[War Department James McHenry] [seal] Israel Chapin Esq^r Canandaigua New York [War Department] Sir I enclose for your information a copy of a communication from the Tuscarora chiefs, dated Tuscarora castle 26^th April 1799 I am in your most ob^dt [serv]^t James McHenry Israel Chapin Esq^r [Enclosure] Brother When we went down to see and talk with you we got a paper from under your seal containing the good man's kind answer to our requests, and all the matters were so fixed before we went to him that he could not give us the land, which we wanted very much. He used us kindly, and advised us to work what land we had, more, and not go hunting or trapping as much as we were wont. We have followed his council in every matter, hope it will be well for us. To enable us the better to do this, our Brothers are pleased to assist us with those articles which we want for that use, of which we take good care, and are thankful for them. We have asked our friend Chapin, but cannot know to what extent the kind bounty of our good brethren went. Last year we got one yoke of oxen, seven harrow teeth, and one hog, plough, two axes. and some [undecipherable] articles out of our Friend Chapin's [undecipherable: Brothers?] Store, some of which were of little use to us, and not suited to our [undecipherable] and told us, that is what you are allowed by your White Brethren, and no more. In your paper given us at Philad^a. dated 10^th March 1798 signed James McHenry Sec^y of War, it says that as a proof of the great man's friendship for the Nation, he desires you to direct the Superintendent Israel Chapin to provide some implements of Husbandry for the Nation, and to make us who have visited him some little presents for ourselves and wives We do not mean to complain of our good brothers, but if we do not enjoy the benefit of their kindness, it is but right they should know it. We have not, as yet received the great man's present for the nation or ourselves because we have been charged with every article we got from our friend Chapin and the whole with our expenses while in Canandaigua was one hundred and twenty nine dollars — To prevent the like in future, we wish to have the purchase of such implements, or goods as we may want hereafter ourselves, and as we are agreed to take our good friend, the President's council, it will be mostly in farming tools. Our Head Chief, Sacarissa shewed the paper we got from you, to [undecipherable] which he read, and returned to him at [undecipherable] It was bad for us that our Interpreter [undecipherable] did not serve us well, if he had, it would have given us great pleasure, and we might, perhaps, not have troubled you now. We are your friends and brothers, may the great Spirit rule your councils and direct your actions Faithfully transcribed from the interpretation of Thomas Green at the request of Sacarissa and all the Tuscarora chiefs assembled in council Tuscarora Castle 26^th Apl 1799