[docket notation, upper right: [undecipherable] Win— [undecipherable]] [docket notation, lower right: [undecipherable] from Knox [undecipherable] the of Mos— [undecipherable]] War Department, July 19 1792 Sir I have the honor to congratulate you upon the organization of the government of Kentucky and upon your elevation to the office of Chief Magistrate. I embrace by order of the President of the United States, this early occasion to assure you, that he shall hold the protection of Kentucky against the depredations of the Indians as a primary object of his attention. That very considerable levies have been made of troops for three years in order to be in a situation by the force of discipline and good order, to take all measures which shall be deemed proper and necessary — That an Indian War however is considered by the great mass of the citizens of the United States as an event, to be avoided if possible. That this disposition, combined with principles of just policy have induced the attempt to explain to the Indians the moderate and humane views of the United States, in order that such explanations may lead to the conclusion of a peace upon proper terms, That as it is probable these negotiations may occupy a considerable portion of time, the President of the United States requests that you would be pleased to issue the most peremptory orders, that no in roads by the Militia of Kentucky be made into the Indian Country until the effects of a pacific overtures be known. That it is however to be explicitly understood, that this restriction is not to extend to any depredatory parties of Indians, whom it is to be desired, may be punished in an exemplary manner, The President of the United States expresses his confidence that in case the pacific offers should fail of producing the desired effect, and it should result that force is to decide the contest, that you and the State of Kentucky will exhibit, a lively zeal in co-operating with the army in the manner which may be regulated by the Commanding General, agreeably to the law of the United States. The commanding Officer of the troops of the United States at Fort Washington had orders in March last to make an effective arrangement for the defensive protection of Kentucky, by calling into Service at the expence of the United States, such scouts or rangers as should upon consultation with Brigadier General Scott be considered as necessary. Information has accordingly been received that certain Scouts have been ordered into Service, but no rangers. If it should be your judgment that small parties of rangers should be added to the Scouts to make the defensive protection more perfect, you are hereby authorized to do so at the expence of the Union, and upon the pay and rations established for the troops, In this case it will be necessary that such parties of rangers should be mustered, upon Oath, at the commencement and termination of their service, and that triplicate copies of these musters should be made out, one to be retained by the officer commanding the party, one to be transmitted to this Office and one to the Paymaster of the troops at Fort Washington. That upon these rolls being examined and approved, by the Paymaster, Pay abstracts will be formed and certified [undecipherable] who will issue his orders upon the said Paymaster for payment.— I have the honor to be Sir [undecipherable] [undecipherable] Secretary of [War] Governor of the State of Kentucky