[Cover endorsement:] 1795 May 7^th enter[ed] 1. [undecipherable] General James Robertson — Mero District War Office May 9, 1795. 813 In a conference at Philadelphia, on the 10^th of July last, between the Secretary of War (General Knox) and Piomingo, George Robert Little — Chickasaw chiefs, the Secretary made the following declaration to the Chiefs. "Besides the good now to be given, your father the President, as a mark of his affection and regard, will continue to give you good to the amount of three thousand dollars per annum." To make up that sum, the cost of the transportation might properly be added to the price of the good. But in the present instance this has not been so much regarded as to make up a careful assortment of articles for [our] friend the Chickasaw. An invoice is inclosed, with the prices annexed. As purchased at Nashville, I find their off-invoice have been about five thousand dollars. As these good are a free gift, and not furnished in consequence of any [undecipherable: stipulation of a] Treaty (since which case the nation would have [an] right to dispose of them as [undecipherable] fit) they may be distributed in the manner in which you think they will produce the most beneficial effects. [Ac. No. 92.8] If distributed all at once, and divided among all the people, the portion of each individual will be so feeble as to make no useful impression. [undecipherable], supplied to the Chiefs, to nations, [undecipherable] [the] way distributed has appeared to give great satisfaction. The Chickasaws, like other Indian [nations, are] divided into tribes. It [undecipherable] be proposed to the chiefs of each to [receive and] distribute their respective portions among [the most] needy of their tribe, who are on [account] [undecipherable] impressed themselves by [undecipherable] or [other] means [undecipherable] the Chiefs give while hands, always [come] to be remembered. If this idea should be adopted, then the [undecipherable] of the good [can] be delivered [at once] to the Chiefs of the [undecipherable] tribes are ready to receive [them]. But as [undecipherable] ment must be reserved for contingent [de]mands, until the next annual [supply] is due and appears [that there will] always [be occasion] for [such] [undecipherable], [perhaps] [it] [would] [undoubtedly be] [undecipherable] with the Indian nations [northwest] [of the Ohio], [and if] [a portion] not even [parts] of [this] [undecipherable] required to [form] [the] [undecipherable] [who] [proportion] of the good now to be [undecipherable] should be reserved for contingent demands, you are best judge. If however some additional [supply] shall eventually be necessary, you will order them [3.13] them to be procured as heretofore. But it is hoped and expected that these will be very small. The agent of the United [States] will be instructed in what manner to procure the additional [supplies] which circumstances shall in your opinion render indispensible. The agent (Col. [Henley?]) will also have instructions to provide for the receiving [and keeping?] of the supplies, as well as [of] those now to be forwarded as well as of others [that] may be purchased on the spot. But the [undecipherable], your order will from time to time be requisite. c am respectfully Sir, your most ob^t Servant— Timothy Pickering P.S. A copy of this letter will be [forwarded?] by me to Governor [Blount?]. General James Robertson, Mero District.