Near Downings Town 29^th Sep^t 1799 Sir M^r Benjamin Hawkins principal residen[t] agent for the South Western Indians has established runners through the different nations within his jurisdiction for the more certain and expeditious discharge of his duties. One of these will pass from the Chicasaw and Choctaw nations once every three weeks to the little Turkey town — and thence to Telico in Tenessee and to Col Guithers head Quarters on the Oconee. M^r Hawkins has appointed as resident agent to the Choctaws a M^r Michel. You will be pleased to obtain a know-ledge of [strikethrough: this complement Station and make arrang-]ments with him to forward your letters by these runners. I am Sir with respect. your most Obed^t and Hum^t Serv^t James McHenry [Captⁿ Tignion *] [* Commanding [undecipherable] our troops at Natches 1799 immediately — the evacuation of the Spaniards. J.S. McHenry [undecipherable]] [Verso docket, largely undecipherable; partial reading: "[undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] / [undecipherable] Septr [undecipherable] / received this [undecipherable] / [undecipherable] [undecipherable] / [undecipherable] / (10)"]