Now I have all 9 pages. Let me compile the full transcription. [Cover: No 384 Cong. / Letter / Sec^y War, with / Statement rel: trade with / Indians — / Dec 15^th 1795 / Series 2 / Doc^d 68] War Office; Dec [undecipherable] 1795. Sir, By direction of the President of the United States, I have the honor to present herewith; — [strikethrough: a report of the [undecipherable] made in providing [undecipherable] for] a report of the measures taken for opening trade with the Indians: — and invite Timothy Pickering The Vice President of the U. States & Pres^d. of the Senate: [Enclosure/s] Report on measures taken for opening a trade with the Indians. December [undecipherable] 1795 [A Report of the Secretary of War of the Measures taken for opening a trade with the Indians.] The situation of the Six Nations [undecipherable] either wholly by the [undecipherable] of citizens of the United States; or on one side by them, and on the other by the British of Upper Canada; and by both in near neighborhoods; found to exclude them from the [undecipherable] proposed to be made, of commencing a trade on the principles of furnishing cheap supplies to the Indians: for the familiar intercourse between them and the Whites, would have subjected the public to continual impositions against which no checks were provided. Peace with the Tribes northwest of the river Ohio was only in a train of negotiation! They, of course, were not in a condition to participate in the projected trade. It remained then to make the [undecipherable] with the Southern Tribes. And because the small appropriation for this object seemed intended [undecipherable] as an experiment, it was desirable to make it with as little [undecipherable] as possible. For this, among other reasons, the sum appropriated was divided unequally; and more than two thirds destined for opening a trade with the Creeks, to whom the goods could be conveyed by Sea: The remainder was assigned for the trade with the Cherokees [and?] Chickasaws. The remote situation of the Chickasaws would render either of the two trading posts but of feeble and only contingent use to them. To accommodate the Creeks, [undecipherable: probable reading: Colerain] on the river St. Mary's, was chosen, on the best information to be obtained, as the most eligible situation for a trading post; because it was easy of access to us, there being depth of water for Sea vessels to go to the post; and sufficiently so to the Creeks, especially of the Lower Towns. For the purpose of supplying the Cherokees and Chickasaws it was [undecipherable] that [undecipherable: probable reading: Tellico] Blockhouse, within the country of the Cherokees, would be a convenient station. It is already a military post, with a small garrison of regular troops. As such it will be secure; as advanced of the settlements of the white people it will be convenient; and the Indians are already accustomed to resort thither for friendly conferences and negotiations. Notwithstanding, lest there should be any solid objection to that station, the final choice of the trading post in that quarter, is referred to Governor Blount; with a reliance on his knowledge and judgement to fix it in the place most suitable for affecting the true objects of the establishment. It is obvious that neither the Chickasaws nor Choctaws especially the latter, can be much benefited by these arrangements: nor can they be well accommodated, until at least one trading post for each be established on the Mississippi. [undecipherable] circumstances did not admit of taking back [undecipherable] the small quantity of goods appropriated to this trade would not admit of any further division than that above mentioned. It has been unfortunate that this trade could not have been earlier commenced; but [undecipherable] procuring the goods necessary for [undecipherable] Wayne's treaty, and the annuities due to the Chickasaws, with [undecipherable] accidentally demanded for the Choctaws and Chickasaws, by [undecipherable] from these tribes, the merchants' stores were so drained, that the requisite assortments, especially of the articles most important for the Indian trade, could not be obtained, either at Philadelphia, New York or Baltimore; and the [undecipherable] was obliged to await the arrival of the Fall Ships. Then, as soon as the purchases could be made, and the very trusty persons necessary as factors could be procured, the goods were put off, under their care, to their respective destinations; they are now on their way. The Secretary of War begs leave to remark; that the annuities stipulated to be paid to the several tribes of Indians on the borders of the United States, are the following: To the Six Nations and Associates, to the value of . . . 4,500 dollars. To the Chickasaws . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,000. To the Cherokees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5,000. To the Creeks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,500. To the Wyandots, Delawares, & several other tribes northwest of the Ohio, agreeably to } General Wayne's late treaty, . . . . . . . . . . . } 9,500. whole amount . . . . 23,500. — To which may be added for contingent demands . . . 6,500. — 30,000. making a total of thirty thousand dollars. [undecipherable] to be regularly furnished [undecipherable] they will be [undecipherable] and [undecipherable] demanded; and always in [undecipherable]. If the [undecipherable] of Congress, [undecipherable] with [a?] continuance and extension of [undecipherable] [measures?], [undecipherable] the experiment is now so [undecipherable] [undecipherable] the [undecipherable] of [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] All which is respectfully submitted to the Senate of the United States. [Department of] War, December 15. 1795. Timothy Pickering. [financial table, largely undecipherable]