Letter from Captain Arthur St. Clair to Joseph Shippen

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Ligonier, October 17, 1774.

SIR: Having accidentally met with my friend Mr˙ Mackay at this place, I take the liberty to introduce him to you. He has an answer to the Messages the Governour sent to the Shawanese and Delawares, not unfriendly, but which you will very well understand. Mr˙ Mackay is one of the Magistrates that was sent to Virginia. He is a warm friend to this Government, and has some idea of his own importance. I wish you would please to introduce him to the Governour, him tell his story. I need not tell you how far a little attention will go with people of a certain character; but this you may depend on, he is an upright, honest man. Excuse my mentioning it, but these gentlemen' s expenses on that Virginia trip should certainly be paid them: I know, however, he will not mention it, nor would he forgive me if he knew that I had done it. I dont know how it is, but I am very apt to get into matters I have no sort of business with, and which indeed does not become me; but I will add that I am with the greatest esteem, sir; your very humble and most obedient servant,

AR˙ ST˙ CLAIR.

N˙ B˙ Past ten o' clock.