Page:Memoir, correspondence, and miscellanies, from the papers of Thomas Jefferson - Volume 1.djvu/215

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There seems to be but one method of preventing this, which is, to give the western enemy employment in their own country. The regular force Colonel Clarke already has, with a proper draft from the militia beyond the Alleganey, and that of three or four of our most northern counties, will be adequate to the reduc tion of Fort Detroit, in the opinion of Colonel Clarke ; and he as signs the most probable reasons for that opinion. We have, there fore, determined to undertake it, and commit it to his direction. Whether the expense of the enterprise shall be defrayed by the Con tinent or State, we will leave to be decided hereafter, by Congress, in whose justice we can confide, as to the determination. In the mean time, we only ask the loan of such necessaries as, being al ready at Fort Pitt, will save time and an immense expense of transportation. These articles shall either be identically or speci fically returned ; should we prove successful, it is not improbable they may be w r here Congress would choose to keep them. I am, therefore, to solicit your Excellency s order to the commandant at Fort Pitt, for the articles contained in the annexed list, which shall not be called for until every thing is in readiness ; after which, there can be no danger of their being wanted for the post at which they are : indeed, there are few of the articles essential for the defence of the post.

1 hope your Excellency will think yourself justified in lending us this aid, without awaiting the effect of an application elsewhere, as such a delay would render the undertaking abortive, by post poning it to the breaking up of the ice in the lake. Independent of the favorable effects, which a successful enterprise against De troit must produce to the United States, in general, by keeping in quiet the frontier of the northern ones, and leaving our western militia at liberty to aid those of the South, we think the like friendly office performed by us to the States, whenever desired, and almost to the absolute exhausture of our own magazines, give well founded hopes that we may be accommodated on this occa sion. The supplies of military stores, which have been furnished by us to Fort Pitt itself, to the northern army, and, most of all, to the southern, are not altogether unknown to you. I am the more urgent for an immediate order, because Colonel Clarke awaits here your Excellency s answer by the express, though his pre sence in the western country, to make preparations for the expe dition, is so very necessary, if you enable him to undertake it. To the above, 1 must add a request to you to send for us to Pitts- burg, persons proper to work the mortars, &ic. as Colonel Clarke has none such, nor is there one in this State. They shall be in