[Sec of War May 19. 1799 [underline: Indians urgent]] War Department 18^th May 1799 [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] The enclosed papers are, No 1 a copy of a letter [undecipherable] Major [D.] Bradley, No 2 a copy of a letter from [undecipherable] Col Hamtramck, No 3 a copy of a letter from Col Strong to the 4 [undecipherable] chiefs of [undecipherable], Sanquie, Ohea, Abecaay & Martibas on [their] [undecipherable] lately returned from Philada., and Cotowato, Pesots, and Peswas chiefs of the Chippewa, Ottawas, [and] Potowatomi Nations, No 5 My answer to the [undecipherable] [speeches?] delivered in Philade^a by the above mentioned chiefs — No 6 contains the returns of the Troops un- der the command of Col Hamtramck for April, of Col Strong, for Feb^y & March, and those under the com- mand of Captains [undecipherable: probable reading Dorotts], Whistler, Turner, [undecipherable] and [undecipherable], for March, April and May, respectively. The informations related to the above mentioned Tribes of Indians, is given to assist you in forming your opinion, and it is left to you to decide whether, as the garrison of Detroit consists of but about 100 men, non commissioned officers and privates, it will be adviseable and proper it should be rein- forced. This garrison has been weakened by draughts for the Mississippi. The persons who have specu- lated illegally in Indian lands, and who have gotten them to complain to government, will, no doubt, con- tinue to practice upon them, and even to stimulate them to acts of hostility, should they consider such a proceeding calculated, eventualy to procure to them from the United States a title to their purchases I have the honor to be with the greatest respect, Sir, your most ob^t H[?] James McHenry [undecipherable] Major Gen^l A. Hamilton