[Confidential] War Department 1 July 1798 The following questions important in their nature & consequences are submitted to your mature consideration, and answers requested as soon as possible. I shall [strikethrough: be] for the answers [strikethrough: expect them] in time to [strikethrough: answer] write to General Wilkinson by the first mail or Friday. 1. Should the Officer commanding the troops of the U.S. on the Mississippi receive advice through a confidential channel that a body of troops in the service of France are ascending the Mississippi under the Flag of Spain, and appearances should cause to verify the information shall he permit them to pass [strikethrough: our banks or forts,] [strikethrough: continue on their] course, and ascend the Mississippi. 2. Should he receive satisfactory evidence that a military force is approaching our limits by land in hostile array, may he avail himself of any favourable ground beyond the national bounds to attack and defeat them, or must he wait the attack within our limits under [strikethrough: any] circumstances of disadvantage? You will have recourse of more justice to the offensive & defensive treaty between Spain France & chain, and to the laws & usages of nations in cases [strikethrough: of] [undecipherable: contestations] of [undecipherable] and the invasions. I am Sir very rispfully [Docketing, left margin:] Questions to Charles Lee E^sq 1 July 1798 Charles Lee E^sq