N^o 67 From Major General Knox Secretary of war War department Sir May 10. 1794. The last letter which I had the honor to write to you of any considerable importance was dated the 31^st march the first of which was sent by M^r Carpenter, and the second by Lieut. Campbell Smith. I have to acknowledge to have since received your several favors of the 25^th of Jan^y the 8. 10^th and 20^th of march, and I shall now reply to such parts thereof as may be necessary. The suicide of Captain Stiff Knee the Seneca is to be regretted as having happened in your camp, as it may be difficult to convince his tribe and friends that he had no cause for such a conduct. I hope therefore you may have fully explained this catastrophe through M^r Rosecrants according to your intentions. The issue of the flags and proposition of the hostile Indians occasion no disappointment. Their minds are not prepared for peace nor is it according to the human character they should desire tranquility until they shall be convinced that it is for their interest. The facts events have justified their ideas of superiority over us, and until they shall be convinced by some example to the contrary it is to be apprehended they will continue their wanton barbarities upon our defenseless women and children without fearing punishment which in their minds may be both remote and uncertain. This opinion is strongly confirmed by your letter of the 10^th 2^d March. Upon the most mature consideration of this subject the President of the United States has conceived that the national interests and dignity are intimately blended with the measure of terminating the western Indian war during the course of the present year. The necessity of such an event is greatly enhanced by the consideration of the critical position of our affairs with some of the European powers. The Appearances justify the hope that a sufficient number of recruits can be engaged, to replace the men whose enlistments have expired, and are about expiring, much less of filling the legion. Under therefore existing circumstances the only fixed expectation of a competent auxiliary force is to be derived from the mounted volunteers of Kentucky. Were it practicable to obtain a considerable number of good Militia foot to join you, a proportion of the Volunteers hereinafter mentioned would have been of that description. But when the aversion of the inhabitants of Kentucky to that sort of service was estimated, especially combined with the low compensation which only could be allowed according to law, it was confessed that an exertion to obtain foot Militia either as volunteers or by drafts would only produce disappointment and disgrace. Major General Scott being in Philadelphia and his cordial cooperation with you being relied upon, and he willing to undertake the measure, the provisional orders have been given to him of which the enclosed marked N^o1 is a copy. As this paper will fully unfold the plan it is unnecessary to repeat all the ideas contained therein. It is intended that you being near the scene of action and legally vested with the authority shall be the judge First — whether to call at all for the force thus placed within your power. Secondly, the quantum, that is the two thousand or any lesser number. Thirdly. The time at which they shall join you and the period for which they shall serve. It is presumed however that the necessity of terminating the war as before expressed within the course of the campaign and the little probability of the Indians being inclined to a peace under the present circumstances will decide you to avail yourself of the mounted volunteers to an extent which in your judgement will enable you not only to establish your posts without risque, but to chase at least to the westward of the Miami of the Lake all the hostile Indians and if possible by some given strokes to make them sensible how necessary a solid and permanent peace would be to prevent their utter extirpation. But when even this disposition cannot be persuaded for or to render them willing to accede to and permanently abide by the principles held forth in the instructions transmitted to you, dated the fourth day of April last, you are hereby directed to make a peace accordingly. The United States will ever temper their justice with mercy and if a good peace could be obtained it would be proper that it should be upon liberal terms. Major General Scott would have been ordered to repair to your camp for the purpose of receiving your final instructions, but it was conceived that ten days which are precious may be lost. It will be proper that you find a sensible and intelligent Officer to Georgetown to muster the volunteers, and to reject all whose horses or persons shall be unable to bear the fatigues of the proposed active campaign. If the Pay Master cannot be found it would be proper that you should appoint a deputy of some Officer whose integrity may be relied upon to also repair to George Town to pay the advanced money which is mentioned in Major General Scott's instructions. As it is not improbable that you may have called for some volunteers for the same periods as mentioned in Major Gen^l Scott's instructions, it will be a subject of your attention and care that there be no clashing in or the purposes. Indeed as every part of the arrangements is placed under your controul, it is expected that there will be none. I have given the Quarter Master General the orders of which the enclosed is a copy N^o 2. He has had advanced to him in money and bills paid drawn by his deputy in pursuance of your orders, the sum of one hundred and seven thousand eight hundred dollars for the purposes of the present year, and he will have such further sums as you shall judge indispensable. The expenses of his department and the expense of every supply in the distant posts is in itself a strong reason for closing the war, but there are other circumstances which render the measure indispensible, or at least that the best arrangements and the most powerful exertions be made for that purpose. On this head the President considers you will want no further incitement. The measure of practicable at all, must be decided the present year; provided means adequate to that end can be procured. The supplies of provision it is apprehended will occasion the greatest difficulty. But it is hoped the energy of the Contractor, the energy of the Quarter Master General, and your own general superintendance, will insure a constant and just supply of provisions. As to forage excepting the green forage provided by nature, it seems to be almost out of the question for the mounted volunteers, and I am told by Major General Scott it will not be expected. The powder, lead and military fuses as contained in the enclosed list, has been forwarded N^o 3. also the Medicines and hospital stores N^o 4. and the Quarter Master General stores as in N^o 5. and the Clothing as in N^o 6. which will afford you shoes requested in your letter of the 10^th of march. Lieut Campbell Smith took on the pay of the army to Fort Washington to the 1^st day of April last. Major General Scott will take to Fort Washington the pay for April and May of the present year, and also the Subsistence and Forage. It is however to be expected that the money forwarded leave a surplusage as to the objects directed. He also takes the sum of thirty three thousand eight hundred and fifty five dollars for the advanced pay of the mounted volunteers. In future no greater arrears of pay will be suffered than two months. The Quarter Master General will deliver you one thousand dollars in gold for the purposes of obtaining intelligence. The promotions and appointments agreeably to the list may have been made which you will please to publish in orders. The President has not thought proper at present to nominate a Brigadier General in the room of Brigadier Posy resigned, the incomplete State of the Legion does not seem to require that measure. If there should be any thing to render perfect the receipt and delivery of the whiskey by the Quarter Masters department, I pray you to direct the same so that the system may have the fairest experiment possible. Some officers particularly Captains Lewis and Eaton coming home apparently upon their own business have availed themselves of some [undecipherable] plication in your orders to them to obtain compensation as coming upon extra and special service. I pray your attention to this point in future. If the public services require an express, send one for a precise compensation. But in ordinary where officers are indulged with a furlough, they may take without injury to themselves a letter and arriving within the lines of posts put it into an office. The appointments are not yet made to the three new battalions of Artillery. Suitable characters are sought for as it is to be hoped this corps will contribute most materially to the future military reputation of the United States. The greatest possible care will therefore be taken that none but proper characters are appointed. I also enclose you N^o 8. a copy of a letter to the Governor of Kentucky, to which said relates to the defensive protection of that State you will please to conform. You will perceive he is appointed the President of the board to appoint the other Officers. The following detachments are now on their route to join your army. Ensign