[Message to Little Turtle. (10^th Dec: 1796 Copy [undecipherable] [undecipherable] nov. 1765 For General Wilkinson.] Message to Me-she-ki-na-quah or Little Turtle, sent by William Wells, Indian Interpreter. Brother, The President your father has instructed me to write to you, and to tell you that he takes you by the hand in friendship, as a proof of which he sends you a Dress Coat, a Rifle, Saddle and Bridle such as he gives to the Chieftains and Warriors your Brothers who have been here to visit him. He has also instructed me to convey to you a father and more lasting Testimony of his affection, which he flatters himself will convince you how much he loves you — It is a paper which will ensure to you a faithful return of the friendship of the distant Warriors. What he asks from you is fidelity to your promises given in the Treaty, your endeavours to prevent your young men from doing injury to that frontier, fidelity in their property, and your friendship to him and his Warriors and the United States. Given at the War Office of the United States the 10^th day of December 1796. (signed) James McHenry [Attest] [undecipherable signature] [undecipherable] N^o 5