[Copy of a letter from General Knox to Captain Brant.] War Department, Philadelphia Feb^r 25^th 1792. Sir, Colonel Pickering who had some communications with the Bureaus, and other of the Six Nations during the last two years, was duly authorised to invite you to visit this City, in order to consult you upon the best means of civilizing and advancing the happiness of the Indians. Some information has been recently received from M^r Kirkland, intimating your disposition to form the visit, but Pickering to do it, upon the former invitation as not being sufficiently explicit. I now repeat to you this invitation, accompanied with a wish that you would repair to this City, which is the Seat of the General Government; and I assure you the President of the United States will be highly gratified by receiving and conversing with a Chief of such eminence as you are, on a subject so interesting and important to the human race. This invitation is given to you from the purest motives. The President of the United States is anxious of the truest disposition to promote, generally the welfare of the Indians and he flatters himself that proper occasions only are wanting to impress them with the truth of this assertion. He considers your mind more enlightened than theirs, and he has hopes that your heart is filled with a true desire to serve the essential interests of your Countrymen. The United States much against the inclination of the Government are engaged in hostilities with some of the Western Indians, We on our parts have entered into it with reluctance and consider it as a hors of necessity, not as it is disposed and industriously propagated by many, for the purpose of accumulating more land than has been taken by Treaty with the Indians, since the Peace with Great Britain. We are desirous of bringing it to a conclusion, not from any apprehension as to a favorable result, because by a comparision of forces, and resources, however troublesome a perseverance therein may be to us, it must be utter destruction to the hostile Indians, but we are desirous, for the sake of humanity of avoiding such a catastrophe. This is the main business which will be mentioned to you on the part of the United States, and it is an object worthy of the best cultivated head and heart. If you should enter into this Plan, M^r Kirkland has directions to concert with you the most satisfactory mode of your performing the journey. The nature of the case will shew the necessity of your coming without delay, if you incline to accept the Invitation. I am, Sir, with esteem your most Obedient humble servant. (Signed) Knox Secretary for the Department of War & Indian Affairs. a true Copy (Signed) N. Gordon Captain Sayga Brant. A.C.