Contemporary Copy of Letter made from Author's Files

Defensive Protection of Virginia

Letter, discusses temporary defensive protection of Virginia. Measures taken must only be defensive in nature.

Ltr, dis temporary defensive measures.

1792

11

03

War Department

Henry Lee

Henry Knox

John Stagg Jr., chief clerk

President of the United States

House of Delegates

Senate of Virginia

militia

Indians

War Department

Virginia

United States

resolves

protection

desires

causes

general government

war

tranquility

Resolves of the house of Delegates and the Senate of Virginia relatively to the temporary defence of the frontier

the inefficacy of a defensive protection against Indians

1792110300002

6

force authorized by Congress during their late session together with the Militia which the laws authorize him to call in service, will prove adequate to the occasions which may arise.
3rd November 1792
The President of the United States has directed me to acknowledge the receipt of your Excellency's letter to him of the 27th ultimo, enclosing, Resolves of the House of Delegates and the Senate of Virginia, relatively to the temporary defence of the frontiers thereof.
The letters which have been written at various times will enable you to take such steps with the Militia for the temporary defensive protection of Virginia, as you shall judge proper-but anything further, or more permanent, must result from such measure as Congress may please to direct.
The inefficacy of a defensive protection against Indians, must be well understood by your Excellency. If they, contrary to the desires of, and from causes which the general government cannot control, are influenced to and decided for war, they must be made to feel the effects of our Superiority before tranquility can be permanently established.
Compared with the records of the War Office--
Nov. 21st, 1792.
[Signature is partially obscured by ink stain] Jn Stagg Jun. chf clk.