Daniel Brodhead letter to George Washington, 27 March 1781

Fort Pitt, 27 March, 1781,

Dear General,

I am honored with your favor of the 28th ultimo, and am thankful for the contents. I have acknowledged the receipt of your letter of the 29th of December, and shall give every encouragement to General Clark's intended enterprise. I wish he may be in readiness before the waters fail, and the Kentucky settlements are destroyed by the enemy. But I am informed that little or nothing hath as yet been done at his boat-yards, and that the militia he expected from this side of the mountain are availing themselves of the unsettled jurisdiction.

Since my last, a small paper was brought to me by some faithful Indians, who found it rolled up very neatly in a powder-horn, which a disaffected person had lost near the waters of the Sandusky. I take the liberty to inclose a copy of it. I have discovered the writer, and put him in irons; but as, too probably, some of the garrison are concerned, he may escape before he meets the reward of his demerit. Indeed, this place is infested with such a set of disaffected inhabitants, that I have been under the necessity of ordering some away, and others must soon follow, to prevent greater injury to the service.

A number of Delaware Indians, from Coochocking, have been here since my last, and appear to be as friendly as ever. I am persuaded that a few are well affected ; but they are now put to the trial, by being ordered to remove hither without loss of time, and remain under our protection, where their daily transactions will be seen and known.

I have called upon the county Lieutenants for a few of the militia ; and if I am not disappointed as usual, I intend to surprise the Indian towns about Coochocking. Two Delaware Indians, who, in their cups, spoke contemptuously of our service, I have confined in irons ; but I am at a loss what farther to do with them, until I see what number joins us, and hear what their general conduct has been. Immediately after the termination of the intended excursion, I will avail myself of your indulgence to represent the state of things in this district. I have the honor to be, with the most perfect respect and esteem, &c.,

Daniel Brodhead.

P. S. By the arrangement, it appears that Captain Brady is arranged in the third Pennsylvania regiment ; but, as he cannot be more useful than he is in this part of the country, I hope he will be permitted to remain until the campaign is closed.