles of War will probably undergo a revision at the next session of Congress, and it is possible some grades of punishment be obtained between One Hundred lashes and death, which as you justly observe are almost infinitely disproportionate. It is said, and it is probably true that Brandt has returned to Niagara from the Nations Breves, and that he has brought some Western Indians with him; if so, and their desires are for peace, we shall soon hear from them. The Indians at Buffalo Creek and those at Colonel Pickering's treaty asserted that Brandt went forth for the purpose of peace, and intimations to that effect, are also constantly given in this city, by a gentleman in the confidence of Lord Dorchester, and it is said that Sir John Johnson is to assemble the five nations at Buffaloe Creek immediately. The indications which shall result from this Council and Brandt's messages will probably give a decided complexion to the present to Indian affairs. As the British policy opposes upon Indian hostilities, and the five nations keep quiet — your operations and your intimations of the disposition of the United States, to be at peace with all the Indian eastern tribes, will in the course, in the season cover the object — and you will probably be induced to establish your posts without opposition. I inclose your dispatches to Colonel Pickering's letter to you of the 8^th Ultimo and of its queries and answers of Captain Hendricks. The treaty closed the 5^th Ultimo and the Indians returned satisfied, Colonel Pickering's — and had not attempt to persuade any of them to join our army, as he feared such a proposal would be very inadvisable. [But,] Big Tree came from Canadiaway with a proposition to assist our army to make peace. This was debated and refused. The President of the United States still continues anxious that you should at the earliest moment commence your operations. I inclose you the Copy of a letter to Major General Butler of this date, which I presume will be the last he will receive for the present at Fort Pitt. I am Sir With the greatest esteem Your most obedient Servant H Knox Sec^r. of War I.E. Major Generals St Clair. Endorsed — [undecipherable] 5