[Private] D. 57 Gen^l Wayne ^XXXIV 149 3810^a J W Branch of Miami 15^th Nov^r 1793 Dear Sir The same baneful leaven, which has been, &is yet fermenting (in the Atlantic States,) against the most Worthy & Immaculate Character of this, or any other age — and against all the confidential Officers of Government, has also been fermenting in this Region, from the moment of our first landing at Hobsons Choice The rights of man, has been held up as a Criterion, even of Military Government. Attempts have frequently been made to evade & disobey Orders, under various unworthy pretexts & idle quibbles, unknown at any period before that time, in this Region. The most [underline: visible] & acting person is a hir a Cussing, who is a very artful & sedilious man There is a Capt Guen, not far behind, but with less art. It has been advanced as a Cardinal principle, & Officers have been advised to say "Sir I have owed my Country Service — & I have done it — I still owe allegiance, & that is [strikethrough: a return for] a Granted right, of going, & coming, when I please" & to such a pitch was this doctrine carried (at a crises when we have scarely a Guard & relief) that when some young Gentle men were refused a furlough, they offered their resignations & prepared to depart without any further Ceremony, saying they were advised to do so, by [underline: experienced] Officers! Those Gentlemen feel that they were not Advised, I am endeavoring to fix when the principal [undecipherable], when an example shall take place, that will effectually prevent such doctrine or attempts in future; But this Sir 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 those [undecipherable: formerly] advanced, might operate as a powerful inducement upon the minds of those Gentlemen, to wish that the issues might be principally made there (as the greater part of the transport may be effected by Water.) But they would not have ventured to almost totally neglect the deposits at the Head of the Lines, & which they were repeatedly Ordered to make, both in writing & verbally — & [undecipherable: ought] to have been effected, notwithstanding the temporary prohibition; had proper means been used — Unless prevented by some latent cause From present appearances, it most certainly was [underline: expected], that I should be compelled to retreat, for want of Supplies! This was only intended to Operate against me; but principally against Government. The Honor & dignity of which shall never be Committed by any Conduct of mine. 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 default my Advances I have the Honor to be with the most perfect esteem & friendship, Your most Ob^t & faithfull Hum^ble Serv^t [Capt & M^r Lewis who is charged with this dispatches will give you more further information as you think proper to acquire. The Hoz[?] M. I am under great Obligation to the Independent B Road] Ant^y Wayne [undecipherable marginalia along bottom edge]