[K] To Captain Alexander Trueman of the first United States Regiment. War department April 3. 1792. Sir Confiding in your judgment, and abilities, to execute the mission herein designated, I hereby request you, in the name of the President of the United States, to enter upon the duties thereof, with all possible dispatch. You will therefore, immediately, repair to Pittsburg. I have herewith given you, an order to Captain Hughes, to furnish you with an escort, and a boat, to transport you to Fort Washington. On your arrival at that place, you will disclose to Lieutenant Colonel Commandant, Wilkinson, the objects of your mission, and concert with him, the proper means of carrying it into execution. I have directed him in a letter herewith delivered you, to afford you all possible facility, in the pursuance of your orders. I have also herewith delivered you, a speech for the Western Indians, with which you will repair to the Miami village, accompanied by such Indians, men or women, or both, as shall be judged best by you, and lieutenant colonel commandant Wilkinson. This speech is also accompanied by a white belt. It will be of the highest importance, that you should have an interpreter, capable of fully explaining your ideas. You will observe, that the speech is designed to effect a peace with the hostile Indians, on the terms humanity and justice. Your language must all therefore be to the same effect. As the confederacy of Indians is supposed to be extensive, it will require time to bring your negotiations to a favorable issue. Your patience, your fortitude and your knowledge of the human character, will all be tested by the objects of your mission. It may be used on all occasions, and the issue will justify the assertion, that nothing is more desired, than to remove all causes of discontent, and to establish a peace upon a firm foundation. But that in order to bring about an event so pregnant with happiness to the Indians, they must instantly abstain from all further hostilities, recall their parties if they have any out, as we shall, and let every thing be settled amicably. If the chiefs of the hostile tribes be induced to repair here, it is conceived, the view of the population of the country, and the improvement of all sorts, will exhibit, to their minds, in strong the futility of their continuing the war. As a further inducement to repairing here, presents of cloathing and silver ornaments may be stipulated. The Creek Treaty, the treaty with the Cherokees, and the present manner, in which the deputation of the six nations, now in this City, are treated, may be cited as strong proofs of the pacific and liberal intentions of the general government. Impressed, verbally, as you have been, of the importance of a peace being concluded with the hostile Indians, little more need to be added. I shall only say, that it is an event, most devoutly desired, by the President of the United States, and the people generally. If you shall be the instrument of effecting it, much personal reputation and honor will be the result, besides which, I am authorized by the President of the United States, that your expences, while in the employment, shall be supported by the public, and that you shall be liberally rewarded in a pecuniary manner. It will be important that you take with you, some white, or other persons, to serve as messengers between you and the commanding officer, so that he may be informed, and through him, me, of your prospects from time to time. If you should succeed, you will, to accompany the the chiefs to this place, but if you should fail, you will join the army under the commanding officer, after stating in the most ample manner, the progress and result of your proceedings. Signed. Knox Sec^y of War. [Compared by [undecipherable] — W. D.]