[Hond^ble James McHenry Esquire Secretary of War Philadelphia [Forwarded by Gen^l Gibson] [seal] [written upside down: Hond^ble James McHenry Esq^r Sec^ry of War — Pittsburgh — April 3^d 1797] [docketing: 3 April 1797] 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^l Gibson well informed and Usefull in that department. It was always my opinion that Congress were Starving this Country if Should the French Set on foot any of their projects in our Western frontier, the Indians must infallibly Attach themselves to their old Allies as we have neither force, [strikethrough: proper 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 can [strikethrough: tell him] however that it is questionable Whether the [undecipherable] can Operate any shape or go into operation this form & that he can only know from yourself how it will propose. — The Amount which you put into my hands is Secured in a Satisfactory manner & lent has been Allowed on you directions. — 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 — Well an event extraordineary of the talks of Vaporism, Satisfy the Jacobins of France & this country! — to must the Secretary have a reputation for our laws? I write again to the font for prison John, but I cannot go further. Yours very Sincerely James Ross Hon^ble M^r McHenry —