Oneida Jan^y 5^th 1792 [Col,] I have the honor to acquaint you of my arrival here, with a number of the Oneida Chiefs, whom I conducted back from Albany of which General Schuyler, has doubtless given you information. After holding several Councils with the Oneidas & their allies, generally to Indian purposes, the two Runners Cap't John & Peter Otsequette set out with Col. Pickering's invitation speech yesterday morning for Buffalo Creek. After dispatching them was obliged to sit in council the rest of the day. — Tho' the accounts which the Oneidas have rec'd from the westward, the defeat of our army has very much alarmed the Senecas, and the whole Six Nations. A messenger has been sent to the Sandusky & Capt. Brant [strikethrough: exporting] the western Indians [strikethrough: that porting] their intentions to visit the six Nations [strikethrough: the] enjoining them upon the western Confederacy [undecipherable] they have particularly [undecipherable] [undecipherable] Brant this village for refusing to join them [undecipherable] with them the last fall. — And now boasting some off victories over the Americans they begin to visit the Six Nations. — they have likewise [undecipherable: inspected] their disappointment of the treaty at Stockton Point. — its tendency & object was to attach the six nations to the interest of the white people & to dissuade them from joining the western Confederacy. — It is reported that Capt. Brant intends to put himself under the protection of Congress. But this is [strikethrough: actually standing] [strikethrough: probably] effect — that he has sent to some principal families in the Six nations to sound them, [strikethrough: and find] [strikethrough: what ways] they intend to take for their interest [strikethrough: at Indians'] safety. Good Peter & Skenendorgh on monday next — [strikethrough: the Brant] & several others are set out with me from Oneida for Genifer, the place appointed for our rendezvouz. So soon as I shall [strikethrough: determine] see them actually started I shall go forward & make the necessary preparations & be ready for any occurrence — before I left Philadelphia I [strikethrough: always] to Col. Pickering, that it would be difficult for me to be limited to the precise number of Chiefs mentioned in his invitation speech — that several others should be added, to make the representation complete, otherwise jealousies would be excited — He gave me liberty to make such additions, as I should find necessary & unavoidable. Good Peter is very helpful to me in this matter. either he is fearful it will not be in my power (from [undecipherable]) to deny [undecipherable] to join the express delegation of the Six Nations to Congress. It is considered by the Indians as some great & extraordinary affair to be invited from [strikethrough: having] the Great Council of the 13 fires, not to get a peep at the great American Chief. Many of the Indians would [undecipherable] perform the whole route, only for the sake of gratifying their curiosity, in having one look at the President. — Gen'l Schuyler is fully of opinion, that this visit to the Seat of Government will do more to fix them in their attachments to our true interest than half a dozen Treaties. He advised me by no means to be sparing of expense, to effect it, & said he would write you upon the subject. I shall act my best judgement — I cannot but flatter myself, that my conduct herein will meet your approbation, which will contribute no small share of happiness to him who Subscribes, with great truth & esteem Your obed. hum. Serv't Hon^ble Gen'l Knox [undecipherable: T. Thickland?] P.S. By direct intelligence from Grand River am informed, that Capt. Brant was dangerously sick, the last of November, for several days had just before the [undecipherable] been given over by his Physicians — but at last [strikethrough: to be probable] W.A. Hazard his recovery was announced as [undecipherable]. [10 Jan^y 1792 Oneida Jan^y 5, 1792]