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The above Committee previous to these proceedings onthe above mentioned Journey were furnished withpermission from Government expressed in Lettersfrom the secretary of State addressed to gov. St.Clair and Gen. Wayne, being as follows, Philad.Department of State May 31st 1796Sir Mr. Henry Drinker of this city whose respe-table standing among the Society of Friends and asour fellow citizen you will know has informed methat a dellegation of five president judicious menof religious Caracters have been deputed by therebrethren of that Society in Maryland to visit theIndian Tribes NW of the river Ohio for the purposeof learning their situation and disposition and thenceto judge of the practicability of introducing amongthem the simplest and most useful arts of civil Life.The result of their enquiries and observations they areto report on their return to the Society. The approbation of the President has been askedand obtained. The object of this letter is to communicatethe same to you and to request of you towards thedelegation all the protection &; countenance to whichtheir respectable characters and philanthropic viewsentitle them. Most attempts at civilizing the Indians