War a_partment 12 April 1799 Sir, I received yesterday evening your letter of the 26 March Ultimo and the several papers to which it is annex. The particular knowledge you must possess of the whole frontier, to which your command applies, as well as of the circumjacent country, induces me to leave the choice of military sites and stations for your troops, entirely to your own judgment, supported by the advice of such persons as you may think proper to consult upon the occasion. I shall only observe it appears to me that the posts should have reference to the following objects. 1. The prevention of any project such as that attempted by Zachariah Cox. 2^d That they should be at points the best calculated to cover the Indian lands from intrusions and to overawe the Indians in case of necessity. 3. The ease and cheapness with which they may be supplied with provisions should not be overlooked. Inclosed are a number of copies of the intercourse law papers the last session of Congress. It would seem from the intrusions which have already commenced upon the Indian land, that nothing short of destroying every vestige of settlement made thereon, as soon as discovered, will answer the purpose contemplated by this law and our treaty engagements with the Indians. You will therefore direct the attention of your [officers] to this subject, and have every incipient or other settlement, as has [undecipherable: been] destroyed as soon as discovered. You must also prevent settlements in the neighborhoods of the posts within the Indian country. A post must be contemplated at Tellico to protect the factory. The agent of the department should be of Opinion, that the Stores under his care and superintendance would be safe at any of the military posts. With respect to the military articles which may be wanted for the department, I should presume that quarterly or half yearly estimates may be delivered to the Agent and the articles placed in the care of the regimental Quarter Master at such post as you may direct, to be delivered to the Officers, agreeable to the regulation. No said usage in such cases necessary to the same. I shall also instruct colonel Henley on this point. I have directed twelve Horsemans and seventy five common tents to be forwarded by the first Waggons for your command. [Four or] four hundred dollars to be paid by colonel Henley to your Paymaster which you will apply to the recruiting service under such orders as you may receive from [Cap?] [undecipherable] Hamilton. You will perceive by the fifteenth section of the inclosed act intitled An act for the better governing of the Troops of the United States and for other purposes that the regimental Paymasters must give bond in the sum of [undecipherable] thousand dollars with one or more sufficient sureties for the faithful discharging of the duties of their Offices. You will of course attend to this direction. Inclosed is a list of the promotions in your department. I am Sir, with great respect Your obt Servant. James McHenry Lieut Col. Commandant Thomas Butler