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Fort James  
May 17th 1804 
Sir 
I have to acknowledge the receipt of your favour [favor]  of the 4th Inst [Instant]  by Jack Evens who armed here late last Evening with his packhorses  
I Decended [Descended]  the [unclear text: river ]  from Fort Wilkinson with 10 men and a non Commissioned officer in an old flat Acompanied [Accompanied]  by Major Addams to this [added text: place ]  where wee [we]  arrived on the 13th Instant  
Nither [Neither]  the pack horses nor the Indian Comms [Commissioners]  who wore [were]  to accompany us on the line haveing [having]  arrived at that time, and being [added text: in ]  want of flour and other necessarys [necessaries]  I sent a Mr [unclear text: Harden ]  with fore  [four]  of my men in a small barg [barge]  which was here to Derian to procure those articles he will [added text: be ]  here on saturday next the 19th at which time wore [were]  the Chiefs here to accompany me I should proceed to compleet [complete]  the line without Delay, but they have not yet arrived, and I am informed by Jack the packhorse Master, that the lower towns had a meeting subsequent to their arrangement with you, and that they had determined not to att'd [attend]  the running of the line .  
Wee [We]  are here with out guides to conduct us throu' [through]  the Country -- The Indians are dissatisfied 
 
 
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and no doubt would intercept our progress by stealing our horses, and every other means in their power -- There is but one of the gentlemen from Georgia with me -- and it is his decided opinion that it would be imprudent for us to proceed on the line without further advice or assistance -- and he himself sends off an express this morning to the Governor at Louisville stateing [stating]  our situation and requesting the attendance of the other Commissioners These are motives with me for posponeing [postponing]  the commencement of the Line untill [until]  I shall hear from you, And for that purpose send of Billy Wright with all possible dispatch to you -- you probably will have heard previous to the arriveal [arrival]  of the bearer the determination of the Indians respecting the line -- They know we we [we]  are here waiting for them -- The reluctance with which they consented to meet us, and their non attendance is a sufficient [deleted text: is a sufficient ]  [illegible text]  of their unfriendly disposition.  
Should you deem it advisable to carry the business into effect at this time (and it appears to me it should) I shall proceed with out hesitation if supported by a small Detachment of Warriors. 
 
 
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from the Upper towns, or soldiers from Fort Wilkinson, perhaps both would be best, the officers and soldiers there are inactive and anctious  [anxious]  to come -- I shall remain here with anxiety to hear from you  
 
I am with sincere esteem & regard your friend & Sevt [Servant]  
[Signed] Thos. [Thomas]  Freeman  
 
Billy Wright being unable to travail expeditiously on foot I mount him on a pack horse we have but seven, it would [deleted text: take ]  I think be necessary to have two more if convenient please send them  
 
[Signed] T. F. [Thomas Freeman]   
 
 
 
 
 
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Letter 
Thomas Freeman 
dated Fort James 
 
May 17 1804  
 
Boundary line  
 
 
17 May 1804  
 
N. 
Recd. [Received]   
22 May 
Mr. Freeman to Col. Hawkins  
17th May answered  
31st