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the war office you have undoubtedly received before this period.

Should the force now offered be deemed insufficient, or should more be wanted, it shall not be withheld upon this interesting occasion; notwithstanding our proximity to the combined force of the hostile Indians, who are now kept in double check by the troops on this ground, and those posted on the field of battle of the 4th November, 1791, which we took possession of on the 24th ultimo.

The measures which I have taken for the security of the northwestern frontiers I hope and trust will be found salutary and effectual. I have the honour to be, &c. A. WAYNE. His Ex. Isaac Shelby, Esq. Governour, Kentucky.

True copy

JNO. STAGG, JUN. Ch. Clk. W. D.

Extract of a Letter from Lexington, Kentucky, dated March 31, 1794.

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Monday-An agent from general Clarke, properly authorized by him, made his appearance here, for the express purpose of purchasing, on the credit of general Clarke, such articles as were absolutely necessary, in order that he might depart immediately

"He called on me, showed me his authority, and offered to purchase my two boats. The articles wanted were two, viz. five hundred pounds powder; and one ton cannon ball. The purchases were completed ;-the powder is at this instant in my cellar;-to-morrow it leaves this place for the falls. The boats will start next week ;— their provisions are all ready, and the 15th April is appointed for the day of their departure from the falls. "Friday, April 4th--Yesterday the powder, left this place."

The writer is expected in town in a few days,

Extract of a Letter from the Secretary of War to Major General Wayne, dated March 31, 1794.

"THE idea of a post to be established at Fort Massac was held forth on the 17th of May last, and left optional

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with you; but certain circumstances, at that time, prevented your adopting the idea. The late intention of some restless people of the frontier settlements, to make hostile inroads into the dominions of Spain, renders it indispensable that you should immediately order as respectable a detachment as you can to take post at Fort Massac; and to erect a strong redoubt and block house with some suitable cannon from Fort Washington.

"The officer who should command ought to be a man of approved integrity, firmness and prudence."

Besides the directions for erecting the works, the supplies, discipline and police of the garrison, he ought to be instructed somewhat in the following manner.

Secret and confidential. It has not been unknown to you, that a number of lawless people residing on the waters of the Ohio, in defiance of the national authority, have entertained the daring design of invading the territories of Spain. The atrocity of this measure, and its probable effects, are pointed out in the proclamation of the President of the United States herewith delivered to you.

"If this design should be persisted in, or hereafter revived, and any such parties should make their appearance in the neighbourhood of your garrison, and you should be well informed that they are armed and equipped for war, and entertain the criminal intention described in the President's proclamation, you are to send to them some persons in whose veracity you could confide; and if such person should be a peace officer he would be the most proper messenger; and warn them of their evil proceedings, and forbid their attempting to pass the fort at their peril. But if, notwithstanding every peaceable effort to persuade them to abandon their criminal design, they should still persist in their attempts to pass down the Ohio, you are to use every military means in your power for preventing them, and for which this shall be your sufficient justification, provided you have taken all the pacifick steps before directed."

True extract,

JNO. STAGG, JUN. Ch. Clk. W. D..

Copy of a Letter from M. Williamson, jun. to Captain Thomas Martin, dated Rock Landing, April 9, 1794.

DEAR CAPTAIN,-Agreeable to your request, I have made every inquiry about Murray; he has not been here, and if he should come, captain K'Kinsey will certainly send him to the fort. I shall set out for Carr's Bluff this evening, and if I should see or hear of him, shall send him immediately up; and if any more of the federal troops should desert, with an expectation of being received as one among the adventurers against East Florida, they will be mistaken, by being sent back to their quarters. General Clarke requested me to urge the necessity of not interfering with government, particularly in that of persuading the troops of the United States to desert and join them; and that if he could find out that any officer or soldier had acted in that manner, contrary to the interests of the United States, should be given into the hands of the law, and be punished as the law directs.

I am with respect, yours, &c.

M. WILLIAMSON, JUN.

Colonel Kar delivered your advertisement to captain M'Kinsey with a special command, that the within mentioned deserter be safely taken to your quarters, provided he should come to this place, as well as any other that might desert, with an idea to shelter with the republicans, or F to F M. W. JUN.

The above is correctly copied from the original, remaining on file in the War Office of the United States. JNO. STAGG, Ch. Clerk.

May 13, 1794.

Extract of a Letter from Constant Freeman, Agent for the Department of War, in Georgia, to the Secretary of War, dated Fort Fidius, April 18, 1794.

"We have been for a long time held in suspense by the different reports which have circulated, relative to certain persons being employed in this state, to recruit a corps of troops for the service of France. There cannot now be

any doubts remaining upon this subject. Officers have been appointed, and are now acting under the authority of the French Republick. Parties of recruits have already marched to the rendezvous appointed for them. Several men of this corps have crossed the Oconee, and encamped opposite to Greenesborough. A small party was for some days opposite to the Rock Landing; they have since marched to Carr's Bluff to join with those that had assembled at that place. The general rendezvous we are told is to be on the river St. Mary. An agent is appointed to furnish the supplies, and he has for that purpose received ten thousand dollars. A person, who was formerly the contractor's clerk at this post, is employed by him to purchase 4000 rations of provisions. He has gone down the country to execute this business.

On the 8th instant a colonel Carr and major Williamson came to this garrison: They stayed the day and night with captain Martin: They are said to be officers in the French legion. This was confirmed by major Williamson, who showed captain Martin a letter of instructions which he had received from general Clarke, directing him to repair to Fort Phillips, the Rock Landing, and Carr's Bluff, for the purpose of paying to the recruits of the French legion an allowance for mileage from their homes to the places of rendezvous. He showed captain Martin a list of the men whom he had paid, and who are encamped on the other side of the Oconee, opposite to Greenesborough, under the command of the late lieutenant Bird, who is now a captain in the said legion; and he also showed captain Martin his saddle bags, and told him that he had more than a thousand dollars in them for the purposes above mentioned; and he further informed him, that general Clarke would cross the Oconee in ten days from that time to take the command, and that colonel Carr would be one of the adventurers. Major Williamson has been employed as paymaster.

Colonel Carr told me, that large detachments had marched from the back settlements of South Carolina and from the state of Kentucky. That the men were to be engaged for three months, and were to receive bounties of land in the provinces of East and West Florida and Louisiana, which they were to conquer from the Spaniards. That M. Genet is appointed a major general, and is to command

in chief, and that measures would be taken to conciliate the Creeks, that the legion might march through their country.

The next day they left this garrison and proceeded on their journey to Carr's Bluff. That morning a soldier deserted from captain Martin's company, and as it was apprehended he had joined the party of the French legion then incamped opposite to the Rock Landing, capt. Martin sent a message to major Williamson, requesting him that the man might be returned. He has received the enclosed letter as an answer, which I have desired him to give me, that I might send it to you. This letter confirms what I have above written relatively to maj. Williamson being connected with this business.

There are many other persons named as officers in this new corps, but as it would be rather imprudent to mention them without some evidence of the fact, I forbear to send you their names.

It appears that the Spanish government in the Florida. is greatly alarmed at the preparations which are making to invade these provinces, and the governour of East Florida has made complaint to the governour of this state, who has issued his proclamation, dated the fifth of last month, forbidding all persons joining with these adventurers, or aiding or assisting them in any way whatever.

Although, sir, you may have been fully informed through other channels of the above facts, I conceive it highly proper that I should give you such farther information therein as is to be obtained in this quarter. It doth not, however, appear, that the officers of this new legion make any great rogress in the recruiting service; and it is generally believed, by the most sensible and orderly inhabitants of this country, that the proposed expedition of these adventurers will fail."

I do certify, that the foregoing is a true extract from the original letter, on file in the War Office of the United States.

May 13, 1794.

JNO. STAGG, JUN. Ch. Clk.

MR. JOHN S. GANO, of Cincinnati, North Western Territory, came through Kentucky, was at Lexington and

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