Letter from Aeneas Mackay to Arthur St. Clair

v1:682

Pittsburgh, July 25, 1774.

DEAR SIR: The last accounts brought in here from the Indian country by Captain White Eyes I have transmitted to you yesterday by express. I have there informed you that you should be furnished with White Eyes' s speech as soon as it could be procured from Captain McKee, from whom we have since obtained a copy, which will be delivered to you by Richard Butler, who is kind enough to go to Ligonier at the request of Messrs˙ Spear, Smith, and myself, as well with these papers, as consult you about other matters that we are all equally interested in. You know Mr˙ Butler to be both a man of sense and a faithful Pennsylvanian; therefore his reports are to be depended on. We are of opinion that it is absolutely necessary that immediate application should be made to Government in favour of the Delawares, that some steps may be taken to reward the fidelity of that people, especially such of them as will undertake to reconnoitre and guard the frontiers of this Province, which they say they will do, from the hostile designs of the Shawanese; and as by that means they will be prevented from following their own occupations, it would be no more than right to supply all their necessary wants, while they continue to deserve it so well at our hands.

There is nothing but the dread my family are in of the Indians approaching this place in my absence that would prevent my going in person to see you at this time in your present dangerous indisposition. I hope to hear by the bearer on his return of your getting the better of your disorder, and till then I remain, dear sir, your most obedient servant,

AENEAS MACKAY.