Wednesday Morning Philadelphia, March 21, 1792. [strikethrough: Concerning [?] [?]] Sir, The manner in which I have been employed to effect the present visit of the Chiefs of the Five Nations [strikethrough: —] fast renders me peculiarly interested that their negotiations with them should conform with the [strikethrough: —] direct [strikethrough: —] object of the invitation. This object is indelibly imprinted on my mind; it having been the main [?] offered by me, to convince them of the real friendship of the United States. I felt interested in its accomplishment, because it [?] the good faith of the United States [strikethrough: [undecipherable]]. For, agreeably to my instruction, "I informed them how desirous you were that the Indians should have imparted to them the blessing of husbandry and the arts;" and I repeated to them your words: "that the United States will be true and faithful to their engagements." Having assured them of the assistance of the United States to introduce among them the knowledge of husbandry and a few other [strikethrough: [undecipherable]] importantly connected with it, I invited [strikethrough: [undecipherable]] the principal chiefs to come to Philadelphia, after the last Committee, with to negotiate the plan of the [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable]. The offer too, independently of its [strikethrough: [undecipherable]] object, might [strikethrough: [undecipherable]] [undecipherable] [undecipherable]. [strikethrough: [undecipherable]] They [strikethrough: always] coming. The destructive defeating [?] an enemy took place. This event [undecipherable] me [strikethrough: [undecipherable]] want their coming. — Good policy dictated a [undecipherable] in [undecipherable] station. — And that an [undecipherable] not seem to [undecipherable] [undecipherable] from fear or discouragement — I thought that [strikethrough: [undecipherable]] [strikethrough: [undecipherable]] should [strikethrough: [undecipherable]] [undecipherable] the renewal [undecipherable] the invitation should appear to proceed wholly from me. — [strikethrough: [undecipherable]] The [undecipherable] was [undecipherable] by [undecipherable] to General every object of their visit defeated. The [strikethrough: [undecipherable]] Secretary of war had asked me a single question on the subject, I should only have [strikethrough: [undecipherable]] [undecipherable] to him [undecipherable] this. This evening I chanced to hear [undecipherable] he is preparing a speech to be delivered to-morrow, in which [strikethrough: [undecipherable]] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] the disposition of the Western Indians, is [strikethrough: [undecipherable]] [undecipherable] the disposition of the Five Nations to become mediators, to be avoided. I have therefore thought it my duty, without loss of time, to submit them to open consideration. I have no time to appear in the matter, having nothing in view but to prevent a serious mischief. There is an additional reason for the caution here suggested, which I beg leave to mention. Last [undecipherable] Thursday, when the Indians [strikethrough: [undecipherable]] their formal answers to our invitation, they [strikethrough: [undecipherable]] stated [undecipherable] many [strikethrough: [undecipherable]] for their delay [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable]. [strikethrough: [undecipherable]] had [strikethrough: [undecipherable]] been the reason of deterring them. [undecipherable: Brant?] [undecipherable], who knows as much as white people know, told me, [undecipherable] [strikethrough: [undecipherable]] the invitation was not [undecipherable] the proper [undecipherable] [undecipherable] but believed it." — [undecipherable] that is, the [strikethrough: [undecipherable]] object of the invitation was merely ostensible; while the real object was kept out of sight. There is another reason, which I ought not to conceal. — Indians have been so often deceived by [strikethrough: [undecipherable]] white people, that White Man is, with many of them, just another name for a Liar. Really, the [undecipherable] am willing [strikethrough: [undecipherable]] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] to be subjected to this [undecipherable] this apprehension; [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] me, as "our Representative," and [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] as the promises of the [undecipherable: [undecipherable]] means [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] he means by the United States. I wish them to know that there are [strikethrough: [undecipherable]] some white men who are incapable of reasoning, General Knox. I wrote a message to be sent by M^r Kirkland. — General [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] that [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] the message to you, — and that [undecipherable] [undecipherable] approved [undecipherable] by you. In the message I reminded them of [strikethrough: [undecipherable]] [undecipherable] my former invitation to come to the Great Council fire of the United States, in order to [strikethrough: [undecipherable]] [undecipherable] the time and manner of introducing among them the knowledge of [strikethrough: [undecipherable]] farming — of Smith's & Carpenter's work — of spinning, weaving — and of reading and writing; these being the arts I had before expressly mentioned. I moreover added: "That I was impatient for their arrival, that they might receive strong proof, that the words I spoke to them were true — that they came from my heart — and that the United States are faithful to their engagements." The invitation was confined to this single object. Permit me, therefore, to express my opinion, — that until the entire arrangement relative to it be formed, to their satisfaction — no other object should be brought into view. But this being adjusted, — with full [undecipherable] proof of the candor — the truth — the justice [undecipherable] [strikethrough: [undecipherable]] of the United States exhibited to them — their [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] they will be convinced of that the United States are really their friends; and thus they may be led to entertain a belief, that we are heartily disposed to be the friends of the other tribes now in arms against us, and inspired with this belief — they may open to overtures to become mediators between us. But if the latter be proposed in the first instance — this natural order of things will be reversed; and, I fear, every I acknowledge, Sir, that my feelings have been excited: and if I have expressed myself in a little uncommon in addressing you, I trust you will ascribe it to the true cause — the interesting situation in which I stand. With great respect I am Sir, Your most hble & obed. Serv^t. T.P. The President of the United States. [Letter To / The President / [?] March 21, 1792. / [undecipherable] Timothy [?] Pickering [?]]