Natchez June 18. 1798 Sir, I have received with the receipt of my letter of M^c 8^th proximo, on the 14^th Army by Elias B. Smith, with instructions from General Wilkinson and the assurance that I shall be at liberty — and they mustard set forth from General Wilkinson under date of [undecipherable] April, and so far as they are applicable to the existing State of things in the circle of my own and, shall be scrupulously and impartially obeyed — We have had a variety of reports here respecting the intentions of the French aiming an attack upon this Country, and at one time, that they had a considerable military force landed at Batchela and at Mobile — I dispatched to find out in that quarter immediately who have returned only 5 or 6 days since, and inform me that there is no truth in the report, yet not as the quarter from which we are the most likely to be apprized of a thrale, so I shall guard with the most vigilance — M^c Clerk went from here the 6^th April, to announce his departure in attention to and marking the line of [undecipherable] — it has come and, and cuts about [undecipherable] Miles and is thirty miles South of this place — On the 20^th of May, Lieut. Piper came up to the line, bringing with [undecipherable] the Formalities to the [undecipherable] — Officers of the Spanish Army, the [undecipherable] Said was to [undecipherable] take with [undecipherable] as [undecipherable] — But he returned to [undecipherable] on the first instance taking with him his Officers, and leaving the direction of the buildings with Lt. M^c Williams, D^r Sear, Captain Officer Sheriff, and McPherson as [undecipherable] — The military were not there being a number [undecipherable] commanded by Lieutenant M^c [undecipherable] the Soldiers who when left to the uninspected exercise their own judgments, are in the majority along the [undecipherable] prosperity of the [undecipherable] in most of the Hills, and rarely look for the laws and Officers, wells, and in this Country. They are and have to [undecipherable] considerably changed, their Education family occasion — [undecipherable] had been [undecipherable] difficulties, difficulties, yet the worst all persons judged and added much to this profession held my ease — I enclose copies of my notice to him at a moment that a few days ago had nearly caused a ferment which produced a happy effect and restored quiet, covering the [undecipherable] with confusion — I have also enclosed a duplicate of my letter of the 19^th of April, since which I have drawn on the Secretary of War in favor of Thomas Robb, Jasper Whetstone, and William John on the fifth and Seventh of May in five sets of exchange for five thousand dollars for pay to the troops on — With the greatest respect, I have the honor to be Sir Your Obedient Humble Servant [*signature*] [*signature*] [The Honorable the Secretary of War be the United States]