questioned the prosecution of the present [undecipherable] was an advantage to the United States Self preservation has ever been one of the pri- mary laws of nature. To make this the more se- cure, bodies of people have united themselves together into [undecipherable]. Now in order to [undecipherable] [protection?] of [their?] [undecipherable] the [third?] and [perhaps?] [most?] [effectual?] [means?] of [rendering?] themselves [capable?] [their?] enemies, to [assist?] and [support?] [each?] [other?] in carry- ing on war against other bodies of [people?]. [To?] have increased upon their liberty [and?] [undecipherable] Such was the intention of these states as they united themselves together. The prosecution of the present Indian war is in defence of personal [protection?] if we did not find an [answer?] [or?] [means?] to [embold?] their incursions and savage cruelties, our fron- tiers would daily be diminished in number. The many outrages and murders which are daily [committed?] by these barbarians [undecipherable] [among?] [us?] [undecipherable] [sufficient?] force in these parts to repel their inhuman attacks, are sufficient inducements to [show?] how quick[ly?] were they not opposed by superior forces, our whole country would be depopulated, and the most flourishing and growing part of the earth turned into an entire desert. [undecipherable] is the only method by which we can guard our lives and [properties?]. So often have they violated and broken [the?] [laws?] [of?] [intercourse?] and [assurances?] that we can [have?] no dependence in their promise. Therefore is it [undecipherable] that if the preservation of [our?] [lives?] [undecipherable] [are?] [undecipherable] [undecipherable: remainder of document wholly illegible due to image degradation]