James McHenery letter 1799 War Department December 12, 1799

Sir

                  I have received your letter dated Nashville the

9th September last covering one from General Winchester to you dated the 22nd November 1797.

These letters relate to an account for Supplies furnished the Wolf

Friend and his party, by your order which was heretofore presented to this Department, and refused payment on the ground that you had no authority to give the order and that no circumstances appeared, to show the propriety of furnishing the supply.

In response of a representation made to me by General

Wilkinson. I have recently directed the settlement of this account, but to refuse settlements of all accounts for supplies to Indians, furnished by other than authorized persons, or by their special direction.

Superintendants and Agents now reside in, or near most of the

Indian Nations charged to attend to their wants and concerns. These however act under special Instructions and they even have no authority to direct such Supplies as have been furnished under your requisition. If Indians will visit the Seat of Government without previous permis- sion obtained from the president _ they must be suffered to get along as

                                                                well
                  [Ac.No 923]

well as they can. If their visit is authorized it must be left with them duly instructed to facilitate their Journey. In both cases it is not expected that Individuals will interfere, or if they do it must be at their own expense you will perceive that were a different rule to prevail every Gentleman living upon the Indian Frontiers or exposed to their visits might conceive having to have a claim upon Government to be re-imbursed for what ever he might think it necessary to furnish them to acquire their good will, to avoid their depredation or facilitate their journies (whether au thorized or otherwise) to the president or elsewhere. It is requisite to put an end to all such expectations in future. I request that you will excuse this free communication and ascribe it to its proper cause and not to want of confidence in you.

                                   I am Sir,
                                     with great  at
                                      Your obedt. Servant,
                                       James McHenry

General James Robertson

 Nashville
    N.W. Territory