[No 24] Extract of a letter from the Secretary of War to Governor Blount — dated 15^th August, 1795 "The depredations of the Indians upon our frontiers, suggest again, Major Montflorence, a necessity of their service, is required to be im-mediately and effectually checked." "But it cannot be concealed that it is the work of difficulty —" "The importance of military posts is very considerable and that of one or two such more [undecipherable] — This seems nothing to punish the depredations, [undecipherable] of the [undecipherable] [undecipherable] to [undecipherable] present the companies being [undecipherable], your government, then [undecipherable] — But I should hope that [undecipherable] moderately offer the expeditions, that one or two could be spared for the objects you mention —" "In the mean time the President of the United States, freely authorizes you to embody [undecipherable] of the militia of your government, [undecipherable] continuing[?] to [undecipherable] in your judgement, the defensive protection of the frontiers shall render indispensible. It is to be hoped, that at the excess [undecipherable] you [undecipherable] may more decidedly the [undecipherable] compel[?] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] your [undecipherable] for the protection of the frontiers — [undecipherable] to be [undecipherable], that from a regard to your own character and to proper oeconomy, you will not call out any unnecessary numbers. The militia to be called into service in pursuance of this authority, to be upon the same pay and rations as the troops of the United States, agreeably to the schedule herein enclosed — and for such periods of service as you may judge right and best; taking care to replace them from time to time, while the defence of the frontiers shall require it. You will make such arrangements for supplying the said militia with provisions, by contract, as you shall think best — provided that each ration shall not be charged higher than eight cents, but to be allowed in such bounties as [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] The said militia are to be regularly[?] mustered by [undecipherable] mustering [undecipherable] upon entering and leaving service, and the [undecipherable] [undecipherable] the [undecipherable] [undecipherable] the [undecipherable] of their [undecipherable] service. The accounts and [undecipherable] of the [undecipherable] regulations of said militia, must be [undecipherable] to their officers, appointed by proper documents for [undecipherable]ation and payments, and also [undecipherable] [undecipherable] money, to receive the money. It is however to be observed, that this service being to be performed under the general powers, vested by law in the President of the United States, no payments can be made until the next Session of Congress. The said militia whilst in actual service, will be subject to the rules and articles of war, [undecipherable] [undecipherable] with the transportation[?] You will give the most pointed instructions relative to the destination and disposition of the said militia, and as it becomes the [undecipherable] you shall call out, and the periods of service, and the [undecipherable] you shall [undecipherable] for furnishing them with arms. But besides this arrangement, it is the express desire of the President of the United States, that you send [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] person to the tribes, to which the offenders belong, and there present to them, that they must [undecipherable] [undecipherable] made for the [undecipherable] of the [undecipherable] young men — That the United States cannot and will not suffer the depredations of any part of the Indian Tribes — with whom [undecipherable] [undecipherable] treaties — There is the desire of the United States, to treat the Indians with entire justice and humanity, and that a similar return will be exerted. The persons whom you send on this business, ought to be intelligent and a lover of peace, and you will report the result. The act of Congress, authorizing the President of the United States to call out the militia, have not provided any punishment for delinquency — But after they are in service, they will be subject to the rules and articles of War — It would be therefore prudent to consider the militia of your territory, as governed by the laws of North Carolina, until after they are in actual service, and to inflict such punishments as the laws of that State shall provide for delinquency.