[Copy] Message to the Chickajaws. April 27^th 1793. Copy. To the Chiefs and Warriors of the Chickajaw Nation of Indians— Brethren, Your Father General Washington, the President of the United States, has understood through Governor Blount, that you are greatly in want of arms and ammunition, and corn; and therefore, he has taken, the earliest opportu- nity of proving to you, his friendship, and the desire of being serviceable to you— It is his earnest desire to have peace with all the Indian tribes and he recommends the same measure to you— Nothing but the most dreadful necessity can justify a state of war. Such necessity however, sometimes exists— but peace is always to be sought for with the great- est anxiety upon the first opportunity— The United States has endeavoured to persuade the hostile Indians to a peace, from motives of kindness to them, and not from any ap- prehensions as to the final issue of the war. On these grounds a treaty with the Indians south of the river was held at Hopewell in a short time. If they listen to the dictates of justice and moderation they will make peace; if not, they will be made to repent their persisting in hostilities— although the United States are slow to anger, yet when once aroused their wrath will be destructive to their enemies — Your Father General Washington will continue to love and cherish you; and if requisite, he will supply you further with the articles necessary to your situation, and for which you will apply to the General commanding the army at Fort Wash- ington— Given at the War Office of the United States, in the city of Philadelphia, this twenty seventh day of April 1793— Henry Knox Secretary for War True Copy from the record of the War Office [undecipherable] King [undecipherable] June 25 1793