Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1836-05-19
CONGREns.
TEXIAN AFFAIRS.
SATURDAY., MAY 4.


a committee Of the whole on the gene
raj appropriation bill, returned from
the Sena.e with amendments.
The amendments OF the Senate were
agreed TO, and the committee rose and
reported the bill and amendments,
which were concurred in.
The bill to provide for the payment
OF certain officers therein named," re-
turned from the Senate with amend
ments, was also considered in the COM
mittee Of The whole, and the amend
ments OF the Senate were agreed 10.
The bill was reported and the House
concurred IN the Senate's amendments
DEFENCE or TUE WESTERN FROM
TIER.
Mr.. Cambreleng moved the suspen-
sion of the rules, for the purpose OF GO
ing into a committee OF the whole on
the state Of the Union on the bill
making an appropriation Of one million
Of dollars for the protection of the wes-
tern frontier.
Mr.. &. said this was 4 subject which
could not be postponed. The danger
OF hostilities on the Western frontier
was imminent. A month ago he had
given it as his opinion here that we
we're slumbenng at our posts; and a
month hence would, he believed, con-
vince us of it 10 our cost.
MIR. GlaSscock asked the yeas and
nays on the motion, and they were or
dered. The question being taken, the
motion was agreed to-yeas l5o, nays
81.
On motion of Mr.. Cambreleng, the
House then went into committee
Of the whole. Mr.. b. Whit,lesey in the
Chair-on the above mentioned bill
Mr.. c. cent 10 the Chair a number Of
documents from the War Department
embracing all the information in the
possession of the Department on the
subject, and they were read.
From the documents accompanying the let
ter Of the Secretary OF War, wO select the
following:
HEAD QuARTERs, WESTERN DEPARTMENT,
Baton Rouge, 29h March, 1886. {
SIR: | have received. not until yes
terday, an official copy OF your letter
of the 22d January last, by which I
have the satisfaction 10 be informed
that the President OF the L. States has
been pleased TO direct my immediate
attention to the western frontier of the
State of Louisiana, in order to pre-
serve, II necessary, by force. the neu-
trality of the u. States.
la obedience 10 this order, / have
availed myself of the very first s. B..
conveyance that offered after the re-
ceiPt Of the order, TO proceed to Ba.
ton Rouge, to enable me 10 ascertain
TO what extent the arsenal there will
furnish ordnance and ordnance store,
for the prompt and efficient discharge
of the duties assigned TO me-du;ies
v hich derive great importance from
the recent accounts Of the sanguinary
manner in which the Mexican forces
seem disposed TO carry on the war
against their Texian neighbors.
Upon this point, take leave TO sug-
gest whether II may or may not be-
come necessary. incur oira defeNce TO
speak TO the contending beiIigercnis in
a language not to be misunders,ood-
a language requiring farce. and militia
~ supplies, that shall be sufficient, ii
necessary. for the protection Of our
frontier, To check rhe savage operations
Of each Of the conlending parties.
WhO may forget TO respect the laws OF
war aud our neutral righis-un,il
Mexico and the United States shall. by
an adjustment Of existing difficulties.
put an end 90 scenes Of barbarism
which cannot bat endanger the peace
and other vital interests Of all the par
ties concerned--scenes Of barbarism
dsEraceisl 10 all Who enact o. tolerate
them.
Should fod any disposition on the
part II the MeXicans or their red allie,
10 menace our frontier. | cannot but
deem 1t my duty not only to hold the
troops ct ny command ~ readiness
for action ~ defence Of our slender
frontier. bit 90 anticipate their lAU less
movements. by crossing ouf supposed
or imaginable national boundary. and
meeting tie savage msaudcrs where.
Yer to bc found. N their approach 20.
wards our frontier.
Should ] err ~ this ,ieW Of the sub.
ljsci, 10 which. however. am oouvinc.
ed The laws II war and Of nations will
bear me out. shall be gra.ihed 10 re-.
ccise the views 81 the Pfciden, 3,
which shall scfupulously adhere. Bu
Il II be Otherwise. IL nv own view
arc approved, I shall. IN that event
have occasion for some mounted vol
nnteers, Nith other officers sufheien
10 make my numerical strength equa
to the estimated strength II The con
tending parties. which - now est
mated a. eight thousand 10 twelve thou
sand men, (s.00O 70 l1OOO msa. -
With q yieE 10 this possible eoniin
geney. ! have already desired the hn'
Legionary Bngade. commanded b,
General Piaaehs, Of the city Of New