Colonel David Henley Mr Maclin Knoxville

Nashville July 2nd 1787 Anthony Foster Nashville July 2nd, 1787 Sir I have wrote to the Secretary of War on the Subject of my contract, with Government for furnishing, the Indians (supplies), who resort to this place of which I inclose you a copy I received a letter a few days ago from Colonel Hawkins, advising me to adress the Secretary on that head — I Should be much oblige to you to forward, as early as possible said letter — I feel consious, if it comes within your province, that you will accommodate me. Genl. Robertson being discontinued, would place the Indians, in an awkward situation, provided they were to come here on, any business public of private, no person to hear theym, or were give them provisions — it would induce them to believe we were about to forsake them — you may laugh, & think I have an intreast, by being so warm towards them, though it is a fact what I have stated above relative to them — I hope to hear from you shortly Your very Huml Svt, A Foster Nashville July 1st 1797. Anthony Foster Nash—Ville July 1st 1797 Sir,

Colo. Hawkins having lately annull’d Genl. Robertsons appointment as superindendant of Indian affairs for the District of Mero, on account of an act of Congress making in necessary that Agents should reside in the Nation, it becomes necessary that I should address you on a subject, in which it must appear I am Interested. By Contract with the late Secretary of war, Mr Pickering, I engaged to furnish the Indians with such supplies as the superintendant might think necessary. The Contract (a copy of which is enclos’d) Specifies that the Contract shall continue in force untill I shall on the one part of the Secretary of the Treasury of of war on the other shall give notice one to the other that the same is to be discontinued — The intention of this clause was understood by me as a safety to the Contractor with regard to laying in such supplies as might be wanting for the Indians — Many of those Goods are not usually wanted by the Country people, the consequence of which it would be if the Contract were disolv’d with out some notice, that the Goods would lye on my hands without being able to sell — Upon the faith of the Contract Sir I laid in a quantity of Goods for the Indians last winter a great part of which how remain on hand without a probability of selling them — No Goods can issue without an order and since there is no superintendant all business must stop — supposing Colo. Hawkins not to have been acquainted with the tenor of my Contract with Government— I have written him upon the subject, In answer he advised me to address the secretary of war upon the occasion — As it would be difficult to prevent the Indians from coming here and passing through this place, on public business it is more than probable some supplies will still be wanting untill an Agent and Store Keeper is appointed in the Nation — This circumstance together with the confidence I have in the Contract induces me to hope that the Government will not see suffer — but will now take the Goods I now have on hand — Suffer me to request Sir that you will do me the honor to give me information on the subject — I am sir with the most profound respect yr Obet Anthy: Foster Copy The Honble James McHenry Secretary of War