[169] St. [undecipherable] 20 Novem^r 1797 I have lately been excited by the Agents [undecipherable] to receive the [undecipherable] of it and [undecipherable]. As [undecipherable] settle [undecipherable] in, you have a complete [undecipherable] the account [undecipherable]. [undecipherable] I now [undecipherable] with me and continues to [undecipherable] to himself in a [undecipherable] and most [undecipherable] manner to the [undecipherable] and [undecipherable] and the affairs [undecipherable] that the [undecipherable] on this river. Think of the situation of things as he [undecipherable] and will unquestionably aid me throughout in [undecipherable] I cannot [undecipherable] the conversation with him and by [undecipherable] found and have had it transcribed. [undecipherable] necessarily the [undecipherable] I [undecipherable] how capable they are of [undecipherable] to ruin our government and should they want to [undecipherable] — I can [undecipherable] speak of [undecipherable] been more once a confidence than any word I know of [undecipherable] they [undecipherable], when we speak of that class of our fellow I [undecipherable] a copy of the letter from M^r [undecipherable] to M^r Thomas, if this gentleman [had?] a copy of this letter must have a very peculiar turn of mind, if he cannot [undecipherable] his conduct must [undecipherable] to the [undecipherable] of [undecipherable]. I send you his [undecipherable] to the [undecipherable]. Therein he [undecipherable] would not serve the Government upon the terms [undecipherable] him. The officers you [undecipherable] have [undecipherable], as I have [undecipherable] relied on to fulfill the orders of the Government and [undecipherable] with zeal and fidelity at only [undecipherable]. If that gentleman or any other believe the [undecipherable] St. Mary's the proper place for the residence of the [undecipherable] that the affairs of the Indians can be better managed than by a residence in the [undecipherable] and by visiting the their towns from time to time [undecipherable] that the river [undecipherable] is a suitable place for a commercial intercourse [undecipherable] for the objects contemplated by the Government. It [undecipherable] them to be cautious how they [undecipherable], or they might be suspected of selfish [undecipherable] and incapable of sacrificing the [undecipherable] good to their own [undecipherable]. There is unquestionably some difference between [undecipherable] his [undecipherable] residence, with a handsome salary, to be [undecipherable] agent [undecipherable] with some [undecipherable]. A residence among the Indians [undecipherable] the [undecipherable] [commission?] [Secretary of War]