Department of War [c 149] December 5^th 1794 It was not until yesterday that I had the honor to peruse your Letters of the 30^th of June and 10^th of July which were received on the 29^th of August, a period at which I was absent at the eastward and did not return here until October — On my return the President of the United States was absent with the Militia at the Westward raised to curb the insurgents, Since his return the preparations for Congress and other pressing business have engrossed all my time — Your Letter and the enclosures have been submitted to the President of the United States — He directs me to assure you that it is his desire that in all cases the most impartial justice shall be administered in the Army — That upon a repetition of your desire to Major General Wayne he will direct a Court of enquiry to be formed for the purposes of of investigating any Circumstances relativly to you, which you Shall Suggest — That as to the five charges which you exhibit against Major Gen^l. Wayne they appear to be too indefinite at present to ground thereon any proceedings. The President requests that if you adhere to those charges, that you will please to specify the particular cases and instances intended to be included in each of them upon the receipt of this specification he will be enabled better to judge than at present what steps further he ought to take upon the subject — The President would readily comply with your request to repair to this City, were it not that a direct permission from him would in his opinion tend to the prejudice of the discipline of the Army as he judges that all leave of absence ought to be granted by the Commander in Chief, who is the public agent to judge whether such permission be compatible with the public service — As your letters of the 30^th of June and 10^th July and the deposition of Robert Elliot are Are public and materially interest Major Gen^l. Wayne, Copies thereof are transmitted to him by this opportunity and also a Copy of this Letter — I am. Sir with great esteem } & your Obedient Servant H Knox Sec^y. of War Brigad^r. Gen^d. Wilkinson