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McARTHUR TO WORHTINGTON

Fruit hill May 22nd 1813

Dear Sir,

On last evening I returned from ray tour to the West. I set out before you left horie with the view of attending to the recruiting service, in the lower end of the state, agreeable to my instructions from the secy of war. On my arival at Urbana I recd. intelegence that the Cannonading was kept up at Camp Meigs on the 4th, and that no person could pass out or into the Fort. I immediately conisulted the militia officers and principal persons in Champaign and green, oil the subject of attempting to raise a volunteer mounted corps, for the purpose of relieving Genl. Harrison, this place was agreed upon and in two days collected and prepared for tile field 331 men about 260 of whom were mounted. oir object was to unite with the forces under Governor Meigs from the Scioto and upper end of the state; at, or near Fort Findlay, and then force our way into Camp Meigs. I dispached expresses, both to the governor and Genl. Harrison, & at the place where I expected to meet the troops from the Scioto, I recd orders from Genl. Harrison to return with the troops which had put themselves under my command and dismiss them at Urbana

when the frontier inhabitants who went with me were about leaving home, many of them expressed an anxiety to have so-::e of those Indians, who reside on our borders and who profess friendship, alonge with us, by way of security for the good behaviour of those who were left at home. consequently I invited a few of those Indians to accompany us. they at first professed a willingness to do so, and promised to meet us at Solomon's Town, as we passed on our way. When we arrived at the place appointed no Indians met with us.

I directed the men to march on, and turned out to inquire as to the cause why the Indians did not cor,e on agreeably to promis. They apologized and said they were not ready but would overtake us i two days. I then followed the detachment anc overtook then at McArthur & proceeded with the men to the neighbourhood o: F. Findlay and (after receiving Genl Harrison's orders) re- turned in five days but not an Indian had followed us agreeably to promise. We understand however, that several of their young men disappeared about the time our troops marched, and had not returned, the last account we heard from their camp.

From the disposition that many of those pet Indians evinced during the siege of Camp Meigs, we have good reason to believe that they are only waiting to join the strongest party.

Many of the inhabitants have already fled, and the breaking up of the Northwestern fronteer has only been prevented by the military movements of last week. The inilabitants are not only alarmed at the conduct of the Indians, but are extreamly jea lous of the agents who have the management of Indian affairs and reside on the frontiers. they cannot bear to hear of removing the friendly Indians, within the settlements, as they must either change their residence, or lose their appointments. It is the unanimous wish of all, that you should see the president and secretary of war on this subject and do all in your power to save the lives of the people and the frontier from breaking.

respectfully yours

Duncan McArthur

The frequent calls on the militia of Ohio operates much against the recruit- ing service, whilst from one to two hundred dollars is given for a substitute

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