Do Not Be Misled By Indian Overtures of Peace; Support for Legion That it May Conquer
Document 1792Wayne tells Knox not to be misled by rumors of peace with the Indians. He must do everything in his power to ensure that the Legion is well-manned, well-supplied and well-armed so as to conquer the Indians in the Spring 1793 campaign.
No. 35. To Major Genl Knox Secy of war. -
Legion Ville 13 Dec.r 1792 Sir, I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 18 instant; which I received on sunday morning. - The enclosed copies of letters came to hand by express from Fort Washington yesterday: its probable that you are in possession of the originals before before this period, as Genl Wilkinson mentions aspecial messenger by the way of Kentucky, charged with highly confidential dispatches, that he would not risk by the route these came. - I also enclose you a copy of a letter from Capt Hughes of the 8th instant, at which time not a syllable of the terms upon which we were to have Peace, had been communicated by the Corn Planter - on the contrary, “he is on good hunting ground; & cannot leave it.” - however the affair of the 6th. [undecipherable] under the muzzles of the guns of Fort St. Clair; together with the enclosed copy of the deposition of W"m Smally will better elucidate & explain the temper & disposition of the Indians than anything the Corn planter can say. - Be not therefore any longer amused or deceived with ideal hopes of an honorable or lasting peace, with a triumphant, unsulting savage Enemy:- let every exertion be made to compleat the Legion: add to the soldiers ration: let us be in condition to take the field in force in the spring, and I will venture to pledge myself at the next general interview to produce a sanguinary conviction to the minds of those hostile Indians of our superiortiy in the field. - I have the honor to be with due esteem your most obedt & very huml Servant Ant.y Wayne the Hon.l Major Genl Knox Sec.y of War.-
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