War Department April 30^th 1799 [To:] Sir Major General Hamilton has written to Colonel Story, provisionally, to abstain from the execution of martial law at Detroit till further order, as he desires maturely to reflect on the subject before a definitive Step. Lieut Col^t Hamtramck writes me under date of March 1.^st "I am informed that the Shawanese have been and are now working to have a representation from every nation to attend to a council next spring at one of their towns on Grande Glaize River, in order to take into consideration some articles of the treaty of Greenville which they wish to have altered. I have," he adds "endeavoured to ascertain the origin of this plan, and find it to have been recommended by Col^t. M^cKee the British Agent." William Wells, the Indian agent and Interpreter writes me on the same subject dated Fort Wayne. "I was informed last October by the first chief of the Shawanese nation that Col^t. M^cKee had told the nation in a speech he had sent them that it would be necessary for them to get all the Indians of this country together, and to take into consideration such a part of the treaty of Greenville as was disagreeable to them, and that it was determined by the nation that such proceedings would be for the good of the nation. But the Turtle and a large majority of the other Indian chiefs of this country have assured me that nothing of the kind would take place." Altho' I do not think the Shawanese will be able to effect a general meeting of the Indians, parties to the Treaty of Greenville, yet their movements require to be attended to. Some of the Indian tribes have a strong objection to a part of the boundary line, which they wish altered — while others, wrought upon upon, by persons to whom they have made illegal sales of land, expect to have these sales confirmed, if they can bring the United States to consent to a revision of the treaty. You will perceive, from the answers to Indian Chiefs on these several points, heretofore transmitted for your information, that the United States mean to adhere to the treaty of Greenville, and will not consent to any alteration in its lines, nor open a new treaty, to confirm any of the sales made by individual tribes previous thereto, and without authority. You will bear this in mind, and take such measures, as to defeat any endeavours, to force the United States to contravene this determination. Inclosed is copy of a letter to Major General Hamilton, directing him to cause you to be respected by the Military, in the character of Superintendent of Indian affairs, and to enable you, to give orders upon the posts for provisions to such Indians, as you may think it adviseable they should be issued. I leave open a letter to the Turtle, inclosing the invoices of the Stipendiary goods for the Miami, Shawanee, Delawatomies, Delives, Weas, Piankashaws, Kickapoo, and Kaskaskia Indians. You will have it forwarded to the Little Turtle, and fix with him, the time for the distribution of the goods, and I hope, will find it convenient to attend at their delivery. The goods for the Wyandots, Chippawas, Ottawas, and Delawares, will be forwarded to Detroit, to be distributed to the said Indians conformably to such directions as you may think proper to give. It is to be understood, that certificates of the delivery of the Stipends, are to be transmitted to this Office, signed by the person appointed to attend to the delivery, and by one or more officers of the garrison at which the delivery is made, or by yourself, whenever you shall be present. Should it at any times be proper to give an order to any of the Indians, who may be on a visit to you, to draw provisions at any garrison upon their route home, it will be necessary to specify in the order the number of rations or kind and quantity of provisions required, and to observe the same rule in all other cases. I need not remark to you that the circumstances inducing to such requisitions ought always to be of a nature fully to justify such an application of the army provisions. I have the honour to be, with great respect, Sir Your Obedient Humble Servant James McHenry Arthur St Clair Esq^r Governor of the North Western Territory &c,