[Endorsement on verso: undecipherable filing notations] War Department Sept 8. 179[undecipherable] I am instructed by the President of the United States to [acquaint?] [your] Excellency, that information has this Day been received by express that notwithstanding the utmost efforts of the Commissioners, the pacific overtures to the Northern Indians North of the Ohio have been rendered abortive for their declining upon the [undecipherable] on the boundary. That the [undecipherable] forces arrived at the mouth of Detroit River on the 23 of [July?] [undecipherable] and then [undecipherable] the [undecipherable] [undecipherable] often when having learned the determined answer of the Indians the Commissioners were sailed for [Fort?] Erie where they arrived the 2[undecipherable]^d [undecipherable]. The Commissioners were allowed [undecipherable] an interview with the [undecipherable] of the [undecipherable] Indians, but the Communications were carried by [undecipherable] deputation from them. It appears the tribes most determined for war, are the [Shyandots?], Delawares, the [undecipherable] & Miamis, altho' it is said a considerable proportion of these were for peace. It is understood that the Six Nations including Captain Brant and his Mohawks strongly urged the hostile Indians to make peace with the United States Affairs being thus [undecipherable], [undecipherable] that the United [undecipherable] only can afford ample protection to the frontiers. It is understood that the militia embodied on the frontiers of Virginia under your orders to [undecipherable] with the [undecipherable] called [undecipherable] are deemed [undecipherable] in their Defence [undecipherable] to [undecipherable] to caution the [undecipherable] [undecipherable] the [undecipherable] that every measure necessary to guard against surprise should be adopted I have the honor to be Signed H Knox Sec^y of War