Having obtained leave from his Excellency the Commander in chief to proceed to this City and represent the State of things in the Western department I take the liberty to lay before you a state of some Circumstances which I humbly apprehend will excite the Attention of Congress.

From the best intelligence it is evident that the Enemy are preparing to possess themselves of Fort Pitt and its dependencies and consequently of the Country West of the Alleghany Mountain—General Clark has an Order for the Artillery Corps and all the field Artillery and a considerable detachment from the eighth Pennsylvania and 9th Virginia Regiment. The Maryland Corps is ordered to the Southward, These detachments will render the remaining force inadequate to the defence of a single post and of Course the Inhabitants can expect no protection from them. Besides it is the doubtful whether the well affected or disaffected Inhabitants there are most numerous.

The Troops at Fort Pitt and the dependant posts have suffered uncommon hardships from a great Scarcity of Provisions & Clothing which misfortunes they have hitherto born with uncommon fortitude. But it cannot be expected that under such sufferings a proper subordination can much longer be preserved.

The British force which it is said is to attack Fort Pitt will proceed from Niagara down the Alleghany River consequently General Clarks expedition to the Westward will by no means cover the principal Settlements west of the Mountains. And the same force with which we are threatened from Niagara may pursue him down the Ohio River unless a sufficient force can be raised to oppose their Success in the Attempt.

There is a Number of Delaware Indians at Fort pitt some of whom have been usefull and taken an active part with us I have ordered them a small Allowance of Indian Corn and flour and promised provided they remained firmly in our Interest that they and their families should be supplied with such Articles of Cloathing as might be necessary for them. And I shall be glad to know the pleasure of Congress respecting them.

The parties which I have hitherto employed against the Indians are destitute of Paint, Match Coats Shirts and Cloth for Leggings and Breech Clouts and cannot act to advantage untill they are furnished with those Articles.

The Non Commissioned Officers and Soldiers of the 8th Pensa Regiment and the Maryland independent Corps are entirely destitute of Shirts and other Cloathing and the Shoes of all the Troops are worn out.

The Western district under its present Circumstances will doubtless fall into the hands of the Enemy should they march a considerable force against it and the regaining it must be attended with a great expence of blood and Treasure.

I have taken the liberty to mention a few facts and should your Excellency think proper to ask any questions of me relative to them—I shall esteem it a happiness to give you my clearest sentiments upon a Subject which I conceive is of the utmost Consequence to the United States. I have the Honor to be with perfect respect your Excellency’s most obed. Servt