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OSL JOHN MILLS ET AL. TO MEIGS

To his exoellenoy the Governor of the State of Ohio

The depredations committed on our frontier have induced the Citizens of this County to take some measures for the better security of the in- habitants, and as the measures adopted are only temporary -- we address your Honour as the only source from whence a perminent system of security can flow. -- We feel, not only a wish, to have a better regulated system of defence, but also a desire to endeavour if possible, to remove a prejudius we are inform'd your has conciev'd unfavourable to the In- habitants of this County, the cause of which if true might be easily removed, could your Honour have the subject fairly & impartially inves- tigated. -- We feel, as we ought to as, the ties that bind us in the general compact, and are willing, and ready, at all times to perform our part in the Contest that is to decide the fate of our beloved Country. - But sir there is a time when obedience to superiors in command would be- come a crime, that time has come, and we will endeavour to convince your Honour, that in the present case, the crime of disobedience were of less Magnitude, than the act of obeying. -- in justification to our conduct it will be necessary to inform you, but your Honour will recollect with what primptitude the people of this County have obeyed the different calls, and some of those calls at a time when their mere existance depended on their attension at hom -- all this was but a secondary consideration when their country claim'd their assistance -- and the late call would have been as readily attended to as former ones, had the superior Officers conducted themselves with that propriety, that was look'd for from Men of their rank -- and sorry are we to state, (but the honour of this County demands it) that their has been sufficient reason for the people of this County to believe that their superior officers, (viz Colonel Enas & Majr. Kratzer) have been endeavoring to speculate on the necessities of the people in their official capacity -- this Sir is the almost universal opinion of the people of Knox County and that opinion appearing to be well founded have with some other specimens of their conduct at the time of the late call, induced the people to withdraw their support from those Officers -- We think this sufficient to shew the cause (altho' at the time of the call the Harvest was not near gather'd in] of there being so free[?] to go on with the Officers. -- If these officers we have pointed out, should feel themselves agriv'd, we feel desirous a fair and im- partial investigation should tale place, on that ground we feel ready & willing to meet them. --

Majr. Watson being very much indisposed, requests us to inform your Honour that immediately after the last alarm and depredation was committed at Mansfield, he order'd out from the Regiment 30 Men on a tour of 20 days to range the frontier -- and he further wishes instructions on the propriety of continueing men on the Frontier -- the maner by which they must be supply'd with provisions Amunition &c. -- the Men that are on duty have been supply'd with provisions on the Credit of the States, of which a regular return will be made -- but from this source [torn] will be very sufficient to draw supplies. --

We may further state to you[r] Honour that if other depredations should be committed and no regular force out, that the Frontier Inhabitants will leave their homes, and where the frontier will be we cant pretend to say. -

With sentiments of respect we subscribe ourselves yours &c &c, -

John Mills
Wm H Tarquhay
John Tremble
Samuel Watson, Major

August 27th 1813