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POST WAR DECADE, 1782-1791 273 and prosperity, wishing the inhabitants be happy, & enjoy the tranquility they aim at, for which I pray the Almighty God. I am extremely flattered with the proposal you make me of holding a mutual correspondence, in which I expect to find motives to serve you, being with the most sincere regard and esteem Sir Your most obl. he. Servant [Draft by Miro] His Excellency Dan1. Smith Brigr. G1. & Commander of Miro District &ca &ca &ca Petition of People of Arkansas to Declare War on the Osage May 8, 1789 To Senor Don Joseph Valliere, Captain of the Kegiment of Infantry of Louisiana and Commandant of the Post and District of Carlos III of Arkansas. The hunters and inhabitants of the aforesaid post and river of Arkansas whose signatures appear below, lay before Your Lordship with the most profound humility their present state of great poverty, for they are not able to support their families or to pay their debts. The reason for this is that we are robbed by the Osages not only of the products of the hunt but even of our shirts. The Osages take our scalps and carry them to their villages; we are left without any means to help ourselves, and this year we have all been in the same condition. This is very grievous to us, for this river is of great value. Therefore— We humbly petition Your Lordship, in view of the above, to be pleased to communicate it to the governor general of this province with the object that he may permit us to go to war against the said Osages. We are all of one accord in requesting that we be given aid with the object of destroying them, for we believe it will be easy. In this way the river will bo free. Those who cannot go will pay, each according to his means. We hope to receive this favor from the well-known kindness of Your Lordship. Arkansas, May 5,1789. J. BT. Duchassin (Rubric), Antoine Bauvais. Pierre Mezieres, J. BT. des Revisseaux, Ira Tasser (Rubric), JN. BT. Duplace (Rubric), Jaques Langlis (Rubric) Antoine Tranquas (Rubric), John Cummons, Patrick MoLosky