[N^o. 30. From Maj Gen Knox —] War department December 7, 1792 Sir, I have received your favor of the 29^th ultimo from Legion Ville which places I hope both the troops & the public may hereafter recollect with great satisfaction as the school of discipline of the American Legion. — I now transmit you the result of the overtures to the hostile Indians in a letter from Israel Chapin Jun.^r and from the Chiefs of the Six nations at Buffalo Creek on the 12^th ultimo. Those papers have been laid before the two houses of Congress by a special message and are transmit- ted to you in confidence. — it is unnecessary to comment. I presume however the Commissioners will be appointed to meet the proposed Council at Aujlaise — The public voice demands it, and is it shall then appear upon a fair experiment that Peace is unattainable, but but be a sacrifice of national character and national Justice, it is presumed that public opinion will support the war in a more vigorous manner than at present, until it shall be successfully terminated. — It will hereafter be still more and more necessary even than the past summer that no offen- sive operations be undertaken against the Indians northwest of the Ohio — But while this is the case it will be essential that the troops observe the highest, degree of military vigilance in all respects. — I may so happen that unarmed and perhaps friendly disposed Indians, particularly of the Wyandots and Delawares may visit your Camp, posts. — In such cases, at the same time — that a watchful eye shall be kept over their conduct they ought to be treated with frankness & kindness. — It would really seem by the tenor of the Contractors letter to you of the 19^th that they somehow con- sider the state fed beef, flour, Whiskey &c at the public risque. this cannot be the case, unless captured by the Enemy. they must be responsible for the safe keeping of their own Cattle and other provisions. In order to prevent repetitions, I beg leave to refer you to my letter of the 20^th ultimo upon this subject, and I also enclose you a copy of the Contract with the Secretary of the Treasury, for the year 1793, entered into the 13^th of October 1792. — I enclose you in my last of the first — a copy of the Contractors letter to me dated at Pittsburgh the 19^th ultimo relative to store houses for the reception of provisions; and renewing the road better from Fort Washington to Fort Jefferson. — It seems reasonable that the public should furnish the store houses at the Military Posts where rations are issued. But it cannot follow that the public are to find them magazines or store houses at a distance from the Military posts where the convenience of the Contractor should require. — of the road mentioned, you will be the judge and give such directions as you may think proper — Two