To Captain Alexander Trueman of the First United States Regiment. War Department April 3^d 1792. Sir, Confiding in your judgment and abilities to execute the mission herein designated, I do 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 [undecipherable] Colonel Commandant Wilkinson, the object 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 pursuance of your order. I have herewith also delivered you a Speech for the Western Indians, with which— You will repair to the Miami Village, accompanied by such [undecipherable] as [undecipherable], or both, as shall be judged best by you, and [undecipherable] 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 advise that the Speech is designed to effect a Peace with the hostile Indians on the terms of humanity and justice. Such 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 favourable issue. Your patience, your fortitude, and your knowledge of the American Character, will all be tested by the objects of your Mission. It may be said, on all occasions and the issue will justify the assertion, that nothing is more desirable than to remove all causes of discontent and to establish a peace upon a firm foundation. But that it is [undecipherable] to bring about the event, fraught with happiness to the Indians, they must mutually abstain from all further hostilities; recall their parties, if they have any out, as we shall do, and let every thing be settled amicably. If the Chiefs of the hostile Tribes can be induced to [undecipherable: repair?] here, it is conceived, the view of the [undecipherable] of the Country, and the improvements of all kinds, will exhibit to their minds, so strong and forcibly the futility of their continuing the war, as a further inducement to [undecipherable: repairing?] here, presents of Clothing and Silver Ornaments may be stipulated. The Creek Treaty, the Treaty with the Cherokees, and the present measures in which the depredations of the Six Nations now in this State, are treated may be cited as strong proofs of the pacific and liberal intentions of the General Government. [Undecipherable: Impressed?], chiefly as you have been of the importance of a peace being concluded with the hostile Indians, [undecipherable: little?] more need to be added, I shall only say, that it is ardently, most sincerely desired, by the President of the United States, and the People generally. [If] you should 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 Expenses, 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, & through him, me, of your prospects, from time to time. If you should succeed, you will please to accompany the Chiefs to this place, but if you should fail, you will join the Army under the Commanding Officer, after stating in the most [undecipherable] manner the progress [undecipherable] of your proceedings. Yours — H Knox [marginalia: Endorsed by [undecipherable] [date]; Transmitted by [undecipherable] [date]]