George Washington Papers

To George Washington from Henry Knox, 11 April 1794

From Henry Knox

War department April 11. 1794

The Secretary of War respectfully reports to the President of the United States.1

That he has had further conversations with Doctor White, and also perused a report of a Committee of Congress herein enclosed relatively to the defence of Mero district.2

That the Inhabitants of the said district amounting to about fifteen thousand, thrust out into the Wilderness and one hundred & sixty Miles from any succour and greatly exposed to Banditti Indians seem intitled to receive a due proportion of protection from the United States.

That under the present circumstances of imminent danger and until regular troops can be had for the purpose, resort must be had to the militia of the said district.

The following temporary arrangement is therefore submitted.

That Governor Blount be authorized if he judges the measure indispensible for the safety of the Inhabitants of the said Mero District to call into service until the first day of next December unless sooner discharged the following portions of Militia upon the pay and rations allowed by law.

A post and Garrison to be established at the ford at the crossing of Cumberland River of 1. Subaltern 2 Serjeants 2. Corporals and 26 privates

For the protection of Tennessee County and the Inhabitants of Red River running into Cumberland-–1 Subaltern 2 Serjeants 2 Corporals and 21 privates.

Davidson County-–1 Subaltern 2 Sergts 2 Corpl and 26 privates the chief post to be in the front of Nashville

Sumner County-–1. Subaltern. 1. Serj. 2 Corporals and 17. Privates

That besides these 2 Subalterns and thirty mounted Militia be allowed the district.

That six small iron howitzers with one hundred rounds of ammunition each be transported immediately from Philadelphia to Fort Pitt and thence to Nashville by water.

That also two hundred of the old muskets wanting repair at Fort Washington be ordered to the same place.3 These may be repaired at Nashville by the Inhabitants—That these stores be put under the orders of General Robertson who is already in the pay of the United States as a Sub Agent of Indian affairs.4 All which is respectfully submitted to the President of the United States.5

H. Knox

LS, DLC:GW; LB, DLC:GW.

1On GW’s request for this report, see his letter to Knox of 10 April.

2On the memorial submitted by James White requesting federal assistance in defending the Mero District in the Southwest Territory from Indian attacks, see Knox to GW, 9 April, and n.1 to that document. For the text of the congressional report of 8 April, see Carter, Territorial Papers description begins Clarence Edwin Carter et al., eds. The Territorial Papers of the United States. 27 vols. Washington, D.C., 1934–69. description ends , 4:335–36.

3Fort Washington was located at present-day Cincinnati, Ohio.

4On the appointment of James Robertson as a “temporary agent” to the Chickasaw Indians at a salary of $400 per year, see Knox to William Blount, 22 April 1792 (Carter, Territorial Papers description begins Clarence Edwin Carter et al., eds. The Territorial Papers of the United States. 27 vols. Washington, D.C., 1934–69. description ends , 4:139–42).

5For GW’s reply, see his letter to Knox of 12 April.

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