Natchez July 9^th 1798 Sir By the post from this place to the Choctaws, and via the little Turkeys town to Knox Ville, on the 13^th Ultimo I have the honor to address you — a duplicate of which is cover'd with this — nothing material has occurred since in this quarter. The Indians are still pacific, though constantly urged to the Contrary by the Spanish Emissaries in the nation, at Mobile, and Orleans: many of their principal men have visited here and declared their friendly disposition and intention, and their determination to discountenance the talks given them by the Spaniards. Some of the Six Town Choctaws, a tribe called the Huvanies who have long been in the Spanish interest, I fear may be troublesome to the working party on the line as every argument has been used to implant in their minds that all the lands above this line were immediately to be possessed by the Virginians as they term us — In consequence of which the Huvanies who inhabited far up in the Choctaws have destroyed [strikethrough: have destroyed] their Corn and removed below, on the borders of lake Pont Chartrain. Colonel Hamtramck arrived at the Walnut Hills the 29^th Ultimo, he found the Garrison in a very sick condition, and without medical aid, medicine, or hospital Stores. Doctor Dorsey not having thought it proper to return according to promise as I lament — Mr. Ellicott and his people are continuing their employment, & have got on about Seven Miles — On the 6^th instant I drew Bills on the Secretary of War, for one thousand dollars in favour of William Cameron, and to day in favour of M^r John McKee for four hundred and fifty dollars in exchange for his bills for the same — With the greatest respect The Honorable I have the Honor to be James McHenry Secretary Sir Your Ob'd Hum'ble [undecipherable] of War United States I. Guion Cap^t