[Cover notation: June 22 - 1797 / D. Steller acct. of La Chaise / a French agent.] Carlisle June 22^d 1797 Sir Whilst I was in Pittsburgh last winter there was at that place a General La Sharge A Frenchman who I believe to be a spy — I have him say (at a time a report was in circulation that Cannady had revolted) that the french would be in possession of Cannady and Louisiana before two year And that they would then speak to Congress or boards to that effect — And I have also heard from [undecipherable] that he could raise all the Indians in favour of the French — M. La Sharge was bound for Louisville And told me he Should Stay at General [undecipherable: Clarkes] who he (La Sharge) had appointed a Major General in the French Service in 1793 or 4 — And who he told me is still in French Pay and all the other officers of the Legion — La Sharge also told me that the appointments had been disapproved of by the French Government at one time but that [they were] afterwards [ra Ratified — As Ensign Smith passed through this place I enquired of him if he had seen M^r La Sharge, And he inform'd me he had And that he believed him to be in Kentucky for the purpose of Contaminating the minds of the people And that he was employed by M^r [undecipherable] as he (E Smith) had sufficient [undecipherable: proof] of his drawing a draft or [undecipherable] in favour of A. M. Belch A Merchant in [undecipherable]. On M^r [undecipherable] in Philadelphia which draft was [undecipherable: Accepted] & paid — Ensign Smith also informed me that he heard La Sharge Say that in case of An [undecipherable: Irruption] with this Country & France that he (La Sharge) would bring on his thousand Creek Indians, And raise All the [undecipherable] of N. Carolina And Georgia which he [undecipherable] could easily do from [undecipherable] — I beg [undecipherable] will excuse me for the liberty I have taken of communicating these suspected hints which probably you are in possession of — I have the honour to be, With every Sentiment of Esteem Sir your Most Obedient An Humble [signature] John [undecipherable] [undecipherable] U. S. [undecipherable] [undecipherable] James McPhinney [undecipherable] of [undecipherable]