[Sumner Papers Packet 5] [3] Sir Yours of the 15^th of June I received which gave me infinite pleasure to hear of the resolutions you have entered into to form a new [undecipherable: probable reading "campaign"] as the former proved so unsuccessful, and this last one goes the contrary as it gives me the greatest concern imaginable for the loss of so many brave men, and the exquisite pain I was in for fear any thing from me may fall into the hands of the Enemy — Your desire that I should give you my opinion as to the strenght of the country and how they are affected. I have already given you all the information I could get here M^r Hee has conducted matters and the Rottery of the English last year it was in agitation to fortify the Miamis M^r Hee Caldwell, Elliot La Mott a light Rumbery and Lieu^t Lainy were very strong advocates for the completion of it as the above bat expected the command there. They have pitched upon a place for a fort (but from what motives I cannot determine) it is laid aside. The line of conduct that M^r Hee has laid down is of a very intricate nature he has got over Caldwell Elliot and la Mott who are implacable enemies to the States — The embezzelment of the Store has no small share in bringing those matters about what with purchasing Negroes and Horses which are purchased from the Country and with Lead and presents So to the Savages to induce them to cut off the poor Husbandman from your Frontier sums up but a small share of his Villainy. The they' that is garrisoned here ye have very good right to know them as they were the first that drew blood on the defenseless people at Lexington — The officer who commands them is a very quiet easy man, he would rather attend the slaughter house or carpenters shop than give himself the trouble to exercise his Men — I can assure you upon my honour he has not had them thro a field day since they were stationed here — This fall a great quantity of ordnance stores come up here, six field pieces Carts Waggons Ammunition and Intrenching Tools Sampees for the use of this intended post — All these matters are of very little consequence as the French in particular (thro my means) are no ways attached to their Savage principles, they in general are well versed in the Indian Tongue, and have frustrated in a great measure the above Villians plans. Im positive if an Army was to appear the Major part of them and the Militia would join you with plenty of provisions and every necessary you may be in want of there being abundance of every kind here — I make no doubt if you was once in possession of this place that you would raise a compleat Battalion of the inhabitants for the internal protection of it — So to the Naval Naval department the' seem to make a very great shew they are now building a Twenty Gun Ship which will be an extra expense to the King and of as little service as the above French or Metistees especially while the' have such commandos I should be very happy to give you a clear idea of every thing that would be of service to you in your undertakings. But to know things well we should have them in detail and as that is in a manner infinite our knowledge is always superficial and imperfect. I have had a great deal of conversation with Lieu^t Turner about these matters and to give him a clearer I took him down the settlement in my Canoes and introduced him to such friends as I could confide in (they being but few) the residue being a remnant of Caldwells Blood-hounds — the most egregious rascals existing — The plan I mentioned to you in a former Letter concerted by our friend Robinson and me to abolish this internal department I have had no returns from Europe as yet so that the following may if well executed I have mentioned it to Turner who will acquaint you with particulars more at large than I can possibly pen it If agreeable to you I think it will be a means of extirpating the savages and the Heads of the Blood-hounds — If you can confide in Twelve or fourteen Men of undaunted courage with a resolute officer I have not the least doubt but by what instructions I have given a few friends down the settlement who are ready and willing that assistance to be able to carry or cut M'K— & & — La M and Girty off— I have made use of an Asylum for them at born — till or Hozetts until matters may be ripe — You have a number of savages now prisoners with you, let them be brought as far as Fort Pitt and let them be put under the immediate care of some skillful Doctor to inoculate with [undecipherable: probable reading "pox"] and when fit to go abroad Let him have instructions to enfist every individual article belonging to them and send them by the rout of Sandusky, the Rapids, Fort Jefferson, the Maumee, six nations Wabash, and the Isle of Bois which will effectually prevent the Saginaw and Mish-ill-imakinac Indians from coming to the assistance of those now already in your Frontiers — We have had accounts lately of three Men and a Woman being burned by the Saginaw and Maumee Savages which might have been stop'd if the least mention towards it had been made by those Barbarians — I should have sent Turner off some time ago if my Plans were not frustrated by M^r Hee who intimated to the Commandant that it was dangerous merely to gain time as he and his cursed crew only waited for the Ice to get good to go with Girty (a noted Villain) and a prisoner he has got who was at the party that buried the intrenching Tools with intent to dig them up and to secure the Bannon cannon which were hid on some part of the Field of Battle — Some time ago a Commission came up to try a Criminal and M^r M'Intosh was appointed one of the Judges I was obliged to administer the oath of allegiance to him I had some doubt whether he would not make some difficulty in taking it But upon my honour he swallowed it with as good a grace as you or I would a glass of Madeira — You must be very cautious how you let him or his Brother know any thing of our correspondence as Im very confident it would be of very dangerous consequence to me. Things have a very different aspect since I left this place I hope my endeavours may answer the desired effect I should be very happy to hear from you by the first opportunity I am Sir with the greatest esteem Your Most Obed^t Serv^t (anonymous) Major General Henry Knox, Secretary at War Philadelphia— Feb^y 2^d 1792 Copy— [a Copy] John Smith Major 5 Reg^t [Endorsed 41-4 Anonymous Letter 1] [On wrapper: Draft of an anonymous Letter to General Knox, with 3 relative Papers—]