[copy] Fort Knox 11 Sep^t 1796 Sir, I have the honor to enclose your Excellency an extract of a letter received from Cap^t Pike the 9 instant by a George Drewyer & one private whom he sends forward to Head Quarters. from that letter I was induced to dive into the merits of the Council therein mentioned and after some time I obtained the deposition of James Belong on the subject which accompanies this — the Frenchman therein mentioned is a M^r Volney, who came to this place with letters of recommendation from Col^t Lagent, it was said he was a gentleman travelling for his own satisfaction and that he had published one or two volumes of them — he was bound from this to the Illinois, but of a sudden he changed his route and said he should go immediately to Greenville by the way of Fort Washington and then to Detroit, and accordingly he left this about the 9 ultimo — James Johnson Cap^t before whom I took the above deposition declared to me yesterday, he certainly believes the United States had but very few friends in this country. M^r Honorary Rivet & M^r Gamblin one of the justices of the County — a Frenchman have been through the villages after days since taking down the number of inhabitants for what purpose I have not learned, nor has M^r Johnson aforementioned whom I believe to be a good man — I have the honor of writing your Excellency the 21 ult by Duncan, which I have been informed from Kaskaskias that Col^t Col^t has changed his route by Michilimackinac and is finding our troops were at that place and that they had sold off all their goods for ready money. One of the men Cap^t Pike sent on came to this port very sick & still remains unwell — I have therefore thought it most prudent to send forward this with some papers that came enclosed to me from Cap^t Pike by Henry Pea, express. The before mentioned George Drewyer has a letter directed to your Excellency & as he is not certain of an immediate recovery, or but what he may take sick again on the road — I advised him to send it forward by this express, but he says Cap^t Pike ordered him to deliver it himself & that he will pursue his journey as fast as possible. I have the honor herewith to enclose a return of Depositions of provisions by which your Excellency will find the Commissary at this Post is in arrears for beef and I have one hand — With perfect respect & esteem I have the honor to remain Sir [signed] T. Pasteur Cap^t & Sub Inspector & Commd^t Fort Knox. P.S.— I have this moment been informed by M^r Johnson & the bearer M^r Pea, that one Fields, who passed this place this day on his way to Kentucky, says, the general report on the Mississippi is, that the French will be in possession of this Territory in less than two years. It is also said that 7000. French troops are now at or near Orleans, & that that Country is to be given up to them by the Spaniards. [signed] T. Pasteur