N^o 45.— To Major Gen.^l Knox Sec.^y of War.— Legion Ville 16^th Feb.^y 1793.— Sir, I have the honor to enclose you the deposition of a M.^r Jos. E. Collins; which together with the official original papers given under the hand and [underline: Seal at Arms] of, and by the British Lieut. Governor of upper Canada appears to me of so much consequence and so well authenticated that I have thought it my indispensible duty to forward them by a special & trusty messenger; so as to be in time if necessary to communicate to the Senate previously to the rising of Congress.— M^r Collins appears to be a man of observation & address.— he was bred to the [underline: Sea] and has commanded several merchant vessels— and was most certainly equal to the arduous and hazardous business he undertook to accomplish. I have passed my word for the safe re-delivery of his official or original papers; which I pray you to return as soon as convenient.— he obtained them under the strongest injunctions of secrecy except to the people of Kentucky & to other confidential people in the British interest or to British agents or officers to whom it might be necessary to shew them. He will continue at this place; until I hear from you.— and if its thought necessary— he shall accompany Col. Procter to Philadelphia; where he will confirm viva voce what he has here sign'd and sworn to: and which I verily believe to be the truth.— I beg leave to suggest, whether it would not be good policy to engage both M^r Rosecrantz and this man in our interest by some solid marks of favor?— I have already given each of them pecuniary rewards— but in addition to this— suppose they had the appointment of Ensigns.— Rosecrantz has frequently mentioned that such an appointment would be very accep-table; and M^r Collins I believe expects something of that kind in addition to the pecuniary reward promised him: in fact, I believe that his expences &ca. has nearly swallowed up his fifty Dollars p^r Month.— M^r Rosecrantz has probably returned to the Corn Planter's town— should that Chief ultimately decline to come forward; will it be proper or necessary for Col.^o Procter to go to him under present circumstances?— I am Sir with true esteem your m^o. obed.^t hum.^t Servant Wayne The Hon.^ble Maj. Gen. H. Knox, & Sec.^y of war