[The Secretary &c.] Sir, 527 Your letters of the 10, 12 and 13 instant, with their enclosures, came all by the last Mail to Alexandria; and were received by me on Saturday morning. — The contents of such parts as require it, shall be noticed. — The greatest, and what appears to me to be an insuperable difficulty in the way of running and marking the boundary line between the United States and the Cherokee tribe of Indians, the ensu- ing [undecipherable: Autumn] (which is certainly the most agreeable Season for a work of this sort) is, that no Commissioners are, or can be appointed to superintend the same, in the recess of the Senate; which, unless extra causes shall render it expedient, will not happen before the first Monday in December. — This cir- cumstance in addition to the seasons afign- ed in your letters, renders a postponement of this measure [undecipherable] unavoida- ble. — But that it may not be delayed beyond a convenient time [undecipherable], the Indians may be requested to come instructed to arrange matters for carrying the measure into effect [underline: at that period]. — Their interest & the [undecipherable: tranquility] of our Frontier requires that this line should not only be run (with as little loss of time as can possibly be avoided) but be very distinctly marked also; that ignorance may no longer be offered as a plea for transgressions on either side. and to ascertain in the interim, whether Gen. Pickering will serve as a Commissioner. — I hope, & expect that the proposed visit from the Cherokee Chiefs, will be managed so, as not to take place before the [undecipherable] of [undecipherable] — I have already, been incommoded, at this place, by a visit of several days, from a party of [undecipherable] Cutawbas; & should wish while I am in this retreat, to avoid a repetition of such guests. — The reason why I have [undecipherable] November, is, that between [undecipherable] the latter end of August I shall repair to the Seat of Government; — remain there until between the middle and last of September, and then return to this place again for my family. — The extract which you enclosed in your letter of the 10, from the Secretary of the Treasury, declaring his inability to furnish mo- ney for carrying on Commerce with the Indian Tribes, renders the appointment of Agents for that purpose, at present, altogether improper — and whether [the] Act to regulate Trade and "intercourse with the Indian Tribes, and to "preserve Peace on the Frontier" does, or does not go fully to the points which are enu- merated in your letter of the 12, there seems, under existing circumstances, no expedient or proper [undecipherable] to execute the requisites of the above Act. and the duties enjoined on the late Superintendent of Indian affairs in the Southwestern Territory, which have be- come [undecipherable] the admission of it as a [underline: State,] [undecipherable] the Ser- vice under temporary regulations, & pro- per instructions, of [undecipherable] Henley or M^r. Dea- more, or both, as the case shall, after duly considering it, appear to require. — But if this expedient is resorted to, M^r. Dea more ought to retire [undecipherable]. — My ideas with respect to the most [undecipherable] mentioned in the 36 [undecipherable] Separate, have already (in a former letter) been conveyed to you; and your Instructions to M^r Fox does, I perceive, accord therewith. but lest I may not perfectly understand a- nother part of them, which relates to Timber & Plank, which certainly come under the description of "Perishable articles" in the Act discontinuing three of the Frigates, and directing [undecipherable] of the materials as are perishable to [undecipherable]. I shall give it as my de- cisive opinion, that all Wood not neces- sary for the retired Frigates; and the one wanted for [undecipherable]; except the large pieces which have been obtained with difficulty, at a heavy expence; & which would [undecipherable] an- swer for ordinary Vessels, & would sell for little; ought to be sold, agreeably to the direction of the aforesaid Act. — If they are reserved, Secu- red, from the weather; and persons employed to take care of them, the expences & importu- nities will exceed all calculation. — and be was- ted, or embezzled notwithstanding. — Mount Vernon 15^th July 1796 Go: Washington [Washington July 15^th 1796]