Charles van Notten to John Adams, November 28, 1785

Devonshire Square 28 Novem r 1785

Sir

I beg pardon for troubling You on a very disagrable Subject, but not being able to procure a sufficient Information in any other manner, I must request the favor of Y r Ex’ Information & is if it is true, the Report circulated here, of a Party of Indians, having about the 29 th: July last, fallen on a few Settlers at Great Kanhaves, & having there Scalp’t five Persons, amongst which were

M r: Jean Duval Senator of the Districht of Monougholie & the Ohio 1

& M r: Galatin who was known as a french Gent n (tho born at Geneve, from which Place he about a Year or Some Months back, on the troubles in that Town, went to Settle in America). 2

An Uncle’s of this Gent n: is very uneasy, & it will be doing him a friendly act, to let Us know, if Y r: Ex: knows if it is true, & if M r Galatin is one of those unfortunate Persons, the Name was Spelt Galatan in an Article of 15 Aug t: from New York—but differs you See but one Letter, I fear therefore it is so. The favor of a Line in answer at Your leisure directed as hereunder will oblige / sir Y r: Ex: / Most Ob t Humb: Serv t

Cha s Van Notten