National Gazette

Extract of a letter from a gentleman in the Western country to his friend in Philadelphia, Dec. 22.

“The disastrous fate of our little army strikes a damp on every mind here, but when viewed in its natural consequences, is inexorably alarming—God knows what shall next be done!—We had formed some expectations from the Kentucky militia that were said to have gone out; but I believe there is nothing in that.

“There is no doubt but that the pay must be raised at least to six dollars, or no men worth having can be got. The plan of retaining of posts detached from the settlements and each other, I, from the beginning, thought a visionary one, unless connected with the idea of forming settlements round each of the posts. Donations of land ought to be made to the first families that would settle round them. Strong garrisons ought to be placed in them to defend them; bribe the Indians to sally out in case of an attack on the settlement, and keep themselves and settlers safe. Companies of the best woodsmen and marksmen, of honest pride but savage manners and as much Indians as possible, ought to be retained in the forts to prowl abroad among the Indians in parties of ten, twenty, and thirty; surprise their towns in all quarters, and kill and burn without distinction. This idea, so repugnant to the feelings of a civilized mind, and so shocking to a Philadelphian ear, I hesitate not to express, from a perfect conviction that it is necessary for our safety, and is the only shield we can place effectually before us. Their minds must be kept in agitation at home or we can never be safe. It is in vain, I think, to attempt to bind Indian nations by treaty. Where is our security in men without government. Ten men in every nation are sufficient to harass the frontiers incessantly. And we can find an hundred savages or ruffians in every county among ourselves that would do as much for gain if they had no fear of laws. If we had no European rivals we might do all by treaty, because their own interests would oblige them to be at peace for the sake of our trade, if they could not do without it. But till they have no other market than ours for European articles, it is idle to imagine that we can secure our peace from them but by force and fear. My scalping plan is liable to this objection, that if we have any friends among the Indians, our scouts, for the sake of gain, (for to make them vigilant they ought to have additional pay according to their services) would not hesitate much to attack our friends. There will therefore be a necessity to establish forts at Presque Isle, &c. and make a chain between the six nations and other Indians; this might secure the ostensible friendship of the six nations, which would be something, and if we had their real friendship, would keep them in countenance, and furnish them with protection against the others. In the forts near their friends they ought to have no scouting party, but a garrison and settlers. These garrisons would protect the settlers. The settlers would feed the garrison, and all together would form a good barrier for this country.”