[13 July 95] [seal] Fort Washington January 3^d 1795 [Copies] The Officers of the Legion are about to petition Congress for a quantity of land in this territory; my motive for troubling you, is to [undecipherable] your influence in the buisness. Doubtless, some who are unacquainted with the situation of this country, will oppose it; but I hope those who are better informed will undervalue them; a separate from the Ideas of Justice or generosity, merely from good nationally, policy grant the request; & for the following reasons: (Viz) There are many people who were breed in the frontiers, low in their morals, unaccustomed to restraint and consider any law as an abridgement of their liberties; always ready to follow any person who would lead them against Government. There are others more influential and more Intriguing, who consider the politics of the Atlantic States repugnant to the interest of this Country; speak openly of a separation; and perhaps the time is not distant, when an attempt of the kind will be made: to accomplish which the English will be very ready to give their assistance and have done much already to instigate it. The Officers of the Legion are all Federalists — this will not be doubted, when it is considered how natural it is for military men to be, in favour of the Government that employs them. The more thinking are so from principle; they know to oppose it is to oppose the true interest of the whole country; and to destroy it, would ruin our [undecipherable], depreciate [undecipherable] property, destroy public and private [undecipherable], and lead on to anarchy & confusion; and will I trust be ever ready to employ their influence in its support. And as a number of them come here with a view of becoming settlers, to me it appears bad policy, when it could be so easily prevented; to suffer them to scatter along this extensive frontier and mix with the People of the first mentioned principles; which might contaminate their own, & at least destroy a part of that influence they would have if settled in a body. For support of my opinion, I will mention the conduct of the people of Muskingum, "a military settlement", to rescue General [undecipherable] a Major [undecipherable], who fled there for their lives; it being the only place of safety within 150 miles of Pittsburgh; where they received every assistance, and no doubt would have been protected if pursued by the Insurgents. Should Congress think it proper to make the grant we solicit, it lies on the North-west side of [undecipherable] frontiers, and directly between the present frontier and the great body of the hostile Indians: and would be settled by men who would keep them in awe; and much appreciate the [undecipherable] land adjoining; out of which they could with industry create property that would give that influence in society, their political principles [undecipherable] in... and their former various merit. There are the principal instruments that [undecipherable] me favorably in favour of the grant; there are others of a less public nature, but still in my opinion [undecipherable] native. The expense attending the transporting of every necessary & convenience of life; [has?] a most respected from Philadelphia to this place, prevents an officer with the most rigid economy living in that decent style that [undecipherable] expected from his rank; much less reserve any thing for a future day. Besides all this, and many other difficulties under which are laboring the officers of the Legion from the chief among to include the most of the Captains, were among the most zealous who followed the American Standard through the late revolution, and whose influence and opinions were afterwards extremely useful in breaking from anarchy and confusion, an energetic Federal Government; which gives plenty and protection to almost all its citizens; & places them in a truly enjoyable situation; while we are among the few who have received no personal benefit from either. Being only necessitated to dispose of the evidence of their debt for former services, and our present professions debar us from participating in the advantage arising from the means of trade and commerce; in the rise of public credit and Speculation. [undecipherable] With those Ideas I cannot suppose Congress will spare grudgingly from their abundance, a small tract of land on which we may set down; "when our services are no more wanted" and spend the afternoon of life together; which would in some measure compensate for the great sacrifice we make in quitting with so much reluctance our near friends & connections in the Atlantic States. If what I have said bears any weight in your minds, I wish you think proper to give the perusal of it, with my respect to the New Hampshire Members, & also to General [undecipherable]. I am, with great respect a citizen Sir, your friend and humble servant. Jn.^o [undecipherable] Honorable N. Gilman an Esquire