Document Signed

Expedition to Frontier

Addressed Harmar's expedition to the frontier, Indian relations.

Expedition to Frontier

1790

08

24

War Department

An extract from this document is found in the American State Papers.

Henry Knox

Josiah Harmar

Josiah Harmar

Henry Knox

Governor Arthur St. Clair

Indians

President

George Washington

Major Doughty

Samuel Hodgdon

War Department

expedition

circumstances

enemy

best arrangements

intelligence

rifle powder

musket powder

lead

cartridge paper

flints

medicines

capital articles

contingent money

close fight

muskets

1790082400101

1

24 Aug. 1790
The Secrey of
War to Brigr.
Genl. Harmar.
"I now acknowledge the receipt of your Letter of the 15 of last month by Governor St Clair, who has stated to me the plan of the proposed expedition against the indians, and the same has been submitted to the President of the United States, who has approved thereof -
"My letter to the Governor of yesterday, which he will communicate to you, contains some circumstances which may not be necessary to repeat.
"The expedition you are about to undertake is not only of great importance in itself, but it may be attended with extensive and remote consequence — Every consideration therefore of a public nature, as well as personal to yourself, require that it should be conducted in the most perfect manner, that there should not be any omissions, but all just arrangements made to produce a due execution of every plan & order.
"A knowledge of your enemy's strength, situations & designs must be essential to your success, you will therefore make the best arrangements for obtaining intelligence.
"While on the one hand your movements and execution should be so rapid & decisive as to astonish your enemy, so on the other, every possible precaution in the power of human foresight should be used to present surprize. To enter into the details of the measures you ought to take to effect the former or prevent the latter, would be to attempt to preclude the exercise of your abilities. — The President of the United States is impressed with the conviction that you are aware of the importance of your command and that you will endeavour to make the best arrangements to insure success, and particularly that you will avail yourself on all occasions of the mature experience & judgment of Governor St Clair.
"I have agreeably to Major Doughty's report directed Mr. Hodgden to forward two tons of the best rifle & musket powder, lead in proportion, cartridge paper, flints and the medicines you wrote for, the capital articles of which are doubled.
"I have transmitted you by Governor St. Clair one thousand Dollars for contingent money, for which you will forward me [undecipherable] receipts.
"As it is probable that most of the militia may be armed with rifles, which are certainly not good arms in a close fight, it may perhaps be proper for you to attempt to persuade some of them to arm themselves with the spare muskets, you have in Store —
P. S.
P. S. It will be necessary that you communicate the time of your setting out, the number of your command, the progress and termination of the expedition, and the various events proper for the President to know.