From George Washington to Henry Lee, 30 September 1792
To Henry Lee
Mount Vernon Sepr 30th 92
Dear Sir,
I was favored with your letter of the 26th instt enclosing one from Arthur Campbell Esqr—For the perusal of which I thank you. The information contained in it is extremely agreeable for it has brought the supposed dead to life, and a valuable man back to his Country again.1
I congratulate you on your return to Richmond in good health. In a few days I shall commence my journey for Philadelphia.2 Always—I am Yr Obedt & Affecte
Go: Washington
ALS, Bibliothèque Publique et Universitaire, Geneva; ADfS, DNA: RG 59, Miscellaneous Letters; LB, DLC:GW. The ALS is postmarked “Alex. 1 Octr.”
1. Lee’s letter to GW of 26 Sept. 1792 has not been found. The enclosed letter from Arthur Campbell, county lieutenant of Washington County in southwest Virginia, to Lee of 10 Sept. reads: “It is with pleasure I communicate the account of the return of Coll Hardin to Fort Washington. His narrative is concisely this—that he reached the Sandusky unmolested, but was there made a prisoner with the man that accompanied him, both of whom was condemned to death, and the Colonel had the affliction to be a Spectator when his fellow traveller was committed to the flames. The following day was allotted for his execution; but in the night, eight young men of the Wyandot tribe, stole him from his keepers—concealed him some days in a wood, and then set out with him for Fort Jefferson, where they all arrived safe.
“We are assured that the Illinois & Wabash Indians are disposed to treat with the United States for peace; but that the Miami’s, Chippawa’s, & the Shawanese & Delawares continue inveterate enemies—This intelligence comes from Post Vincennes.
“Governor Blount has had an interview with a number of the Cherokee Chiefs since his return from Nashville. He with warmth complained of the depredations of their disorderly young men, & added, his people would pursue & kill all that was met with, if an instant stop was not put to future attacks. An old Chief answered laconically that his people had Guns, & could shoot too. On our frontier northwardly, all is quiet since the affair in the New Garden” (PHi: Large Miscellaneous Volumes). Campbell’s information concerning John Hardin’s survival was erroneous (see Knox to GW, 16 Aug., n.3, and GW’s Address to the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, 6 Nov., n.2). GW sent a copy of Campbell’s letter to Knox, with a brief covering letter written at Mount Vernon on 1 Oct. 1792, in which he wrote that Campbell’s letter gives “some information with respect to Indian Affairs” (Df, DLC:GW; LB DLC:GW; copy, PHi: Large Miscellaneous Volumes).
2. Lee had returned recently from an extended tour of the militia outposts in southwest Virginia (see Knox to GW, 15 Sept. 1792, n.7). GW left Mount Vernon on 8 Oct. 1792 (see GW to Betty Washington Lewis, 7 Oct. 1792).