Manuscript Translation of Letter

Reports Arrival, Activity at Rapids of Ohio

Reports arrival after immense public expense by using pack horses. Shall take his cattle to the mouth of the Wabash River and then drive them along the river. The ascent will be difficult, but will be easier than going by land directly to the post. Outlines cost of required pack horses. Expects Captain Ferguson's imminent arrival. When he arrives at the post he will certainly carry out the orders of Congress. Plans frequent contact with the Indians and hopes to have Knox's approval since the Superintendent of Indian Affairs will be unavailable. Judge Symmes hopes to establish a settlement on the Wabash. Encloses Symmes's proposals

Reports Arrival, Activity at Rapids of Ohio

1787

06

15

Camp at Rapids of Ohio

In unbound journal marked "correspondence of General Josiah Harmar transcribed by the War Department 1812."

Henry Knox

General Josiah Harmar

Captain Ferguson

Congress

Indians

Superintendent of Indian Affairs

Judge Symmes

Camp at Rapids of Ohio

Port St. Vincent

Kentucky

Wabash River

expenses

packhorses

cattle

Kentucky boats

drove

marching

calculation

orders of Congress

Commissioner's goods

settlement

federal measures

Public Expense

1787061540101

2

Camp at the Rapids of the Ohio.
June 15th 1787.
Sir,
I had the honor of addressing you last on the 4th instant. We arrived here on the 11th considering the immense expense which the public would sustain by hireing packhorses, and indeed the uncertainty of procureing them and the delay attending it these circumstances have induced me to determine upon going to Port St. Vincent by water. I am making arrangements respecting provisions and propose taking my cattle in Ken-tucky Boats to the mouth of the Wabash, and shall then order them drove along the margin of the river. Ascending the Wabash and driving the cattle will be attended with some difficulty.
This arrangement will be infinitely less expensive than marching by land from hence,
59.
directly to the Post. Upon a calculation it would require seventy pack-horses which could not be hired under half a dollar each per day.
I expect Captain Ferguson will arrive about the 20th of the month, and I am in hopes to bear this immediately upon his arrival.
When we reach the Post I shall instantly proceed to carry the orders of Congress into effect.
The Commissioners goods are here. As it is more than probable that I shall have frequent con-ferences with the Indians I propose taking them along with me, and [undecipherable] the Superintendent of Indian Affairs will be absent that you will be pleased to authorize me to distribute some of them in case of necessity.
Judge Symmes formerly a member of Congress is here, and has it in contemplation to establish a settlement on the Wabash.
I think it my duty to transmit you the
enclosed proposals of his in order, that you may be acquainted with his intentions.
You may be assured in that the advancement of federal measures shall be my constant object and I hope for the countenance and support of Congress on the occasion.
I have the honor to be
Sir, [undecipherable],
Jos. Harmar,
Lt. Col. Comd 1st U. S. Reg-
The Honorable,
Major Gen'l Knox,
Sect at War