[Endorsement on cover page, written at angle:] [undecipherable] to the [undecipherable] Submitted to the [undecipherable] of the US Oct 19. 1793— [Archival notation:] K Indians & frontier forts XXXIV-160 1849a 8ou the gifts which have been made [defer] without effect, to adjust by an amicable negociation all causes or difference with the hostile Indians North of the Ohio will I trust be found a demonstration of the sincere [strikethrough: desires] disposition of the United States for peace upon moderate and equitable terms, and also of their liberal intentions to rendering [strikethrough: better] more formidable the condition of their ignorant and barbarous Neighbours I have directed that all the papers relatively to the pacific overtures which have been made to the said Indians together with the result thereof, Should be laid before you for your full information upon the subject. [strikethrough: If] After the [undecipherable] experiments for peace being unattainable upon reasonable grounds, it appears to be incumbent upon the United States to take decisively [such] [undecipherable] of their force, as shall be competent, as well to the immediate protection of [the] exposed citizens as [to] [undecipherable] the tribes which obstinately persevere in their depredations upon our frontiers. The season for military operations having been occupied [strikethrough: by negociation] hitherto, [strikethrough: have] will not be able to undertake any considerable [strikethrough: [undecipherable]] [undecipherable] during the remainder — The [strikethrough: estimates] Statements [of the] orders [that] will be laid before [undecipherable], but [undecipherable] be perceived that the numbers [strikethrough: [undecipherable]] authorized by [law], are [strikethrough: [undecipherable]] [undecipherable: materially deficient] [undecipherable] It will be a subject of consideration whether the establishment shall be completed by additional encouragements, or whether powerful aids of militia shall be afforded to accomplish the public objects. The [situation of the] [undecipherable] frontiers will also claim the serious attention of Congress. A Statement upon this subject, together with the papers on which it is founded [are] laid before you in order that you may be enabled to judge of the measures which it may be proper to adopt on the occasion. At the same time [undecipherable] for the prompt punishment [of] the banditti in towns belonging to tribes in peace with us, it would appear [undecipherable: indispensable] that some mode should be devised to strengthen the laws, by [strikethrough: which] our own violators of the peace, and of existing treaties, should not escape with impunity, and thereby bring down upon innocent women and children, the horrors of retaliation, and [strikethrough: upon] [strikethrough: [undecipherable]] [undecipherable] the Country in an unjust [undecipherable]— I have directed the Secretary of [undecipherable] also to lay before you [undecipherable] report of the present situation of the arsenals of the United States. — although it might appear that [undecipherable] and [undecipherable] the warlike apparatus contained therein are [undecipherable: defective] [undecipherable], yet motives of prudence require, that large augmentations should be made thereto. During the recess of Congress, I conceived it to be my duty to direct that some essential articles should be provided, and some repairs made, which might be required at a time and under circumstances, when they could not be obtained. The expenses incurred on [this occasion] for [the] [undecipherable] objects, will be [undecipherable] in the estimates for the ensuing year, for [which] appropriations must be requisite. Although it be [undecipherable: considered] that neither our interest, nor any other circumstances should require us to become further [undecipherable] War [at present existing] among the European powers, [undecipherable] it is the [undecipherable: obligation] [undecipherable] which every nation owes to itself, to be provided at all times, in full abundance with the [undecipherable] necessary for its own security and defence It is for this reason that I conceive [undecipherable] dictates that not only our arsenals and magazines should be well provided but also that it is important that defensive arrangements should be taken [undecipherable] for [the fortification of] some of our principal Seaports. Applications have been recently made to me for this purpose by several of the executives of the individual States, but [the] [undecipherable] appropriation, [undecipherable] it could not be undertaken. [undecipherable] is too apparent [to require] any [undecipherable] arguments [to enforce] it. Being upon the subject of our national defense, I take the occasion [undecipherable] to [undecipherable] the [undecipherable] and [undecipherable] of that bulwark of liberty and Safety, an energetic and formidable militia, [strikethrough: which] [undecipherable] in all emergencies, [undecipherable] [undecipherable] what [undecipherable] and [undecipherable] opportunity to take such measures as the nature of the [undecipherable] require. With an adequate body of [free] Citizens properly organized, the United States would be in a condition to meet all [undecipherable] and [strikethrough: [undecipherable]] offensive events which [sometimes] arise in the affairs of men, and for which being unprepared the happiness and liberty of Societies, have [frequently] been overturned and [ruined]— [Archival notation:] # XXXIV-160 [undecipherable] ctr. for Pn. Dept. [undecipherable] 1793 [undecipherable] 9 In pursuance [of] this [view] [of] this subject I submit to your wisdom whether [undecipherable] the exposed situation of [our] some of the principal Seaports of the US [undecipherable] that [species] of [undecipherable: fortification] would [secure] them from insult or [undecipherable] surprise. Applications have been made to me for this purpose by several of the executives of the individual States, [where] [could] [not be] [undecipherable] merely [undecipherable] [could not] [undecipherable] as there was not [undecipherable] authority [to] [undecipherable] the [measures].