[4 June 1796. From the Sec^ry to Go: General — S] War Department June 14^th 1796. Sir, I am instructed by the President to reply to your Letter of the 13^th instant and to inform you that the reasons which induced the opinion communicated to you on the 24^th ultimo continue to operate and have not been weak-ened by any information since received. It must be obvious to you, Sir, and seems even to result from some of the information you have transmitted that the proposed movement is an extremely delicate one, as it regards our peace with the Sea Nations. To bring on hostilities with those Nations would be at any time a serious evil, considered in reference to the opera-tions we are carrying on against the more Western tribes, the possible mischiefs of such a still more important aspect. It is unnecessary to enlarge upon the inconveniences which might ensue to those operations by throwing unexpectedly in the midst of a campaign, a considerable an additional weight into the adverse scale. When we take into the calculation the present situation of our affairs with the Creek Indians, hostilities with the Sea Indians might cooperate to place us in and the rage of a general Indian War, not to mention [undecipherable] in particular and in many other which might [undecipherable] those hostilities. It will be happy indeed if the circum-stances which have already occurred shall not be found to have matured the evil beyond the possibility of a remedy. A comprehensive view of the subject cannot but include some considerations relative to the foreign nations in the neighbourhood of the United States in aid of the primary ones which respect the Indian Nations. In the present delicate, if not critical posi-tion of our affairs viewed in connection with those of Europe amidst negotiations, which concern not only our peace but other great interests of our Country where every moment may be expected to bring some new developments, very cogent and urgent reasons indeed ought to be found in support of any measure which may have even a remote tendency further to embrue or embroil. If in the execution of the measures, which are in train, there shall be found reason for varying the opinion now delivered it shall be communicated to you without delay, and you may be assured that nothing [undecipherable] will be omitted to obviate the temporary obstacles which exist. I have the honor to be, Sir, with great respect Your obedient Servant Henry Knox Secretary His Excellency Governor Mifflin