Major Perrault of the Topographical Department having a few days since reported himself at this place. I have determined not to await the return of Capt. [Captain] Young but immediately to commence opening the contemplated military road from the northern boundery [boundary] of the Mississippi Territory to the lake Pon cher train [Ponchetrain], commencing at the first named point with the troops (one company) now at Fort Hampton , untill [until] the affair of the upper Mississippi will justify the removal of the two companies of the 8th Infantry now there. — Orders have been given to General Ripley to furnish two companies to commence cutting at the southern extremity of the road under the directions of Capt. [Captain] Young, Topo. [Topographical] Engineer, who has been instructed to open its thirty feet wide, causway all marshes & swamps 20 feet wide, raising them above high water mark, and to make bridges of durable materials over all streams that their means will permit.

It is much to be regretted that the Topo [Topographical] Engineers have not been furnished with the necessary mathematical instruments, as none can be procured here, and

Major Perrault's [added: total] want thereof, will, I am apprehensive, cause delay untill [until] they can be obtained from Philidelphia [Philadelphia] , as it is improbable that he can procure either a quadrant or Sextant to take the latitude, necessary on commencing the road at the north point of beginning. But as it appears to be important to connect the different sections of land cut by this road, and Genl. [General] Coffee having commenced the duty enjoined upon him; I shall loose [lose] no time in compleating [completing] it as far south as the hundred Townships, which he is directed to lay out, extends; — and shall leave this for the Tennessee river [added: for that purpose] between the 15th and 20th Inst [Instant]; or as soon as my health is sufficiently re-established to encounter the fatigue of travelling. [traveling] Before I proceed to meet the Cherokee chiefs at Hiwassee on the 20th June next. I shall expect your instructions to what specific in subjects. I shall be confined in that conference; not having, as yet, received an answer to my letter to you of the 22d [22nd] April last.

I am Sir very Respy [Respectfully] Yo. Mo. Obt. St. [Your Most Obedient Servant]

Andrew Jackson

Major Genl Comdg [General Commanding]

To Geo. [George] Graham Esqr. [Esquire] Actg Secy [Acting Secretary] of War

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Nashville 13 May 1817

Genl [General] Andrew Jackson advises of the arrival of Major Perrault — who will be ordered to commence the [added: military] Road from the northern boundary of the Mississippi to Lake Ponchestrain [Ponchetrain] — wants instructions in relation to the Cherokee Treaty. [added: June 1817]