further, than that it is my decided opinion — we shall not have a peace, until the Savages are compelled to it in the field; unless you agree to such a line, as shall totally exclude you from the waters of the Lakes: and you'll find strenuous advocates for such a boundary even in C——s. I could enlarge much upon this subject & perhaps point out the [underline: true] reason why the Posts on the Lakes have not been delivered up agreeably to treaty: however, this may be more proper at another period to which I shall defer it and am Sir, with sincere esteem your most obed^t I very hum^d. Serv^t Ant: Wayne The Hon^ble Major Gen^l Knox Sec^y of war. No. 231 To Gen^l Knox Sec^y of war. Pittsburgh 5. Oct^r 1792. Sir, I have the honor to acknowledge yours of the 28^th ultimo with the enclosures and will pay due attention to those matters you have recommended. That which respects the ascertaining the probable force of the Enemy we may eventually have to contend with, has in a great measure been anticipated many weeks since and expect every hour interesting intelligence upon that head. — I shall however continue to reiterate those inquiries by every means in my power, so as to reduce it to as great a certainty as circumstances will possibly admit of, from a conviction of the policy, as well as the necessity of the measure. Enclosed is the monthly return for Sept^r of all the detachments belonging to the Legion & Sublegion now at this place, together with a copy of Capt. Porter's report of the defects of three of the Howitz, which appear to be of a bad composition, but they will speak for themselves. I have directed them to be sent to Philadelphia by a return waggon. we have discovered some other defects, which have or will be remedied here without much expense or difficulty. I hope we shall now be able to go on with the muster & inspection of the troops; but we will be under the necessity of discharging many of the men, who never were — nor never will be fit for service; they are at present annoyance to the Legion, and a useless expense to the publick. The following Vacancies have taken place in the Legion viz: Lieut. Wm. Davidson of the 1^st Troop & 1^st Sublegion on the 18^th Sept. Lieut. Sam^l Cochran of the 3^d Sublegion of Infantry on the 25^th of the same month. Ensign John Paine of the 3^d Sublegion on the 4^th instant — those Gentlemen could not be spared, without any possible injury to the service. But another resignation has also taken place which I wished to prevent — Captain John Stake of the Troop of Dragoons of the 2^nd Sublegion — enclosed are copies of his letter & my answer on the subject. There are two other Gentlemen in arrest — who probably will be compelled to leave the service: one by Major Bevinger — the other by Major Rudolph upon charges of a very criminal nature. Neither Davidson, Cochran or Paine have vouchers or means to settle their accounts — all be ordered — M^r. Jones & M^r. Dunn have undergone a satisfactory probation and will be mentioned as ferriets in General Orders by permission of the President of the U.S. as there will be another vacancy in the Dragoons, Major Rudulph is very anxious for a Sejeant [strikethrough: W] Daniel Terry to get it; he appears to be a very genteel, sober, active, non commissioned Officer, and said to be an exact disciplinarian useful to the Dragoon force. there is also a M^r. W. Lane, acting as a volunteer & ready upon all occasions, who is an excellent clerk & strongly recommended to me by letters from a number of the most respectable characters in York County — he is a native of that place & has the appearance of manners of a Gentleman — I will make the necessary enquiries concerning Serj^t. Richardson; and you may rest assured I will carefully guard against improper appointments or recommendations — we shall have some difficulties before we can purge the Legion of characters who never were fit for officers. I have the honor to be with true esteem your most obed^t I very hum^d. Serv^t Ant: Wayne The Hon^ble Major Gen^l Knox Sec^y. of war. To Mess^rs. Elliot & Williams. Head Quarters Pittsburgh 8^th Oct^r 1792. Mess^rs Elliot & Williams. Gentlemen, You as Contractors for supplying the western Posts, are to make immediate & effectual provision for Thirty five hundred daily issues of compleat rations until the 15^th of April 1793, after which period that number will eventually be nearly doubled; exclusively of six hundred and Eighteen thousand, seven hundred rations of good & wholsome provision always in advance — the meat kind to be well & carefully salted & cured, and the whole properly housed & stored in the following proportions & deposits. viz. 1^st at Fort Washington 360 [undecipherable] in advance 65700 2^d at Fort Hamilton 280 daily issues in advance 36 500 3^d at fort St Clair 200 daily issues in advance 36 500 4^th at Fort Jefferson 350 daily issues in advance 250 000 5^th Fort Knox [undecipherable] 10 daily issues in advance 19227 6^th at Fort Steuben 31 daily issues in advance 9308 7^th at Gallipolis 40 daily issues in advance 1300 8^th at Marietta 70 daily issues in advance 12775 9^th at Belpré &c. 12 daily issues in advance 2190 10^th at Fort Franklin 12 daily issues in advance 21 900 11^th at Big Beaver [undecipherable] 10 daily issues in advance 300 12^th abor near Pittsburgh 1950 daily issues in advance 100 000 Total 3500 daily issues in advance 618 700 It is not yet determined by the President of the United States where or at what post or place the troops abor near Pittsburgh shall be stationed for the winter: but should they eventually be ordered to descend the Ohio to Fort Washington, in that case they will afford an effectual protection for the provision nearest to be distributed at or near this place i.e. daily issues until the 15^th of April next for nineteen hundred and fifty rations and on a advance one hundred thousand compleat rations — all of which must be ready to descend the Ohio with them. The reason for curing provision being far advanced, you have not one moment to lose in making the necessary arrangements: the General interest of the United States of America, the success of the ensuing Campaign, and your own interest & reputation, depends upon your faithful and punctual compliance with these orders & instructions, which must be obeyed. I am Gentlemen your most obed^t hum^d. Serv^t Ant: Wayne Major Gen^l & Commander in Chief of the Legion of the United States. Mess^rs. Elliot & Williams. N^o 9. To Gen^l Wilkinson. Head Quarters Pittsburgh 9^th Oct^r 1792 Sir, I wrote you on the 31. of July, 3. and 7^th of August by Ensign Hunter, [undecipherable] a letter from him of the 1^st ultimo. I was happy to find had arrived safe. — I have been duly honored with your several letters of the 23^d & 26^th of July and 19^th of August with enclosures; but have never had an opportunity of acknowledging them until this period, having waited with extreme anxiety for the rising of the waters which yet continue lower than ever known in the memory of the oldest inhabitants. Every thing is in perfect readiness to furnish you with a compleat & full supply of clothing & tea, for the troops under your immediate command, which will be escorted by Major Michael Rudulph, at the head of two hundred Dragoons — three hundred rifle men & forty Infantry. the moment that the water will float the boats. Enclosed are extracts from Gen^l orders for the arrangement of the officers of the four SubLegions of the army of the United States, and the principles [strikethrough: that] that are to govern respecting rank; also the distinctive marks of those SubLegions; likewise for the regulation of Forage, Stationary &c and for making out muster & pay rolls. I have now to call your particular attention to the enclosed copy of a letter of instructions to the Contractors, Mess^rs Elliot and Williams of the 8^th inst^r to make immediate arrangements for the daily issues & deposits in advance at the posts & places therein mentioned: you will therefore please to augment the respective Garrisons from Fort Washington to Fort Jefferson inclusive, agreeably to the numbers therein specified, upon the arrival of Major Rudulph's detachments; which may be estimated (allowing for casualties) to at least five hundred men, which I trust under your direction & orders will afford sufficient convoys for the provision &ca. to the head of the Line — the deposits thus diversified will secure a supply of provision; in case of accident in any quarter or post — our most great object is to protect the Hay at Fort Hamilton — & Jefferson (if any has been made at the latter place) this will require a double row of pickets — so as to keep the savages out of reach of [undecipherable] of a fire arrow — therefore may require more than 200 men at Fort Hamilton — however you will be the best judge of this business — & you may rest assured that the Enemy will make it an object. I expect every moment interesting intelligence from the Grand council of Indians at the rapids of the Miame of the Lake, where I have some confidential emissaries from whom I expect to learn the real views and intentions of the Savages, together with the numbers & names of the Confederate tribes with whom we have to contend. can any thing be done in this business by way of the Wabash? money shall not be wanting within reasonable bounds to obtain a true knowledge of the real views, numbers & situation of our enemy. I have received intelligence by different routes, which make their numbers from three to five thousand — but the final result of the Grand council may cause a very material difference. I shall however write you more fully & confidentially by Major Rudulph than I dare venture by this precarious conveyance which is the best that present circumstances will afford. I am Sir, with the most perfect esteem & regard your most obed^t & very hum^d. Serv^t Ant: Wayne The Hon^ble Brig. Gen^l James Wilkinson