War department 23^d December 179[undecipherable] Sir I have received your letter of the [undecipherable]th inst and I suppose you have received mine of the [undecipherable]teenth. I hope that captain [undecipherable]'s statement had not descended the Ohio circumstances as things are until he received my letter of the [undecipherable]teenth. I find by a letter written by the inhabitants of Fort [undecipherable] to the governor of [undecipherable] State, that their fears are exceedingly alarmed. I am persuaded however that my letter of the [undecipherable]teenth will have the effect to quiet their apprehensions, especially if the detachment directed as should have been led by Captain [undecipherable] as ordered in my last to him. I shall [undecipherable] you as soon as the [undecipherable] are [undecipherable] that M[undecipherable] shall have descended the Ohio you will therefore if you feel [undecipherable] him will in reach find the enclosed to him. Rely upon you to [strikethrough: not] forward the Store house, and have it [undecipherable] together with the conveniences for the men, with all possible dispatch. The apprehensions of the inhabitants will without doubt accelerate greatly your arrangements. Captain [undecipherable] with about one hundred and twenty regular troops will begin their march from this city on the 23^d [undecipherable] and march with all diligence to Fort [undecipherable] where at least forty of them will be stationed for the security of the place and its neighborhood. You will transmit me the estimates required in my last — You will see that the public service will hardly admit of your coming to this place at present. I am Sir Your most humble Servant [Major [undecipherable]] H Knox [undecipherable]