[Extract of a letter from the Secretary of State to the Secretary of War, dated] Philadelphia October 14, 1796. D^r Sir, "When I was at Oneida in 1794, I considered it as an evil that the person (Wemple) employed and paid by the United States as a Blacksmith to work for the Oneida & Stockbridge Indians, should be engaged in a private concern that occupied most of his time; but especially that he should keep liquors for sale, in the very heart of the Oneida settlement, and when they were resorting daily to their Smith still, and repeatedly to get tools made or repaired. It was much complained of by the Indians, that it was extremely difficult to get the Smith to do their work; and not without such delays as rendered his services of trifling value. The Superintendent, Captain Chapin, removed him, and appointed his Brother, whom he represented as bearing a much better character. But I am lately very satisfactorily informed that the Brother is treading in the same steps. The father of these Men also lives there, and from his familiar knowledge of the Indian tongue and manners, and his own disposition, can promote all their vices, without contributing any thing to their improvement in the useful arts of civil life. "Considering then how little service is rendered by Wemple, the present Smith, and the real mischiefs produced by his residence and keeping a dram shop in the midst of the Oneidas, I cannot withhold from you my opinion that the interest of the Indians and of the United States will be promoted, by dismissing the Smith altogether; and instead thereof to direct the Superintendent to employ, periodically, a faithful Smith from some neighbouring Settlement, who should come to Oneida, and make all the repairs &c that shall be wanted. In the intervals, the tools might be committed to the care of a sober Chief, or of one of the young Men employed by the Friends to reside at Oneida. — Probably these young Friends would at the request of Captain Chapin, engage a Smith occasionally." [Copy of Secretary of State's letter Oct^r 14, 1796 — Cap^t Chapin at Oneida]