On the dividing ridge between the waters of Duck and Cumberland rivers 4 June 1797. Sir. I received a few days past yours of the 20^th of April with the laws of the last session of Congress; and this day I received from Col. Henley a copy of the intercepted letter sent on to you in care of M^r Byers. The letter is intercepted at a time which may eventually be productive of much real service to the United States, by an exposure of those dirty intriguers and their villainous attempts to involve the government in difficulties and distress. — When I accepted the trust confided to me, I counted on much opposition, and determined to surmount the whole; I find that opposition more powerful than I expected, but I find too that my o- wn authority [undecipherable] it and relying with confi- dence on the approbation of the President I will [undecipherable] the consequences what they may. I received a letter of the 11^th may from a confidential correspondent, who has long [lived among] the [Cherokee] nation, who has a family and much property there, and who speaks their lan- guage admirably, he says "althi[n]gs was quiet in the Creeks, they long much to see you, they are informed of what you are doing, and they seem much satisfied at your proce- edings" If embarrassments should [undecipherable] arising from unforeseen difficulties I shall be under the necessity to ask permission to have a small fund in addition to what I am now re- stricted. I must have a regular intercourse between the tribes, and I contemplate an Indian post, I can get [hands?] on whom I can rely, at a low price to perform this service comfort[ably]. If Chisholm or any man of his character in the present conjunction of affairs should [be] wicked enough to come among the Indians, he must be instantaneously removed. You have only to give directions, and I wish to see them executed, perhaps special instruction to me may be deemed the most advisable. Were prog[ress] being but slow, it is very difficult to learn the rid[ge], en- went our [way] from Nashville, and found the ridge somewhat short of 40 miles, and are going eastwardly, as soon as we find the point 40 miles above Nashville, we shall need more way, we are now together and no disagreement among the [commissioners], We shall [undecipherable] the [Cherokees] as soon as we can, and leave the [Chehaws] [undecipherable] like the fate. Where one or more of us can easily perform that business at that season. I wish you would direct one of your young men to send me from time to time newspapers and such pamphlets as may be worthy of notice, I wish gladly pay the expense — I am so much in the woods, that I am almost cut off from soc[iety], and as I shall be to this life for some time to come, they will amuse me. I wish you to mention me respectfully to the President to [offer] him my sincerest wishes for his health and happiness, and believe me yourself with sincere regard — [your] [f]or your ob[edient servant] The Hon[orable] James McHenry Sec[retary] of War.