[585] [W. Stepy 99] [Alex Macomb] [rec'd y.^o of [undecipherable] W. late the. Macomb.] New York July 14. 1790 [Alex: Macomb] Dear Sir I have rec'd your favor of the 12^th instant. M^r Stedman is now here — he left Detroit 5^th Nov.^r — as he will deliver you this, I do not detail to you any information he may have — I refer you to himself — He will give you a true account of all that can have come to his knowledge.— A Cayuga Indian who was in the action brought off all the Books & papers, and carried them to Durber, [undecipherable] shewing him at Niagara. It would afford me great pleasure to render you service in this or any other way — any intelligence that may come to me shall be immediately communicated to you — the only account I had I sent you through Col.^o Duer as soon as rec'd, it was dated Detroit Nov. 12 — which was as early as the fate of the action could be known there, the distance from that place to where the Battle was fought being about Two hundred & fifty miles. Endeavor to effect the surrender of the Posts now held by the British — these once in our possession indian affairs will be managed with more ease & certainty. — My own idea is that no treaty should be made with G.^t Britain unless she agreed to this — & I can see no reason for withholding them, for did all the fur trade come this way, which however it never can, it would all go to England, and all the Merchandize used in the fur trade are to be had only in that country, so that in a commercial light the Posts are of no service — to us the possession of them, particularly under the present circumstances, is a very great object — at the same time that it established the boundary of the United States, it would give us a compleat command over all the Indians; for all the numerous tribes are within our limits. — I cannot suppose it would be difficult to accommodate matters with the Indians notwithstanding all that has passed, for a general Id'a council for their interest; in order to assemble in great numbers they must come from very distant parts & their families in the mean are left to suffer, for you know they live but from day to day, and the absence of the man for any length of time leaves the women & children to want and distress. — Get the Posts, all will then go well — The Indians will then be convinced the necessity of making Peace, for they must then depend on you for their trade, and they cannot now live without our clothing & ammunition — Bows & arrows & their coats are out of fashion with them; they must have the Blanket & the Gun. I have requested my Brother to endeavor to find out the number of Indians in the action had with M^r Harmar & Gen.^l St Clair, and the number of Slain on their side — If he writes me on this subject you shall know his information. With M^r Macomb's compliments to M^rs Knox I give my affectionate respects — I pray you to use me if in any respect you think I can serve you; I sincerely wish an end to the indian disturbances, and do any thing in my power to effect it, but I see great difficulty in accomplishing it without the possession of the Posts. — Yr.^s very sincerely Alex Macomb