[3^d Aug^t 1792 / from / the Secy of War / N° 10/] N°.10. War department August 3. 1792 Sir, I have received your favor of the 28 ultimo dated at 9 o'clock A.M. — In this you refer for intelligence to a letter written the day before which I have not received — The letter you mention as inclosed for D. Smith was not received. I am glad to have so good accounts as you give of Gibbons Custons and Springers companies — In order that there should be neither difficulty or delay in marching Gibbons, Custons, Thomas Sevier and Howell Sevier's recruits, and the recruits under the immediate direction of Captain Henry Royeger of the Cavalry, I have sent Lieutenant Melcher from this [City?] to muster, inspect, accelerate and pay the men one Months pay and three Months pay for the officers of the said companies — They will rendezvous at Queen Briar burnt House and thence proceed to Point Pleasant, to the mouth of the great Kenhawa under the 6 front of Gibbons company which I have reason to believe is complete as to its numbers and which has had [sent?] to it, Arms, Accoutrements Clothing tents &c Bouyers Recruits will also be completely clothed and furnished with tents and camp equipage — An Invoice of Clothing for Custons, Thomas Sevier and Howell Sevier companies is enclosed and the clothing will probably be at Pittsburgh in ten days after you receive this letter — Over besides the trifles and equipments thereto belonging and tents for the said three companies which Major Craig must forward he must also send three hundred Canteens, three hundred Knapsacks and three hundred pairs of Shoes. That half of Flattons company under Dacharros and [undecipherable] must be deducted by Major Craig from the quantity for Flattons company. I have also sent an invoice of six hundred and sixty suits of clothing for the first Regiment, but Blankets and shoes are wanting to complete them — These articles will be immediately forwarded — the contractors have been [pushed?] accordingly to find suitable Blankets, and the shoes have been manufactured at Morristown in Jersey and with the blankets have been detained by contrary winds. I have also enclosed an Invoice of two hundred and sixteen suits of Rifle clothing, Hats and blankets excepted which are also on the road — these are together with the two hundred suits before forwarded to Pittsburg for clothing the companies raised in the upper parts of this State and in— Ohio County, two hundred suits more will soon be in motion. The clothing for the late Second Regiment on the Ohio is nearly [packed?] and will soon be on its way to Pittsburg All the saddles and cavalry equipments of every sort which have been or shall be forwarded to Pittsburg for Dragoon, Rangers and [Wintens?] to Pittsburgh which are to be mounted at Fort Washington will within be delivered to such parts of the said troops as may arrive at Pittsburg or they will be forwarded altogether to Fort Washington under the care of the garrison troops as you shall judge proper — Perhaps they should be all put in the possession of Major Rudolph who will be responsible for the proper delivery of them. I transmit you a copy of the instructions and regulations from the Comptroller to the Paymaster with the Army — the original was forwarded by the last post to the Paymaster — I submit to you the idea whether it may not be proper for you to direct immediately the troops [stationed?] on the upper parts of the Ohio to do those things required in the instructions and forms. The directory parts of the instructions designed to produce an uniformity in the returns and forms prescribed should be as general as possible, promulgate [among?] the Officers and perhaps through the medium of general orders, but care should be taken to distinguish between directions to the Paymaster and directory and forms for the Officers and not to publish the forms H It is to be regretted that the Pay Master is not with you as it would be his duty to point out what should be published and what should be retained. I also transmit you certain regulations prescribed for the orderly receiving, distributing, and accounting for all public property designed for the army — I pray for your attentive consideration thereof and after any alterations or additions you judge necessary for the public interests you will please to publish the same in orders and from time to time enforce the observance thereof. If experience should point out any difficulties or changes I shall be obliged by a communication thereof. And I also enclose certain regulations relatively to forage proper work. The observance of a proper economy of public property is an important principle of discipline — every particle of public property should be accounted for by some person. I flatter myself that your command will be distinguished by the highest degree of discipline in all parts of the troops and in the highest attention to the public property. In the first instance irregularities will be practised and waste [must?] by the carelessness of raw recruits — but I hope the regularity of payments, clothing and other public promises will be such as will afford you the best possible plea for enforcing a perfection of duty from the troops. H It is with deep regret I transmit you the enclosed paper marked A, the purport of which I received from M^r. Robert Morris on the 31 Ultimo. The number of persons with Major Trueman — the time — and the other circumstances would seem to render the account but too credible. But on the other hand, there has been a gentleman in this town within a day or two past, but whom I did not see, who says he left Fort Washington after the return of General St. Clair's son, which must have been after the 28 of June, who says the accounts from the Indian Country were favorable by the return of some of the information via the Wabash — I hope and for the information of Trueman be not true — I have not divulged this report here and I request you would keep it to yourself for the present. Since writing the foregoing I have received your favours of the 27 instant. I am persuaded that your arrangements of Service is formed on just principles. I am glad to learn that Captain Hendricks had proceeded Westward. I sincerely hope the others will also go. But they are so slow and dilatory as to exhaust all patience. I believe Captain Knox will be at the Council at Au Glaize by the 28 of the present month at furthest. General Israel Chapin is the Deputy Agent to the Six Nations. I believe that no attempts ought to be made to retain the Indians contrary to his request — Wellborn planter's judgment ought to be conclusive on this Head — the sincerity of whose attachment cannot be doubted — but he has been too open in his powers to be well received at the Council of the hostile Indians indeed the attempt would be dangerous to him. The letters communicated by you in confidence relative to the State troops shall be retained — the opinion of the person you mention is indeed extraordinary. I should be glad was it practicable to receive Major St. Clair and his troops on the establishment — I have an high opinion of his worth and [conduct?] at the time the arrangements were making that he could not be appointed — The State troops Major Clarke and Major Butler who were of the times the last year and whose services merited a reappointment. * I wrote you last post relative to the Uchee [Indians?] — I am inclin[ed?] to the opinion they ought not to be retained — the reason will be too far advanced to have particular action of them. I am charmed at the idea of the commencement of discipline — The proof of the powder shall be sent you, it cannot be better — and I hope you will find the grain sufficiently fine — I am unwilling to put the public to the expence of other powder not better in its quality, than that which is on hand — at the same time I am desirous of complying with your wishes — when you receive the sample sent by the last post I will take the necessary measures on receiving your communications. I have complained to the Post Master General of the cider I requested him to provide another. We have no essential information about Recruits since my last; I have written to all the recruiting Officers urging them in the highest degree to complete their complements. Two of Ashtons deserters have been taken this day — indeed there are five apprehended and in Gaol — I will give the list you have sent to the Constables who for the sake of the reward like to hunt deserters — By the time of Eatons company arriving from Vermont, I expect at least twenty deserters will be apprehended — Major Butler has secured several at Carlisle. The Sixteen legionary howitzers were forwarded on the 17 Ultimo — there has been a defect in the contractor for the Shells which will soon be remedied — Three pound Balls will suit them. Three chests of medicines have also been forwarded for the troops on the upper part of the Ohio — the Invoices will be transmitted the next post — I have the honor to be with great esteem your most obd: Servant H Knox Secy War [Maj: Gen^l Wayne.]