State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1831-1836, 1836-06-07
War Department, January %, 1896.

hu DcpHtHttIlJ JuHuUy St)s lCOO'
Sr-I am instructed by the President to
request that you would repair to some prop
er position near the western frontier of the
State of Louisiana, and there assume the
personal command of all the troops of the
United States who are, or may he employed
in any part Of the region adjoining the Mex
lean boundary. 1t is not the object of this
order to change at all the relations between
yourself and the military departments I'M
der your command, but to require your
personal presence at point where public
considerations demand the exercise of great
discretion and experience. An ordcc will
be issued without delay to the sixth regi-
ment, TO proceed to Fort Jesup; and this
force, together with all the troops in the
western part Of Louisiana, and in the cOun
try west of the Mississippi and south of the
Missouri rivers, will be employed, as occa-
sion may require, in carrying into effect the
Instructions herein communicated 10 you.
The state of affairs in Texas calls for i'm
mediate measures on the part of the Gov
eminent. 1t is the duty of the United States
to remain entirely neutral, and to cause
their neutrality to be respected. 1t is pos
Sibe that the course of operations may in
duce one or other of the coutcnding parties
to approach the boundary line, with u view
to cross it in arms. Should Won find that
the case, you will give notice to the persons
having the direction, that they will not be
permitted to cross into the territory of the
United States, and if they attempt to do so
by force, you will resist them with the
means at YOUR disposal.
The 33d article of the treaty with Mexi-
co requires both the contracting parties to
prevent, 10y force, all hostilitles and insur-
sions OIL the part Of the Indian nations lv-
ing within their respective boundaries, so
that the United States of America will not
suffer their Indians to attack the citizens of
the Mexican States" &c.
The provisions of this article you will
cause TO be faithfully enforced, and the va
rious Indian agents and the officers of the
Indian department in that region, will be
required to furnish you any information in
their power in relation TO this matter, and to
carry into effect any Instructions you may
give. You will make known TO the various
Indian tribes inhabiting that part of the u
nlted States, the determination Of the gov
eminent to prevent any hostile incursions
into Texas, and you will call upon the
chiefs to incucate upon all their people the
necessity of carefully abstaining from any
violation of the above mentioned engage
ment, and you will not hesitate to use the
force at your disposal for the purpose of
preventing any such designs.
Should you be called upon by the civil
authority for any aid towards enforcing the
laws having relation to the neutral duties
ofthe United States, you will render such
assistance as the laws prescribe.
You are requested to communicate freely
with the District Attorneys of both the dis
tricts of Louisiana, on all points oflaw con-
nected with the execution of the instruc-
ton and those officers will be desired to
give you their opinion.
will thank you to keep me advised of
any occurrences in that quarter, which it
may be important for the Government TO
know.
Very respectfully, your obedient servent,
LEW. CASS.
Major General E. p. GAINES,
Memphis, Tennessee.