[page illegible] [15 May. 1799 [undecipherable]] [undecipherable] [conte] War Department 15. May, 1799. Sir, Having had occasion, to refer to your letter, dated the 26^th July last, I was struck with the opinion you express, that attempts had been made, to prevent the Indians from ceding any of their lands, particularly as the opinion is strengthened, by information I received from the bloody fellow, who was at Philadelphia. He told me a Gentleman high in Office in Tennessee had written to him, previous to the arrival of the Commissioners, that the [undecipherable] [undecipherable] had resolved to hold a treaty, with them, to get more of their lands, and that it was not till [undecipherable] they [undecipherable] a [undecipherable] from them even [undecipherable]. That the [undecipherable] letter [undecipherable] to put the Indians on their guard, and prevent their selling any of their lands. As it is possible, this letter may not have been correctly interpreted, I forbear to make any comments upon it; but its correspondence with your suggestions, makes me anxious to see the letter, and I have expectations of returning it. I have long had to encounter, an unpleasant current in Tennessee, which disturbs the most gentle and salutary measures, to the preservation of the peace of that frontier, under [undecipherable] time [undecipherable] by their legislature relative to the projects of [undecipherable] Gore. Many conclusive circumstances, induce me to believe that the late treaty, was not [undecipherable], by [undecipherable] influential characters in Tennessee; that they may have employed covert means, to defeat its objects; and that their troubles, were to be used, as a double instrument, to kindle war, and [undecipherable] against the Government, on just and engendering suspicions. If you observe during the trip, or your return [undecipherable] that will throw light on the principles, and conduct, of [undecipherable] [undecipherable], their quarters in Tennessee, and can obviate or dispel, the suppositions I entertain, I pray you to communicate, whatever information you may [undecipherable] will be considered confidential. I am, with great respect your obedient servant James McHenry Alfonso Hayne Esqr. [undecipherable] North Carolina