Canandaigua 13 May 1796 Sir, It will probably be [undecipherable: interesting] to hear the situation of the British at Niagara. I had occasion in the course of my business to find Mr Parrish the Interpreter for the Six Nations and to [undecipherable: Buffalo] Creek & Niagara on business with the Indians — He informs me the British are making every preparation to leave the Garrison & have already dismounted their cannon & [undecipherable] some of their Military Stores on their own side of the River into their new Magazine which they have built. The British he says expect the Americans think a bout the [undecipherable] disputes, by [undecipherable] Country and heard much said respecting the [undecipherable: boundary] which was coming to [undecipherable] in the same place. It is now commanded by a Major and as they [undecipherable] a Captains [undecipherable] was to [undecipherable] the Post was a little degrading British pride. Mr. Parrish's business was in some measure to see the [undecipherable] relative to the [undecipherable: Connecticut] Company going forward, [undecipherable] they were strongly opposed to it. I had some [undecipherable] in regard to this business — The [undecipherable] these people are [undecipherable] in [undecipherable] to [undecipherable] [undecipherable] to me is [undecipherable] ground, as that tract of Country where [undecipherable] has been [undecipherable] by the general government to the State of [undecipherable: Connecticut] And the Six Nations in their late treaty with — [undecipherable: Pickering] they engaged to not disturb the people of the United States in the peaceble possession of [undecipherable] lands, excepting those pointed out in the Treaty, which are clearly defined and separate from those before [undecipherable], and I hope to take such means as to not have any compulsory measures necessary in Order to [undecipherable] the rightful owners in the quiet and peaceable [undecipherable: possession] of their Land. The Indians appear very [undecipherable: amicably] disposed toward the [undecipherable: settlement] where I live but a new settlement of white people going forward into the Indian Country to make a new settlement, generally makes [undecipherable] at first, as they are jealous of being driven off from their Country, where [undecipherable] [undecipherable] are [undecipherable] as that of [undecipherable] [undecipherable]. The people in this Country are highly pleased to [undecipherable] Congress have made [undecipherable] since the [undecipherable] Treaty into effect, and I know of no part of the [undecipherable] they ought in reality to be more grateful. Should any thing of moment transpire I shall not fail to give you the earliest information. With every respect I am Sir y^r most Ob^t Ser^t [undecipherable: Israel Chapin] [Copy of a letter to [undecipherable] McHenry Esq^r [undecipherable] May 18 1796] [undecipherable] McHenry Esq^r