[XXXII - 161] [3059 k] Col. Winthrop Sargent Cincinnat^a October 29^th 1792 [Private] My dear Sir Captain may atte will [Can] hand you a Letter of Introduction — he has been commissioned by me in this Country not only from the recommendation of the Governor and the high Confidence placed in him apparently (which can be evinced to you by the Copy of Instructions respecting in the Letter which he bears) but, what I deemed proper Policy — for if he is not for us he will be decidedly against us — and his Influence is very considerable amongst the Indians not only upon the Delaware there with the Kicka- poos and I believe also with many other hostile Tribes — he is a worse Duing fellow and has obtained and maintained his Consequence by the "Estimated natio" — at divers times and places he has [undecipherable] them; put down in con- tracts for sovereignty by the tawney lords of this Country, and I am confident they stand most in Awe of him — The British and Spaniards I have no Doubt to would have him at a considerable price and but for the flattering Distinctions we have paid him he probably would have struck up a Bargain — He has I hear, [undecipherable] to you a Commission and I understand some Idea that pay is [undecipherable] to be annexed to it and probably Governt. might find it for their Interest so to establish the matter. La There is a very sad Day also living upon the Delaware at an important Period esp- elly [undecipherable] more mischief but has lived from creating much Complaints since the Governor was upon the Mississippi — He appears to me that it would be good Policy to Purchase him too — of the other Indians I know nothing "Passing" excepted — he [undecipherable] of his [undecipherable] but I think they can only be hunted up in other worlds for I do not imagine a dozen. There are to be met in this — I have nothing [undecipherable] consequence a Influence — and he is more serious [undecipherable] a rascal every [undecipherable] an Indian and [undecipherable] — knowing these [undecipherable] these Characters I thought it in- cumbent on me Officially & Confidentially to mention it to you for they are not my very good Friends — I dare not presume to say any thing upon the Indian Treaty even in a private Letter for public Servants are to be silent upon public measures — my Friend M^r [undecipherable] [undecipherable] I believe rendered every Service he could upon the Occasion and as I am informed [undecipherable] been the Treaty maker — My Opinions, on no means Op- inions since I am persuaded every help or Influence unless supported by much & good Authority, be it in Con- fidence I shall venture to believe, that from the Knowledge which you may acquire of this Busi- ness you will be induced to think [undecipherable] better calculated for all other Lessons than In- dian Treaty making — you will not condemn me for thus expressing myself to you — it is to you alone and I have a very great Respect for those Talents which he professes — If Governor St Clair is in Philadelphia I [undecipherable] his views that I have expressed myself to you respecting the Indians because he knows them as well as may atte — as he might not be there I wished my dear [undecipherable] to impart to you as I know of them — I am my Dear Sir with much Attachment very respectfully & affectionately yours [undecipherable]