[No. 19. From Gen'l Knox. Sec'y of War.] War department September 24. 1793. Sir, I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your favor of the 14^th instant with its enclosures.— I hope the Six nations have gone forward to the hostile indians, in the numbers mentioned by the Cornplanter's interpreter— if so, most probably peace would be the effect— It is to be very much desired that the first messengers of the five nations, should not have been put to death, whom I take to be Captain Hendricks & his brother. If fifty thousand bushels of dry Corn be now laid up, as you have directed, it would appear to be sufficient until circumstances are further explained. if the war must go on which we shall know in the course of two months, we can then purchase as much more as shall be required. Your regular force, this winter will not probably exceed three thousand five hundred non-commissioned & privates. this may serve as a data from which to Estimate provisions— although it is highly judicious to form abundant magazines of provisions & forage; yet no small danger is incurred of damage & loss of various sorts by directing an excessive quantity without proper store houses. If however you should foresee any obstacles to purchasing hereafter the full quantity of forage we may require for an Early & vigorous Campaign the next year, it will perhaps be the safest method to give the orders now for an additional Quantity of twenty five thousand bushels, making in all Seventy five thousand bushels. In answer to your three interesting queries I say, as to the first, there is no certainty upon the subject, but the business at present rather has the aspect of being procrastinated beyond the time you mention.— Secondly, I believe the destination of your troops for the winter must be deferred, until the arrival of the President of the United States, which will not be until the 12^th of next month— But in the mean time you will order the Quarter Master to make vigorous preparation of materials to cover the troops as mentioned in my last.— Thirdly as to a desultory expedition at present, it does not appear adviseable, or consistent with good faith, until the determination of the Indians shall be known— perhaps an Expedition of that kind, might during the winter, or very Early in the Spring be undertaken with the most decisive good effect, under the cover of which you might push the advanced hosts of the Line to the battle Ground or to the Miami Village, provided the Indians have abandoned it, as all the information confirms.— I have given you my opinions on your three queries, reserving further communications on the general conduct to be pursued, until the President of the United States arrival and his orders being taken thereon.— As I wrote you in my last the hay was not forwarded to the first of September because the Paymaster was not present, and the Specific sum to be required not known, until an accurate Statement should be made— But a further sum will be furnished as soon as the Settlements can be made— The Secretary of the Treasury assures me there shall be no difficulty about the punctual Payments. You will observe in my last that Mr Britt was approved to adjust the pay abstracts of the companies in the absence of Mr Swan. But it is questionable whether there is any authority by the Law to appoint a deputy, although it will be practicable to make Mr Brite compensation for his trouble.— It is essential that the frontier Counties should be amply protected. Complaint has been made to the Governor on this head by the County Lieutenant of Westmoreland, a copy of which is enclosed. you will be pleased to direct such Stations, or find such Patroles as will afford all reasonable protection to the inhabitants, and banish any well founded [strikethrough: undecipherable] apprehensions from their minds. I have understood verbally, that Governor Blount has effected a Satisfactory conference at Nashville with the Chickasaws & Choctaws. and that a great number of the former were present, and that they had gone to their own homes. I expect early to receive the particulars, the purport of which shall be communicated to you.— I transmit herewith Sealed up, Evidence for the Judge advocate to the Court Martial, which you shall order to be assembled, for the trial of Ensign John Morgan on the charges of the late General St Clair — an authenticated copy of which, is also herein transmitted. I enclose you the copy of a letter written to me on the 10^th by the said Ensign Morgan, my answer— It is very probable I may receive the final directions of the President of the United States to order Mr Morgan on necessarily to repair to Pittsburgh when the Court is ordered it will be necessary it be a full one — Ensign Hyde has applied to me for the Office of Judge advocate. he has finished the Law and been admitted to the bar in Vermont. If upon conversing with him, you should judge him more suitable than any other person to act as Judge advocate until a regular appointment shall take place, you will please to appoint him accordingly— I believe that his knowledge & character would do him honor. As this young Gentleman possesses great zeal for the military profession he will in future be considered as transferred to the first Regiment. and you will please to order the same accordingly.— Lieutenant Melcher, whom I sent a considerable time ago, to muster & accelerate the companies which are to rendezvous at the Great Kenhawa writes me from Fincastle County in Virginia on the 5^th instant that those companies, or such of them as are raised, may be at Point Pleasant about the 25^th of the present month.— Not having accurate returns of any of them excepting Gibsons & Bowyers I am obliged to estimate them thus.— Thomas Lewis estimated full — 95 Alexander Gibsons 86 Certain d^o --- 95 Preston... Lockwood included taken from } a former letter of yours...--- 70 Captain Bowyers detachment Certain— 45 355 These I presume you will order to fort Washington as soon as they shall be Armed & Clothed.— I shall hope that Mr Melchers return will enable me to be more accurate by the next post— Captain Pierce of the artillery & Captain Eaton will march hence this Day with about one hundred and fifty two recruits, deserters included— they will