[To General Knox Philadel[phia] 15 Nov^r 1793 Private [undecipherable] respecting outrages of the disaffected characters] [Private] N.W District of Miami 15^th November 1793 Dear Sir The same baneful Daemon which has been & is yet fomenting (in the Atlantic States) against the most Worthy & immaculate Characters of this or any other age; Inspired all the confidential Officers of Government — has also been fomenting in this Legion, from the Moment of my first Landing at Hobsons Choice; • The rights of men for Officers held in derision — even for Military Government — Attempts have frequently been made, to evade or disobey orders under various unworthy pretexts, idle quibbles; The most [undecipherable] fading [undecipherable] is a [undecipherable] Cutting, who is [undecipherable] artful & seditious mind — There is after [undecipherable], not far behind — but with [undecipherable] — it has been advanced as a Cardinal principle — & Officers have been advised to say it — "I have [undecipherable] my Country Service — & I have done it — Still owe Allegiance, & that in return for all Granted rights, of going & coming [undecipherable: when pleased?]" & to such a pitch has this doctrine — [undecipherable] ([undecipherable]) that when some young Gentlemen were refused furloughs they offered their Resignations, & prepared to depart without any further Ceremony — saying they were advised to do so — Respectable [undecipherable] Officers: Those Gentlemen feel that they were wrong advised; I am endeavouring to fix upon the Principal — when an example shall take place, that will effectually prevent, such doctrine or attempts in future; — But this is not all, I have but too much cause to believe that the Neglect on the part of the Contractors was occasioned by a many headed Monster — the high price of the rations at Fort Hamilton, in proportion to the posts far advance might operate as a powerful inducement upon the minds of those Gentlemen — to wish the [undecipherable] to be principally made there, (as the people [undecipherable] of the transport may be affected by Water) but they would not have ventured, to almost totally neglect the deposits at the Head of the line which they were repeatedly ordered to make, both in Writing & Verbally — thought to have been effected Notwithstanding the temporary Prohibition, had there been proper exertions made — unless prevented by some latent cause; From present Appearances it most [undecipherable] — it was expected, that I should be compelled to retreat, for want of supplies — this was not only meant to operate against me, but principally against Government — the Honor & dignity of which I shall never be committed by any conduct [undecipherable]; I mention those facts & circumstances in Confidence, which will probably be openly demonstrated in a little time; as they have failed in causing me to retreat — probably the next attempt, will be to defame my Advances; I have the honor to be with the most sincere Respect Esteem & Friendship Your most Obt H[umble] S[ervan]t [undecipherable: signature] [M[ajor] G[eneral] [undecipherable] who [undecipherable] / [undecipherable] been [undecipherable] to let you into some of the intrigues / The Hon[orable] Gen[era]l Knox]