Pittsburgh 3^d April 1797. — Dear Sir Gen^o Gibson is summoned to Attend the Federal Court as a Witness, probably you will be making Indian Arrangements this Spring. If so, you will find Gen^o Gibson well informed and Usefull in that department. It was always my opinion that Congress were Starving this business. If Should the French set on foot any of their projects in our Western frontier, the Indians must [underline: infallibly] Attach themselves to their old Allies as we have neither force, [undecipherable: pro*te agents], government, nor any thing else to prevent it. — If this gentleman should be invested with any Commission of the description which has heretofore been contemplated I am persuaded you will find his industry, & Fidelity equal to that of any of your Officers & much more than [strikethrough: equal to] any compensation which you can Allow him by law. I have [strikethrough: told him] however that it is questionable Whether the business can assume any shape or go into operation this season & that he can only know from yourself how it will progress. — The Account which you put into my hands is settled in a satisfactory manner & [undecipherable] has been allowed as you directed. — Not a word of News here, & from the public papers it would seem that even at the Seat of Government you must be in considerable uncertainty respecting our European peace. — Will an essay extraordinary of the tribe of Virginia, satisfy the Jacobins of France & this country! — Or must the Directory have a negative upon our laws? I write again to the first for peace sake, but I cannot go further. Yours very Sincerely James Ross Hon^ble M^r McHenry. —