War Department 13 August 1798 Sir, I received on the afternoon of the 10^th inst from [undecipherable] Hall near [undecipherable] to the commissioners for holding a treaty with the Cherokee nation, the following documents viz: 1^st a letter dated [undecipherable] 14^th July 1798 signed [undecipherable] George Walton and John Steele 2^d a letter dated 16^th July 1798 signed George Walton & the Journal of the proceedings of the commissioners appointed to hold a treaty with the Cherokee nation [undecipherable] the [undecipherable] of the time [undecipherable] commencing at [undecipherable] in the state of Tennessee on Friday the 8^th of July 1798 [undecipherable] a letter [undecipherable] by Hall dated the 10^th August 1798 and certain documents referred to from [undecipherable] 1 to 35 inclusive. After [undecipherable] attention consideration as my leisure time has permitted me to give to these papers, and the object to which they relate, I am of opinion that a [undecipherable: probable reading "renewal"] of the negotiation as proposed, is a wise measure, and necessary, tho' it should fail, to convince as well those who are specially interested in its success, as the citizens of Tennessee [strikethrough: undecipherable] who wish for the preservation of peace with the Indians, of the sincerity of the exertions of government. I am also persuaded that Mr. [undecipherable: probable reading "Walton"] does not entertain [undecipherable: probable reading "fond"] hopes of being able to induce the Indians to [undecipherable] the more or other [undecipherable] than what the intruders [undecipherable] have ascertained, and not [undecipherable] the [undecipherable], are discrediting the insinuations contained, [undecipherable] easily, in the [undecipherable] signed by the Secretary to the Commissioners; I am easily convinced that such a [undecipherable] character would be far from satisfactory to those descriptions of men, who seem to have obtained considerable influence in the State of Tennessee; [undecipherable] who have [undecipherable] under the state of North Carolina to land within the Cherokee [undecipherable]; and those who have engaged in the project of [undecipherable] Cove. The [undecipherable] taken by the late Legislature of Tennessee to favour the passage of this adventurer with his armed [undecipherable] against the late Treaties cannot be forgotten. The pretensions set forth in the [undecipherable] No 40 addressed to the Commissioners of the United States by the agents appointed by [undecipherable] to attend the Negotiation [undecipherable] placed by [undecipherable] considerable [undecipherable] in the purchase of [undecipherable] the intruders. Such a treaty could [undecipherable] accommodations and [undecipherable] to the holders of large North Carolina grants, on the contrary, it would act as an effectual postponement of their claims, [undecipherable] the legal validity of [undecipherable] obtaining [undecipherable] with those who could be [undecipherable] in an exceedingly [undecipherable] day. [undecipherable] those two descriptions of men are [undecipherable] characters in Tennessee and not over scrupulous about the use of means. It is an Indian [undecipherable: probable reading "war"], only, [undecipherable] and destructive as it respects the illegal [undecipherable], which can hold out to them a prospect of [undecipherable: probable reading "possession"] of the lands they so much covet. They must consider it therefore of the last consequence that no purchase should be accomplished where it would partly cover the land that has been intruded upon. It is the sufferings of the intruders which are to interest the feelings of the great body of the citizens of the state. It is the intruders who are to be stimulated and made the instruments of an [undecipherable], if [undecipherable] as [undecipherable] collected. These reflections and the [undecipherable] taken by [undecipherable] on the Cumberland, [undecipherable] the execution of his project, and the constancy of [undecipherable] of his [undecipherable] [undecipherable] at Nashville, prepared to cooperate with him, would [undecipherable] be to render a renewal of the [undecipherable] [undecipherable] an indispensable measure, and indicate the necessity of trying every honorable expedient to bring it to a favourable issue. Mr. Wallon suggests that a letter or talk from the President addressed to the chiefs and warriors of the Cherokee Nation might be of use in this negotiation; this appears to me [undecipherable] desirable. I have therefore annexed the form of a letter or talk, [undecipherable] if it meets your approbation I request may be forwarded with your signature, as soon as possible, you will observe that the third of next month is fixed for the recommencement of the negotiation. Your letter cannot arrive at the treaty ground sooner than the [undecipherable] of September. I shall communicate this letter circumstance by the first mail to Mr. [undecipherable: probable reading "Walton"] that he may conduct himself accordingly. The opinion you expressed of Col. Butler when I first proposed him for one of the commissioners has induced me to direct a commission to be made out in his name to fill the vacancy created by Mr. Steele, and I enclose it for your signature. I believe Col. Butler the fittest person for a commissioner that could have been employed on the present occasion. [undecipherable] and also with instructions to attend the treaty. I am sorry [undecipherable] be made so [undecipherable] as [undecipherable] not receiving accompanying letter, you will find a copy of it among the documents. [undecipherable] is a very great [undecipherable]. [undecipherable] intended entirely on Friday [undecipherable] and [undecipherable] by however [undecipherable] [undecipherable]. with the most sincere attachment I have the honor to be Your faithful friend & [undecipherable] [undecipherable] James McHenry [encl. undecipherable] [undecipherable] of the [undecipherable] [undecipherable]