[Copy] War Department, May 24, 1794 Sir: — The President of the United States has directed me to acknowledge the receipt of your Excellency's letter of this date, enclosing a copy of the orders, which you have issued for drafting one thousand militia from the Western Brigade to support the detachment which the Legislature of Pennsylvania directed to be raised for the purpose of protecting the Commissioners who were authorized to lay out a Town at Presqu'Isle. It was intimated to the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania by me on the 10th instant that, under the actual circumstances of the United States, it became a subject of serious consideration whether any measures ought now to be urged which are likely to produce disgust to our friends the Six Nations and to extend Indian hostilities. & Since then information has been received from Israel Chapin, of which a copy is hereinenclosed, by which it will be perceived that affairs are critically circumstanced between the United States and the said Six Nations. The President of the United States on mature reflection is of opinion that it is adviseable to suspend for the present the establishment at Presqu'Isle. That independent of certain other considerations of delicacy and moment, which at no distant day will be better appreciated, the high probability of an inconsiderate rupture with the Six Nations, if the measures be persisted in, countenanced by the late information and increased by the recent murder of one of their people, appears to be a solid reason for a temporary suspension. I have the honor to be with great respect His Excellency Your Excellency's obedient Servant Governor Mifflin H. Knox Secy of War (City A. J. Dallas,) Secretary