Painted, 27 Jan.^y 1792 which is worth mostly known Since the date of the above I have had very little leisure to rest. I have had an opportunity to were present unexpectedly conveying a letter with some degree of safety & with a messenger from this to Albany, if I can be ready within half an hour — Both duty & inclination oblige me to give you every necessary information in respect to the views of my Embassy & the disposition of the Indians in this vicinity. I consider it as a matter of great importance to the peace & security of the Genessee Country & adjacent settlements that the proposed delegation from the six nations should go down to the seat of Government as soon as possible, and the present critical juncture, will justify me in any additional expence with which it may be attended & fully exculpate me from blame in that article. It is my duty to inform you that great efforts have been & will still be made from the vicinity of Niagara to prevent the Indians going down — particularly the night before last a Runner come from the Fish carrier, & the Farmers Brother, demanding his immediate attendance that they were much divided & became very jealous of each other — many have moved from this Paris to the southward & westward, some from Buffalo Creek to this place, but intend to leave it next spring — Those who appear most friendly to the Americans, were about the last four years, they would [strikethrough: thinking] [strikethrough: or think] the department of [undecipherable] at that they would never speak any more in peace to Indians & [strikethrough: the certainty] & thus confess the distrust of Indians that the great spirit is on the side of the Indians & inspired them with courage to gain their victory. I that all Indians now ought to join the union. [strikethrough: that all I need matters, saying how] [strikethrough: they have not heard how] [strikethrough: Nothing of my] [strikethrough: but only in general] I say nothing of my self; I wish you in certain terms — & any white people, I would tell the Indians [undecipherable], nor would it be well that the Indians Should know of all my communications for some of them place enormous confidence in me — The Farmers Brother, at Painted last evening — told me, in Council of the Chief, that he thought on the whole, it was best for him to comply with Fish carriers' request of governor Mandates — He would return in seven nights for & he believed he could prevail on the Fish Carrier to come down with him — Not having any return from Cap^t Brant, I have sent another Express to [undecipherable], that I may have an explicit answer, not having yet at an Indian Council, at the Buffaloe from which all white persons were to be excluded — after this he would take into consideration Col. Pikerings Message — in the mean while the Fish Carrier would send & fetch Cap^t Brant to be present at this private Indian council — Whether this has originated from Col. Butler or the western Indians [undecipherable], or Fish carrier [undecipherable], is privately suggested That the Fish Carrier, is afraid to come down on account of his young warriors having [strikethrough: the last] [undecipherable] [undecipherable], & gone, then been with the western hostile Indians — But the whole settlement of Buffaloe, I believe, can attest, that the chiefs & female governesses generally to ancient custom made use of every effort in their power to prevent their going [strikethrough: openly] in good reason that the Fish carrier will be clear of blame in this matter — The defeat of our army, I find has excited a [strikethrough: strong violent] [undecipherable] for war, among the young men — & if a peace should not be made with the western Indians the insuing Spring — I know not what will restrain them — I offered to you in my last letter, which I had the honour of addressing to you — I offered to send Jones with one or two of their Runners & the Fish Carrier with a Message from the Farmers Brother & save him the fatigue of the Journey, if [strikethrough: it would] [strikethrough: afford it] — good Peter advised me not to urge the matter, but after giving my opinion [strikethrough: of some one] taking [undecipherable] their own way — I [strikethrough: have an expedition] [undecipherable] Indian Counsellor than good Peter — they all stand in fear of him — he is very prudent, & friendly to [strikethrough: the United States] — It is a happy circumstance that the Oneida Chiefs have come up to signify & their adorning [undecipherable] [undecipherable] to America, & their presence animates the [undecipherable] [undecipherable] Covers Peace — [undecipherable] the intelligence Cap^t Hendricks [strikethrough: That Cornplanters] [undecipherable] written & from [undecipherable] Kingston — gives me & some other information, I believe that a treaty may be brought about with this hostile Tribe this insuing Spring — [undecipherable] I consider it a matter of much importance that Corn planter should be present at Philadelphia with the expected delegation from the six Nations that I believe I shall be justified in sending an Express for him — I am not without hopes of obtaining both Fish Carrier & Cap^t Brants' about ten days will determine — all except Cha: Shy & those above mentioned, have concluded to go — the basket must have one or two of his young warriors to wait [next Page 9^th] 27 Jan 1792 From the Intelligence Cap^t Hendrick gave me of his conversation with a number of the western Indians at Niagara & some other information, I believe a Treaty may be brought about with the hostile tribes the insuing Spring, only the defeat of our Army has given them different feelings. I consider it of so much importance that Corn- planter should be present at Philadelphia with the expected delegation from the six Na- tions, that I am persuaded I shall be justified in sending an express for him. I am not with- out hopes of obtaining both the Fish carrier & Cap^t Brant — about ten days will deter- mine — All except Cha: Shy & the two above mentioned, have concluded to go — Red Jacket must have one or two of his young warriors to wait upon him — Otherwise, he says, he shall not appear in character. I have no[t] objected to his taking one & the Farmers Brother another & they are two fine young men [strikethrough: independent] [strikethrough: knowing] — I am afraid of the expense on the [undecipherable] [undecipherable] & on the other afraid of missing the object by being [strikethrough: too] [strikethrough: sparing] — as to myself I have no object whatever, but the good of my country in the present Embassy — I shall act my best judge- ment & cannot but persuade myself that my well meant endeavours will meet your approbation You will excuse my writing — [strikethrough: it is not] [undecipherable] no recommendation, tell me that from here past, nor can I be rested unless in the dead of night — one or another will be continually with me — the [strikethrough: just now] [strikethrough: for] house I have hired for my own lodgings & the Council fire (as they call it) has but one room — & no other — [strikethrough: that it is] at work almost at midnight — nor is there a single house or wigwam with two rooms or fire places, in all the vicinity — my company itself have suffered much by the extreme cold weather — very uncommon in these parts — I hope my next will announce to you some better tidings — in haste I subscribe myself, with great sentiments of respect & esteem Hon^ble Sir, Your ob^t hum Serv^t [signature] J. Strickland [?] [left margin notation:] To Gen^l Knox Senecal 27 1792 Hon^ble Gen^l H. Knox S. W.