[Instructions A. 2[undecipherable] [undecipherable]. 793 [undecipherable] cliffern X X X] War Department, September 8. 1793 Sir I am instructed by the President of the United States to state to your Excellency, that information has this day been received by express, that notwithstanding the utmost efforts of the Commissioners, the pacific overtures to the hostile Indians north of the Ohio have been rendered abortive by their insisting upon the Ohio as the boundary.) That the Commissioners arrived at the mouth of Detroit River on the 21^st of July, and waited there until the 17^th ultimo, when having received the definitive answer — of the Indians the Commissioners sailed for Fort Erie where they arrived the 23 ultimo. The Commissioners were not even admitted to an interview with the body of the hostile Indians, but the communications were carried on by deputations from them. ( It appears the tribes most determined for war, are the Wyandots, Delawares, Shawanese, and Miamis, although it is said a considerable proportion of these were for peace. It is understood that the six Nations including Captain Brandt and his Mohocks strongly urged the hostile Indians to make peace with the United States — Affairs being thus circumstanced, it is probable that the sword only can afford ample protection to the frontiers. It is understood that the militia embodied on the frontiers of Virginia under your orders, together with the patroles called scouts, are deemed sufficient for their defence. But it may be proper to caution the people immediately, that every measure necessary to guard against surprize should be adopted I have the honor to be with great respect Sir Your obedient Serv^t. [signature: H. Knox] [undecipherable] His Excellency Governor Lee.