[FN] So filed in Brant's own hand, on the copy preserved among his papers.
"Grand River, 19th July, 1794.
"Sir: I have to acknowledge the receipt of your favor of the 16th instant, enclosing the extracts his Excellency has been pleased to favor me with, for which I have to request you would have the goodness to thank his Excellency for me.
"I am much concerned to find that the Lake Indians think their belts completed. [FN-1] I foresaw the event, [FN-2] for which reason it has ever been my opinion that they should avoid coming to any considerable engagement, because it is a custom among the Indians, that after having struck a good blow, and having taken prisoners and scalps, they return home. Nevertheless I hope they will not go."
[FN-1] Captain Brant had just received a letter from Detroit, dated on the 5th of July, one paragraph of which explains the signification of this expression: "The Mackinaw and Lake Indians, having completed the belts they carried, with scalps and prisoners, seem resolved on going home again. The return of these people will considerably weaken the defence expected from the collected sections of two thousand Indians."
[FN-2] Referring, doubtless, to an engagement between Little Turtle and Major McMahon, which will be more particularly noted a page or two onward.
"In regard to the Presque Isle business, should we not get an answer at the time limited, it is our business to push those fellows hard, and therefore it is my intention to form my camp at Pointe Appineau; and I would esteem it a favor if his Excellency the Lieutenant Governor would lend me four or five batteaux. Should it so turn out, and should those fellows not go off, and O'Bail continue in the same opinion, an expedition against those Yankees must of consequence take place.
"His Excellency has been so good as to furnish us with a cwt. of powder, and ball in proportion, which is now at Fort Erie; but in the event of an attack upon Le Bœuf people, I could wish, if consistent, that his Excellency would order a like quantity in addition to be at Fort Erie, in order to be in readiness: likewise I would hope for a little assistance in provisions.
"I would request that his Excellency would favor me with an answer by the bearer, Seth. I would also trouble his Excellency in regard to those people who went with him to Detroit. They were promised to be handsomely rewarded, which as yet has not been done; and as they now expect to go upon service, they are rather impatient; and if it was convenient that they could be satisfied, either by borrowing goods, or otherwise, as his Excellency would think fit, I would be extremely happy.