University of Virginia Library

TO ISAAC SHELBY.[71]

Dear Sir I recd. your favor of the 18th July a
few days only before I left Washington, which was
on the 9th instant. If any doubt had ever existed
of the patriotism or bravery of the Citizens of Kentucky,
it would have been turned into an admiration
of both by the tests to which the war has put them.
Nor could any who are acquainted with your history
and character, wish the military services of your fellow
Citizens to be under better direction than yours.
How far a call on you and them, according to the
provision made by your Legislature, will take place,

must depend on the wants of Genl Harrison who will
be regulated in his applications for succour by his own
prospects on L. Erie, & by the operations on & below
L. Ontario, which must have a considerable bearing
on his. We do not despond tho' we ought not to be too
sanguine, that the effect of our naval preparations on
the several Lakes, and the proper use of the forces
assembled on & convenient to them, will soon relieve
the distant militia & volunteers from much of the demands
which the course of the war on our inland frontier
has made on them. Should it happen otherwise it
is consoling to know that such resorts exist as those to
which your letter contains so favorable an example.