[Letter from Gen Knox Oct. 9. 1792] War department October 9. 1792 Sir I have this day received a letter by express from Governor Blount dated at Knoxville on the 11 Ultimo. He states that the five lower Towns on the Tennejee, headed by John Watts, have formally declared war against the United States and that the Warriors had set out upon some expedition against the frontier, probably against the Cumberland Settlements. The numbers of the Warriors who had so set out, are stated variously from three to six hundred, including one hundred Banditti Creeks. Governor Blount had ordered one Regiment of the Militia of Washington district into service, and had also dispatched an express to Miro district on Cumberland River, with orders to Brigadier General Robertson to put his brigade into the best possible state of defence. Although the details transmitted do not admit of the least doubt of the authenticity of the information as to the disposition of the five lower Towns, yet as the express has been so long on the road and no further information having been received, some hopes may be entertained that there has not been any sudden or successful stroke on the part of the Indians It is observed by Governor Blount that the Cherokees have not complained to him in a single instance of the infraction of the treaty of Holstien — That the little Turkey and the greater part of the Nation have been given the strongest assurances of their attachment to the United States and their desire for peace. Governor Blount has long been invested with ample discretionary powers to call into service such portions of the Militia of his government, as he should judge necessary for its defensive protection. The nearness of the time at which Congress is to meet, who only are invested with the powers of War, will render it essential to wait the result of their deliberations, before offensive measures can be directed; supposing the information transmitted by Governor Blount to be authentic. In the mean time your Excellency will be the judge whether any further measures should be necessary for the defence of the South western parts of Virginia at the expence of the Union, of the nature, and addition to those before taken. I have the honor to be with great esteem Your Excellency's most obed^t Servant [signed] H Knox His Excellency Governor Lee