[Left margin, rotated:] Dep[artmen]t of War / April [4] 1798 James McHenry [undecipherable: Recd.?] 7^th April 1798. Directed to be filed 30. May 1798 [stamp: GAr] Indian [undecipherable] — [undecipherable: tions?] 1798 War department, April 4. 1798. Sir, I have had the honor to receive your Excellency's letters of the 18^th and 25^th of February last and the several papers to which they refer. The late Murders and retaliations which these and other letters give an account of and the conduct of some of the [undecipherable] towards Mr. Millon, have occasioned much uneasiness and pain to the President. I need scarcely wish that a system could be devised and practised which would effectually [undecipherable] the repetition of such Murders, but with every good disposition upon your part to aid in the detection of those Offenders, and every exertion on that of the Superintendent of Indian Affairs, I fear we must [undecipherable: content?] to calculate upon the frequent recurrence of such evils in the present state of things, and can only flatter ourselves with mitigating their effect, and by prudent measures averting from the frontier general hostilities as often as exemplary punishment cannot be inflicted on the criminals [stamp: GAr] It is reported that [undecipherable] has lately [undecipherable] these acts and that he has [undecipherable] military protection to the Inhabitants as far as the force under his command would admit. [undecipherable] nevertheless to be well known to you, that when a Citizen or Indian is determined upon mischief or revenge, it is not possible always to discover their intention or hinder them from executing it by any number whatever of regular troops or militia in the power of government to support or to interpose a frontier. On this however you may rely, that it is the president's order, that I should employ on the frontiers of Georgia, at all times, as great a proportion of the troops as can be spared from other quarters of the Union equally demanding their presence, and that I have been always guided by this principle in their distribution. You mention certain points which the State has much at heart. It would answer no purpose, as it relates to their adjustment, for you and I to discuss them; but I can say to you with truth, that I will afford me real pleasure to see them soon and satisfactorily settled. You will no doubt fully appreciate a circumstance which may be intitled to some attention. Should the Convention, which I understand is to meet in May, fix upon conditions for a cession of territory to the United States, and vest no discretionary power respecting it in any body of Men, it may serve to protract the Cession and require another call and the renewed deliberations of another Convention. Whether, and by what means such an event ought to be guarded against, I presume will be duly considered. Congress have now before them a Bill for improving the Militia System. I shall use the occasion to suggest a provision which will meet the case of the Adjutant General and I hope it will not be overlooked. I have the honor to be with great respect, Your Excellency's most obedient Servant, James McHenry His Excellency James Jackson.