[Copy] [Cover: Copy of a Letter from Sec^y at War June 21. 1794] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] War Department June 21. 1794 Sir, The first Copy of the Letter herein inclosed was transmitted by your Son who left this City on the 18 instant. And as it is probable the transportation of the goods mentioned in the list may retard his progress I have judged it necessary to forward this letter by express [undecipherable] counteracting with the Six Nations upon the Alleghenies [undecipherable] to be in some measure interrupted, and hostilities are now highly probable. It appears to be believed that the Six Nations committed murders upon some people near [undecipherable] which, as mentioned in the [undecipherable] paper of the 14 instant herein enclosed, [was] more fully to show you the state of Affairs in that quarter. It is now more than ever become necessary to ascertain the real sentiments of the Six Nations with respect to the continuance of peace and the establishment of the settlement at Presque Isle. This therefore must be your charge, on the most certain and most expeditious manner possible. The goods forwarded to you by your Son will give you the means of assembling the Chiefs at a very short day; and you can make preparations so that they be assembled by the time of the arrival of the goods [forwarded] at [undecipherable] is to be left Endeavour to learn also the sentiments of your neighbours [undecipherable] respecting the proposed establishment at Presque Isle and also [undecipherable] that part specified to you in my letter of the 5 April by Captain [undecipherable] Son. Besides the money placed in charge of that Gentleman for the public service under your orders your Son had charge of One thousand — Dollars for the purpose of paying the charge of transportation and other public objects. The United States sincerely desire peace with the Six Nations and all the world. The appearances of War with Great Britain are much lessened and it is now generally supposed peace will continue with that nation — The attempts therefore of any agents of discord are to be totally disregarded by the Indians Let me hear from you at least once a week noting every occurrence of importance which shall happen or forming of every pacific appearance. endeavour to obtain information of the latest movements either among the Indians or English and transmit the result to me — Write me fully by the return of the express whose stay with you must not exceed three days — I am Sir, Your ob^t Servant H Knox Gen^l Israel Chapin [Pray send yourself to learn the true state of the [undecipherable] the British having established a post at the Rapids of the Miami and garrison it with three Companies of troops]