[22^nd July 1794 The Governor to The President — Complied] Sir, I have receiv'd a letter from the Secretary of War, dated the 21^st instant, in which he informs me of your intention to appoint a Commissioner, for the purpose of holding a Treaty with the Six Nations at Canandaigua, on the 15^th of September next; and I shall with all possible dispatch transmit, for your information, the documents relating to the title of Pennsylvania, so far as it is founded on a Purchase of the Indian Claims, within the limits particularly designated in the late Council at Le Boeuf. — But at the same time, I [undecipherable] it to be clearly understood that on my part, no assent is given to any proposition that shall bring into doubt, or Controvert, the Rights of the State.— With Respect to the opinion expressed by the Secretary of War, that (before the lapse of the [undecipherable] during which [undecipherable: probable reading "the Pioneer's"] Settlement may lawfully be Suspended,) there is a sufficient time for holding a Treaty with the Six Nations, if begun about the middle of September, I confess my Judgement has not dictated the same [strikethrough: Conclusion] from a consideration of the Circumstances, which the Case presents to my View. It is true, as the Secretary of War observes, that the enlistments of the Troops do not expire till the first of December, & that they may be continued until the meeting of the Legislature, that is until the 2^d of December: but, independent of the Various Casualties, which usually protract and sometimes defeat the project of Indian Treaties, it must be obvious, that a knowledge of the result of a Treaty, held at Canandaigua on the 15^th of September, cannot reasonably be expected in the City, till the middle of October; that after knowing the result, a fortnight, or three Weeks must necessarily be employed in notifying the Commissioners, and in the prosecution of their Journey to Presque isle; and that by a progress of this kind, the Surveys must be executed (if any man, indeed, can then be found so hardy as to undertake the task) in the depth of Winter, and at the very moment, when the Authority for affording protection to the Commissioners, expires by its own limitation.— Nor is the Subject without embarrassment, when we consider it, in Relation to the [undecipherable] persons to the persons who shall actually inhabit and reside in the Town on or before the first of May 1795; for no residence can take place till the Surveys are returned; and the Surveys cannot be returned under the Circumstances which have been remarked, till the Winter, and its effects have probably rendered it impracticable to travel to the Settlement within the limited period. — Not only may public policy be thus defeated; but the hopes of many adventurous individuals will be totally destroyed.— Under the impression of these Considerations, I might be tempted to express a wish that an earlier day should be fixed, for holding the proposed Treaty; but that a sense of duty Suggests an impropriety in the Slightest interference upon the occasion — I will content myself, therefore, with informing you that I shall instruct the Commissioners to hold themselves in readiness to perform their trust, as soon as the Treaty is over: — if the Issue is favourable to our object, they will be authorised, immediately to proceed to Presque isle; but if the Indians shall continue to threaten oppression, directions will be given to wait for a further Communication from me. — In the latter event, I shall rely upon receiving the Military Aid of the General Government, not only to prevent any uneasiness that may arise from the expiration of the Pennsylvania Enlistments, but effectually to subdue that Resistance to the Execution of this Law of Pennsylvania; which its Suspension, by giving time and Confidence to our Ill-disposed Neighbours, must naturally increase.— I am, with perfect Respect, Your Excellency's most Obed^t Hble Svt Thomas Mifflin [seal] Philadelphia 22^d July 1794 To The President of the United States.—