[N°. 21. To Major Gen^l Knox, Sec'y of war] Pittsburgh 28^th Sept^r 1792. Sir, I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of yours of the 21^st instant with the enclosures. As to the complaint of the Lieutenant of Westmoreland, I shall only observe, that if all the troops belonging to the U.S. were stationed upon the frontiers of that County — they would not be deemed sufficient, unless there was an addition of Militia supported at publick charge, & [underline: detached as usual,] two or three to each house, to assist the farmer in harvesting, seeding &c. — I have observed a different conduct — i.e. by keeping out a strong patrole, [underline: superior to insult] constantly passing between this Post & fort Franklin, on the North side of the Alleghany: which I assured Col^t Campbell I would do, at the time I refused my assent to calling out the militia. — And there is at this moment a numerous detachment out, with orders to chastise any hostile Indians that may be found lurking on our borders. — which affords a much better security to the frontiers of that County, than all the Militia in the western Country, [underline: stationed as they have hitherto been.] nor have they lost a single life, or sustained an iota of injury from indian depredations since I have been upon this ground. — surely then, this complaint is idle and premature. — I have advanced a post half way between fort Franklin & Presq'isle and have a strong Garrison at Big Beaver which with the Patroles beforementioned, I have hitherto deemed & found to be an effectual security to Westmoreland, Alleghany & washington Counties — however I will fix a stationary Post halfway with orders to keep Patroles both to this place & fort Franklin: so that no party of Indians can well pass undiscovered subject themselves to be struck by the parties & posts in their rear, should they attempt to cross the Alleghany. Due attention will be paid to the other subjects contained in your letter — Enclosed are extracts from General Orders with the original letter of resignation wrote by M^r Cochran — M^r De Butts has endeavoured to take a copy — M^r Davidson is no longer an officer as you'll have seen by my letter of the 21^st instant. I have appointed Lieu^t Staats Morris — Deputy Judge advocate General pro. tem. his care, attention & abilities gives him a claim to that appointment. Cap^tn Edward Butler is appointed Deputy Adjutant & Inspector General pro. tem. — Enclosed is a morning report of our force — (the Garrison not included) also a copy of a letter from Captain Stake dated by mistake the 29^th Sept^r I am informed that Cap^t Stake has taken some umbrage at Major Rudolph's interference with the discipline of his Troop — if upon reflection, he should persist in his intention to resign, I will most certainly indulge him.