f saving the garrison from sharing the fate of that of
Chicago; but it must be explicitly understood, that you are
not to resort to offensive warfare for purposes of conquest.
Your operations are to be confined to measures of defence and
security. With this view, if you should have credible
information of the assembling of bodies of troops to march
against you, it may become necessary to destroy the fort at
Sandusky, and the road which runs through it from Cleveland to
the foot of the rapids: the road from the river Raisin to
Detroit is perhaps in too bad a state to offer any aid to the
approach of an enemy, except in the winter; and if a winter
campaign should be contemplated against you, it is probable
that magazines would be formed in Cleveland and its vicinity,
of all which you will of course inform yourself. In carrying
on our operations in your quarter, it is of primary importance
that the confidence and good-will of the Indians should be
preserved, and that whatsoever can tend to produce a contrary
effect should be most carefully avoided. I therefore most
strongly urge and enjoin your acting on those principles on
every occasion that may offer, inculcating them in all those
under your influence, and enforcing them by your example,
whether in your conduct towards the Indians or what may regard
them, or in your language when speaking to, or of, them. I am
aware that they commit irregularities at times, which will
make this a difficult task; but you must endeavour to perform
it--attending at the same time to the means already suggested
to you for preventing, as much as possible, a repetition of
disorderly conduct.

Colonel E---- is a respectable, gentlemanly man, but he by no
means possesses the influence over the Indians which Captain
M'K---- does. I recommend to you to promote, as far as in you
lies, a good understanding with and between them, and to
observe a conciliating deportment and language towards the
latter, that his great influence may be secured and employed
in its fullest extent for the benefit of your district, and
for the general good. In conversation with him, you may take
an opportunity of intimating, that I have not been unmindful
of the interests of the Indians in my communications to
ministers; and I wish you to learn (as if casually the subject