[N.^o 70. To Major Gen^l Knox Sec^ty of war.] Head Quarters Greeneville 18. Jan.^ry 1794. Sir, I have the honor to inform you that the hostile Indians have sent in a flag with overtures of peace as mentioned and explained in the enclosed copies of their speech to me and my answer to the Delaware, Shawanoes & Miami Nations.— It is very evident that this extraordinary Embassy (at this Crisis) is in consequence of our sudden & unexpected possession of General St. Clair's field of battle towards the Right, and some recent movements on the left of Grand Glaize, in order to discover the true situation of that place and the route by which it was most accessible; those last objects have been effected by a chosen detachment under the command of Capt. Eaton, just returned from the vicinity of that place; and closely followed in by the bearers of the Flag.— Hence it is very problematical, whether, the Enemy are influenced by a sincere desire for peace or, insidiously to gain time in order to secure their winter provisions, and to withdraw their [strikethrough: women and] children from pending destruction; as well as to gain an opportunity to reconnoitre our position and to discover our numbers, which they have never heretofore been able to ascertain.— We may therefore eventually have cause to regret the loss of the present Golden favorable opportunity, whilst the wide, deep swamps & rivers are strongly frozen over for advancing and striking with effect; so as to produce a conviction to those haughty savages that neither the inclemency of the season or distance of place were any security against the effects against the bayonet, Expousure & fire of the American Legion.— However, time will soon determine the sincerity or perfidy of these hearts upon this occasion.— Under those circumstances and with those impressions I have demanded of the Enemy some convincing & unequivocal proofs of their sincerity previously to the appointment of the time and place for holding a general treaty.— In the interim I have strongly impressed upon the minds of their messengers viva voce the indispensible necessity of a punctual surrender of all their prisoners at the time and place appointed.— I have the honor to be with profound esteem & respect, your most obed.^t & very hum^l Serv.^t A Wayne [B. as I was in the act of sealing this letter, I received the [undecipherable] by express.—] the Hon.^ble Maj. Gen. Knox Sec.^ty of war.—