To His Excellency General Wilkinson, Commander in Chief of the United States. The Petition of Leith, Shepherd & Duff, Humbly Humbly Sheweth, That your Petitioners having had full confidence in the Government of the United States, and that no partiality would be shown, betwixt Citizens of the United States and British Subjects, as agreeable to the solemn Treaty of Amity and Commerce, betwixt these two Nations — have put themselves to a very great expence in making arrangements for trading with the Indians especially at the Ottawa Towns where they have built Several houses. Humbly prayeth That it may please your Excellency to allow the said house to Still carry on the trade at that post. And having understood that the Character of their Clerk there (John Mc Donald) has been vilefied; they beg you will favour them with the charges laid against him in writing, and they shall make it their study to bring & as soon as possible to a trial before the Courts of this country and that untill such time as this is done, or untill they find another Gentleman of indisputable Character, one of the said house (by name James Leith) shall remain at that place to carry on the Trade. That your Petitioners have always had a Licence from the Governor, for the said John Mc Donald, as for other Traders at different posts, and that it is their entire wish & duty to abide strictly by the Laws of the Country. Your Petitioners not having their Licence for trading at this place, inclose you the Clerk of the Courts receipt for the same. Your Petitioners understand that their Representative at the Ottawa Towns, is charged with having bought Horses from the Indians — if it should so be the case, We your Petitioners promise that they shall be delivered back to the same Indians from whom purchased, on the arrival of the said James Leith at that place. Therefore your Petitioners solicit that your Excellency will be pleased to direct, that the Agent for Indian Affairs make immediate enquiry into the merits of your Petitioners Case, and report the same. And your Petitioners as in duty bound will ever pray (signed) Leith, Shepherd & Duff Fort Wayne 15.^th October 1797.