[Copy of a Letter from Major Hamtramck to the Secretary of War dated] Fort Knox March 31 1792. Sir The 29^th instant I received a Letter from P. Ex Wilkinson, who informs me of his appointment in the army and who directed me to send some agents to sell the belligerent tribes of Savages seated on the Wabash, Illinois River and on the South eastern borders of Lake Michigan which shall be done as speedily as possible. Since my last letter I had the honor of writing you, the Chiefs of Eel River and of the Wyea have been with me, their intention is to be at peace with the United States and to have for its basis certain articles of agreement which I have made with them and the only ones I could find to be convenient to their wishes. This negotiation having taken place previous to my receiving the orders of Gen^l Det. Wilkinson will I suppose be found sufficient without sending to them. However if it should be found necessary for them to go to Fort Washington, they soon can be informed of it. From Gen^l A. Wilkinson I expect to receive further instructions on that point. The Piankashaws being the only nation remaining on the Wabash who have not yet been with me have been prevented by the death of their King on his way to Fort Knox and the Nation having no Prince Royal to succeed to the Crown have been employed a considerable time in the election of a Monarch whenever that is done which will be in about a week, I expect to see them, when I — hopefully will have an opportunity of securing their friendship — Indeed I have very little doubt of their adopting the measures of the others. — All the Indians do not show a disposition to attend to what I found it necessary to guard against their joining those of the Miami who well no doubt give them very pressing invitations in the spring, this could not be done without some engagements on both sides which I have the honor to inclose. I hope they will be acceptable. I have done for the best and all that could be done. It is difficult for me to give you any assurances of their sincerity, if they are not it is from no other motive but to get back their prisoners, however it may be very easy after this to keep them in a pacific state and to prevent them from joining those who are hostile there can be effectually done acts of generosity towards them. — for your Government can not make them presents, they will go to the British where they will get them, and they will supply them amply. Quebec is the harbor, the Chief of Eel River is always with me, and who are neighbors to the Miamis, the British had given any presents to the Indians last summer, their manner was to carry them, the goods were in large bags like stacks of hay, also to get arms and ammunition added. We got every thing but for some I have done and if you permit me to tell it, I am sure that those lands belonged to you, you would have no occasion. I have been informed by some Indians that a number of the traders, a description which makes me believes in the persons towards the Illinois River trading with the Indians. Indeed I am sure some of them have been in this village and indeed even the Merchants and others I now in this village are — quantities of goods from that place and from Orleans which consequently has paid no duty to the United States. The Laws of the territory or the Laws of the United States have made no provisions to prevent this to the great detriment of those Merchants who buy their goods in the United States and cannot sell so cheap. But the worst evil of all is a number of villains in this village to keep the Indians continually drunk. There is so much difficulty and so many ways to force them out that not one of them has yet been punished since the civil government has taken place, and the most fatal consequences may be expected if it continues — for the Indians who will see in the petties, foreigners will find themselves so far unable to be in the spring and having no means to procure ammunition or other necessaries will go to War for plunder. The only perfectly way to prevent this it seems would be to prohibit all arduous, all goods to be brought into the place without permission from the commanding officer, and if only one man was to be made to sell a half jigger in his house, it could be a very strong thing to prevent the Indians from getting drunk — But this measure may possibly be contrary to the principles of a republican Government but it is not less necessary in this place in our present situation of affairs. Civil law is a admirable institution any where except on a frontier situated in the Indies of an Indian Country and in a time of War, was the civil authority took place. I was well acquainted with every thing that passed in the village notwithstanding any thing given to them, but now without my knowledge, few of them got drunk in comparison to what it is now. All persons and foreigners can go into the village, are originally report themselves, which means I received every intelligence — The — The Governor consists of the necessity of such regulations has by proclamation and made no orders provided for its countenance but I am sorry to say that no act of it that in execution neither is it in my favor at present to enforce it. All the information I could obtain from the Chiefs who were with me, was that all the Indians of the lake intended to go to War early in the spring and that the Delawares and Shawnees was to be assisted with provisions by Captain Brant the British agent for Indian affairs. They also informed me that the horses of last men lost on the 4^th of November last were left on the ground and that a large party of Indians endeavored to be at a small distance from the place to attack any party who should come to take them off, that the number of the Indians against us last action had been about fifteen hundred. That as I see there was about four years map from the Miami and in the nation of the Wabash and that the life of the Indians has been very formidable. Another circumstance which may not be a simple information is that the Indians of the lake sent a very particular account of it was late to Fort Washington last summer as well as their friends that they were the Chickasaw Indians who were on the battle in, those who told them that it was a pity for the Cherokees, the Senecas to be at war, and thus that they themselves had been a long time enemies against the White people but they at last found it impossible to live in peace, tell them, that their situation and the Chickasaws could see the Governor to go against them if it should be necessary, there was a chance once expected by the above two Indians who returned to their Nation, best taken with me carrying the cover with me. This affair seems also to the Senecas. There is a period — that it has reached the Miami and the Senecas formed would make peace with the United States if they had an opportunity. As it was necessary to permit some Merchants to go into the Indian Towns, I have made choice of a few who have entered into a bond of One thousand dollars and to whom I have given license for six months. On this head I expect to receive some directions from the Governor, to whom I have wrote on the subject — The getting of firewood for the Garrison has become very difficult we are obliged to go at so great a distance for it, that it keeps the Men in a constant fatigue, this together with some other inconveniences in large order by being so near the town would render it adviseable to move the Garrison further up the river. The Governor in my instructions directs me to try to obtain the consent of the Indians for the establishment of a Garrison at Delivan on the Wyea. I have not yet found matters sufficiently ripe to make the proposals, but I believe that one proposal would remove very effectually that might exist. Since my writing the above I have received a letter from Colonel Wilkinson who directs me to send a couple of Spies to the Miami, in order to let Colonel notice of the dispositions of the Indians. I have engaged two confidential Persons to go to set off immediately and to return some time in May. I have the honor to be &^c His Exsence Gov. Knox J. F. Hamtramck P.S. We have on hand for about six Months provisions, but the Indians who are coming may in the garrison consume some of it and it is on — derable —