Pensacola Jan^ry 7^th 1797 Sir, The Forming Treaties held, or now in prosecution of the ability of the Choctaw & Chickasaw Tribes, & more than half of the Creek, within these few years to the United States has deeply affected my feelings. But I think I am not wrong in getting that the loss of the Friendship of Indians, strip may more real influence than any other Men on the Continent. All the benefits they have derived & enjoyed from their having been the only persons able to render years past supplied them with goods, & who they has one other very beneficial to the Subjects of those provinces. Should would long since have been a more maintained and I not been for its favourable operation in keeping the Indians in a State of perfect harmony with the Subjects and the Spanish Government in these Dominions — during the early steps of the majority of an Indian Establishment by the Govt. of Spain overture this almost trade advantage now effectually established the Creek Choctaw & Merchant in the Spanish Dominions — But apparently being better judges about their Interests they have sacrificed them by their Treaty with the United States without any Stipulations for the indemnification they are bound to make those persons by Virtue of what there is evidently an agreement, the means I believe and plan very well known, that an inducement to continue under the Governments should be selling them to receive in favour of the United States after receiving an adequate Compensation for the Bills — This appears to me an object of importance to the Nation and one effort with is more towards putting the Agents in a situation to claim the right of the Law than also the method established— for this purpose I, in the rules now already plans that can be adopted for a great object, in that it is a matter of that some importance though with advantages of magnitude to the United States, & which if not firmly seized may be requisite to later especially if France should declare war against the United States oppose Chiltons to act as Pursuasnt of the Claims. Both should immediately be called on from appearances in the position in which I have place them — Continues how would be Compelled to embrace the views of the Government — Affairs Management of the Debt of the United States, particularly Whitman's Factors, & of Indian Factors in the Nations contracted by the Packs of the Company, might readily amount to 200,000 Dollars than can be transferred to the different Factors of the United States upon appearance being given for the payment of the amount in two funds & equal payments in addition being stopped from the means payments from the United States — The Charges could be affected with very little difficulty, & and minds the Government would put the considerable Co-arrangements on the Practicability of the Creditors of the practicability of obtaining from The Result really necessary with ease. I should this plan at the approval there is another which which might be thought more economical — a part of said might be obtained from the Indians in payment of the amount due with the Nations, this was often done by the British Government & was obliged to be by every Individual of the Nation. We are pretty equally, from high by high, must be called the fairest bargain that can be made. The Means would this require a guarantee for such a treaty among Creditors them not exceeding thirty Dollars apiece; which is Considered little enough to strategy the Debts, liquidate the Indian, accrue upon the managers, expense Operating for the End — But it is to be clearly understood that should the Indians refuse to agree to this Caption the first plan is to be adopted — This first plan as I find lives will be the most accessible for the United States — but at the same time from the Natural Politics of the Indians, might have a very fine effect on the minds of Misrepresentation to them by self Minded persons, which I am of opinion might be the Case. I ought therefore to be tried above the Favour of the first, unless contrary factors it & a more favourable opportunity taken by the Union to reimburse itself by the same means — I need not observe to you the Necessity of a speedy answer on the Subject — if I had persons from you the State of Opinion the object tonight be accomplished at any rate be explicit, & I write with your approbation let your persons be brought — The Stores with Supplies much even after the assumption of this Debt — they having too little Buildings and other Effects of no value but to themselves upwards of 40,000 Dolls Signed John McKee To The Honble James McHenry Esq^r Secretary of War