War office 9 th May 1796. Sir. I have the honour to submit for your inspection a draught of a letter to Lord Dorchester made out [strikethrough: conformably] agreeably to the idea presented in the Attorney Generals letter [strikethrough: and those contained] with the second draught [strikethrough: which] I had the pleasure of reading to you on Saturday & [strikethrough: yester] day morning. I believe it is the safest ground to [strikethrough: be] [undecipherable] and the most [strikethrough: friendly] [strikethrough: considerations] I have [strikethrough: it to be] [undecipherable] yet. If you should be of opinion that any thing like the inclosed private instruction to Col^o Lewis might be usefull I shall [strikethrough: have] it corect it and I have it [strikethrough: only] [strikethrough: made out] [strikethrough: sent] with the other Letters. I expect the Senate [strikethrough: will] concur in the [strikethrough: additional] article to the W. treaty to day, and if you [strikethrough: advis] [strikethrough: it] will dispatch Col^o Lewis to-morrow. M^r Murray was out of Town yesterday but is expected to return this morning. I shall see him of course. With the greatest respect, I have the honour to be &c The President