[Extract of a letter from the Secretary of War to Governor Blount] "War department, August 9, 1791." "The depredations committed by the indians on the Cumberland Settlements require the most serious consideration. Whatever measures can be devised at this distance to avoid such conduct in future and to obtain satisfaction for the past will be done." "In the mean time it would be highly proper that you should in a temperate but firm manner represent to M^r M^cGillivray the evils which will arise from this business, and to urge him to take immediate measures to pardon and punish the aggressors, or deliver them up to be punished by us."