[Docket/endorsement wrapper — partially legible:] [con[undecipherable] / from the Sec[undecipherable] / 30 [undecipherable] 1798] [Entered] [War [undecipherable] / [undecipherable] / [undecipherable] / [undecipherable]] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] No March 1798 it [Copy] Confidential. I und[er]st[and] [undecipherable] so[me] [undecipherable] with d[undecipherable] [undecipherable] with [the] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] in [the] int[o] [con]sidera[tion]. [undecipherable] I [undecipherable] [undecipherable] re[ceive]d ag[ain] [dat]ed [for] the 20th [undecipherable] 23[undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] it The bill for [e]stablishing a [g]overnment b[ei]ng a part of our Missi[ss]ippi Territory having [I] passed the two branches of Congress, it is probable I [a]ff[e]ct the President [may] [t]hink it nec[e]ss[a]ry to write [m]inutes [or] [sub]ject to its provisions [wi]th [the] c[oun]try [degree?] interest[s] [op]erat[i]ons, by a transfer to that quarter of as respectable a portion of the military force as can be spared. A mea[sure] of this nature seems also to be rendered nec[essa]ry by the evident views which the French have [a]d[van]c[ed] [upon] Louisiana, the want of energy in Spain [undecipherable] to [ass]ist her demands, and the almost [moral] certainty of a renewal of intri[gue] and [en]d[eavour] to produce insurrection throughout the extent [of] [our] [own] country [bordering upon] [Louisiana]. In consequence of this [s]t[ate] of affairs, and the critical situation of the United States, as it respects France, I am autho[ri]sed by the the President to direct you to turn your imme- diate attention to this subject, and prepare to put in motion towards the Mississippi the troops of [such] minor posts, as [you] had contemplated to break up. They may be [order]ed to rendezvous at [Natchez]. You will also make arrangements to face down to that [quarter] yourself and signify [to] [your] government when you will be ready to embark, that final instruction[s] [may] be sent you. You will also state [where] th[e] troops [from] the posts you conceive [it may be] drawn towards the Mississippi. [The] pro[g]ress [undecipherable] The [po]st which you proposed [was] or in the n[ei]ghborhood of [Kas]kaskia or Cahokia, and [for] [this] you made a detach- ment last autumn, may be established [and] fortified with [a] [One] company of infantry, and a [de]tach[ment of] artillerists will suffice at present. [As] for [that] obj[ect,] you will therefore lose [no] time in [order]ing the remainder to [W]alnut Hills, and such part of the detach- ment ment under Cap[tain] [undecipherable: Pierce?] as can be sp[a]red from the [Chick]asaw Bluff. [It] is not [im]probable, that the Spaniards [may] have evacuated both Walnut hills and Natchez; [they] may however have only commenced to evacuate or may possibly have received orders, if [they have] evacuated to re-occupy those places. To guard against such an event [to guard] the latter, or against their increa[sing] these garrisons in any manner, or bringing back any [piece] cannon [or] stores which they may have removed, it is thought advisable, that you [send] instructions immediately to the officer[s] commanding at Walnut Hills and Natches to assume, if they have not already done so, such positions as will secure the territory of the United States, from the landing of fresh troops, guns or military [stores] or the bringing back of either [that] [which] have been removed. Should Span[ish] garrisons garrisons exist at either place or both, they may be informed of the establishment of [the] government of the United States over the territory, and that no addition whatever of men or guns will be permitted before the commandants can be instructed touching the same by the President. The enclosed letters will serve to remove any difficulties [which] [may] attend your instructions clashing with [those] [proceeding to them] from the Secretary of [War] to [this] [A]ffice. The troops you may spare or the detachment at Natchez, and that [can] be spared from the Chickasaw Bluff ought to follow your [making] as soon as p[o]ssible. You will [give] their commandants [further] instructions. Let me recommend it to you to make these movements with as little public display as possible, and to conduct conduct them for [h]aving no other purpose [than?] [undecipherable] with [undecipherable] an exchange of garrisons and [an] establishment of posts to [prevent] [intru]sions [on] the Indians[?] [l]ands and [d]ep[re]d[ations] of the United States, and [undecipherable] [undecipherable] The [action] is interest[ing] to [undecipherable] [on] your activity and vigilance to secu[re] and maintain the rights of the United States. [undecipherable] [you] will [take stock] over [the amounts] of the cannon at Pittsburgh and on the [Ohio] and Mississippi, and state any deficien[c]es [that] [ac]cept to be supplied nec[essa]ry to our defense and protection. Push [enlistments] with all the vigor in your power. [The] Paym[aste]r [General] will be with you in a few days after your receiving [this] [letter,] [well to?] pay for the troops [for] the [January?] [undecipherable]. I h[ave] written to the [Q]u[ar]ter [Master] Ge[ner]al to [fur]nish me an estimate of the [pro]visions [expenses] that may be [brou]ght [to] [this] department for the present [undecipherable] you [to enable] me to comply with a reso- lutions of the House of Representatives, [b]efore [you absent him?] in it. It [ought] not to be too confin[ed]. Congress will always be better pleased to find a surplus than to have to provide for a deficiency. I ha[ve] [wri]tten [him] not [if?] timber could be immediately [insp]ec[ted and] build two additional galleys. [A]nd [I] wish [you to] make him also inquire [if] with[in] [this] time cannot be had [a sufficiency] to build four, and to take provisional measures to secure a refusal of it, in case of its being wanted. My engagements are so mul- tiplied and require so much of my time that I must request you to present what you wish for in as condensed a form as consists with clearness. [I] have with great respect I am [&]c your ob[t.]
Brig^d Gen^l Wilkinson. James McHenry