[Letter to General Knox, p^r M^r Baynton)] Navy Hall 26^th June 1793 Sir, Yesterday M^r Parish arrived with your letters of the 6^th and 12^th. We are happy that he has obtained a full supply of Wampum. On the 1^st of June, M^r Wilson and M^r Ash, interpreters arrived with a letter from Major Craig, mentioning the terms on which they were engaged. The Vessel in which the Friends, M^r Heckewelder, &c embarked, meeting with some delay at Fort Erie, M^r Wilson and M^r Ash had time to proceed with them to Detroit. M^r Wilson appears to be an intelligent man, and from his acquaintance at the Westward we hoped he might collect some useful information He intended to go to the rapids of the Miami, but was disappointed. His letter of the 17^th and Colonel McKee's of the 14^th Instant (of which copies are enclosed) will explain the causes thereof. Jasper Parish left General Chapin near Fort Erie with Colonel Butler who told him that McKee, had written to him on the 19^th Instant, that the Western Indians were awaiting the arrival of the six nations, and desired that they might be hastened on. Colonel Butler had accordingly sent for those of the six nations who had collected at Buffalo Creek, for the purpose of proceeding to the treaty. They have probably embarked with Colonel Butler yesterday or today. Another Vessel lies at Fort Erie ready to receive us, and we shall proceed for that place today. Our stores are now on the way. At our request General Chapin has come forward to accompany us to the treaty. He was here some time ago and after much conversation with him we were of opinion that his assistance would be very useful. We have engaged him some compensation independent of ordinary allowance as Superintendant of Indian affairs. We were glad to receive the various proclamations forbidding expeditions northward of the Ohio. With all the proofs we can obtain we shall find it difficult enough to allay the Jealousy of the Indians who will doubtless be frequently alarmed with stories as groundless as that mentioned in the letter to Colonel McKee, and M^r Wilson. Every escort with provisions will probably occasion such reports, and should there be any apparent accumulation of troops at the posts beyond their ordinary complement, it may at least greatly retard our negotiations. Permit us to ask whether a truce should not be considered as existing during the treaty and whether a liberal observance of the laws of a truce, on the part of the United States be not expedient; altho by the Indians to whom such laws are not known they are not respected. We shall however, use our endeavours to impress them with the propriety, and necessity of abstaining from all hostilities, while the event of treaty is in suspence. We ardently hope that the minds of the Southern Indians may be quieted and peace confirmed. Nothing would make us more happy than to be able to relieve the President from any degree of the anxiety he feels for "the entire success of our mission"; but no facts have yet come to our knowledge, which we can warrant an opinion on the event of it. The result shall be communicated to you as early as possible with the copy mentioned in your postscript. M^r Baynton has made a verbal communication of what he says was entrusted to him by you, and which we shall not forget. We remain Sir, Yours &c B. Lincoln, B. Randolph, } Commissioners T. Pickering. }