Washington, Dec. 31, 1808 Sir, The general government of the U.S. has considered it their duty & interest to extend their care and patronage over the Indian tribes within their limits and to endeavor to render them friends, and, in time, perhaps, useful members of the nation. Perceiving the injurious effects produced by their inordinate use of spiritous liquors they passed laws authorizing measures against the vending of [illegible] each liquors among them. their introduction by traders was accordingly prohibited, and for some time was attended with the least affects. I am informed, however, that latterly the Indians have got into the practice of purchasing such liquors themselves, in the neighboring settlements of whites and of carrying them into their towns & that, in this way, our regulations, so salutary to them, are now defeated. I must, therefore, request your Excellency to submit this matter to the consideration of your Legislature. I persuade myself that, in addition to the moral inducements which will readily occur, they will find it not indifferent to their own interests to [illegible] us their aid in removing, for their neighbors, this great obstacle to their acquiring industrious habits, and attaching themselves to the regular and useful prospects of life for this purpose it is much desired that they should pass effectual laws to restrain their citizens from vending & distributing spirituous liquors to the Indians - I pray your Excellency to accept the assurances of my greatest respect. Th: Jefferson Hble Governor Harrison