War office 15 Febry. 1797. Dear Sir In one of the last letters which I received from the late Major Gen. Wayne he informed me that the British had erected and garrisoned a work on the Isle de Bois Blanc, and requested instructions how to act, suggesting, that our submitting to its being so occupied without remonstrance might in time be construed into a relinquishment of our right to it. The same intrusion has also been stated to me by Brig. Gen. Wilkinson, with the addition that he has understood that the post has been taken by the special order of the British government. Being in company with M Liston yesterday evening, I took occasion to mention to him the situation of the Island [undecipherable] a British garrison, subjoining, that as I [undecipherable] intended as soon as I had [undecipherable] to employ [him?] and the Secy of State on the subject. To this he replied that he hoped the matter could be settled without its [undecipherable] taking a diplomatic course that he would rather the vacation should appear a voluntary thing, and that if I would be so obliging as to give him a memorandum of the fact he would immediately write to Canada respecting it. I send you the note and memorandum I have contemplated, that you may be apprised of the subject should it become necessary to [undecipherable] open it to you for discussion. I am D^r Sir your ob^t James McHenry [15 February 1797 Mr. Pickering. To be entered in the book of private letters.] [Secy of State] --- War office 15 Febry. 1797. Sir I have the honour, in compliance with your request, to inclose a memorandum of the fact which I suggested to you yesterday evening in conversation for the use which you were pleased to signify you would make of it. With very great respect, I have the honour to be Sir your most ob^t. Robert Liston Esq^r Minister Plen^y &. James McHenry War office 15 Febry 1797. Memorandum. I have been informed that a block house has been erected on the Isle de Bois Blanc, which lays in the strait or river between Lake Erie & Lake St. Clair, by his Britannick Majesty's troops, and endowed with a garrison. It is also [undecipherable] stated that the ship channel runs between the said Island and the Canada shore, and that vessels drawing a few feet water only can pass on its west side. This channel then, considered as the navigable communication through the strait, leaves the said Island in the territory of the U.S. J.McH.