Autograph Letter Signed

Funds for Employment of Spies and Interpreters

Applies to Congress for funds for Lieutenant Colonel Harmar, commanding in the Western Territory, to hire "agents" to learn the intentions of Indian Chiefs and British Officers at the Western Posts occupied by the British and to hire interpreters.

Funds for Employment of Spies and Interpreters

1786

05

11

War Office

Josiah Harmar

Henry Knox

Indian Chiefs

Indians

British Officers

Congress

agents

interpreters

Board of Treasury

War Office

Posts on the Ohio

Great Lakes

Ohio River

Policy

small presents

Money

employ agents

designs of the Indians

discover the conduct

advancement of public interests

contingencies

1786051100001

1

War Office, May 11th 1786
Sir,
Lieut. Col. Harmar, being about to depart
for the Posts on the Ohio, I conceive that it may
be true policy to enable him to concituate the affections
of the Indian Chiefs, by occasionally giving
them small presents. It will also be necessary that he
should be furnished with some money to
employ agents to discover the Designs of the Indians
from time to time and to discover the
conduct of the British Officers commanding
the Posts on the communication of the Lakes, and
also to hire Indian Interpreters. Having perfect
confidence in his Discretion & Integrity, I take
the liberty to apply to Congress, for authority to
furnish him with six hundred Dollars, to be
applied to the advancement of the Public Interests
in the manner above recited, for the Disbursements
of which he will account to me. The sum so
advanced is comprehended under the head of Contingencies,
of the War Department, contained in an
Estimate of said Expenses of said Department
for the present year, transmitted to the Board of Treaury,
on the 28th. of January last.
I have the honor to be, with the highest Respect &c,
H. Knox
May 11. 1786.
Ordered that the foregoing Letter from the Secretary of War, be referred to the Board of Treasury to take order.