Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1836-05-13

States the determination of the Government 10 prevent
any hostile incursons into Texas and you will call upon
INC chiefs to inculca.e upon all their people the necessity
oi carefully abstlDng from any violation OF the above
mentioned engagement, and you will hesitate to use
the iorce 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 of the United States you will render
such assistance the laws prescribe.
You requested TO communicate freely with the
District Attnrnes OF both the Districts Of Louisiana
all points of law connected with the execution of the in
slrucons, and those officers will be desired give you
their opinion.
will thank you to keep me advised Of any occurren
ces in that quarter, which it may be important fox the
Government u know.
Very respectfully, your obed;ent servant,
LEW. CAss.
Maj. Gen. E. p. GAINES Memphis, Tennessee
HEAD. QuAnrEns, WESTERN DEPARTMENT,
Baton Rouge, 29M ..Narch, 1886.
Sir: have received, not until yesterday, official
copy of your letter Of the 23d January last by which
have the satisfaction 10 be informed that the President
Of e United Suites has been pleased IL direct my i'm
mediate attention TO the Western frontier Of the State Of
Louisiana order 10 preserve, if necessary, by force
the neutrality Of the United States.
In obedience 10 this order have nvuiled myself of
The very first S. Is. conveyance that offered after the
cpt of the ORDER to proceed to Baton Rouge 10 enable
to ascertain to what extent the arsenal there will fur
nsh ordnance and ordnance stores for the prompt and
efficient discharge Of the duties gned to me-dnes
which derive great importance from the recent accounts
of the sangunary manner in which the Mexican forces
seem disposed 10 carry on the against Texan
nrigLbors. (See the accompanying newspapers)
Upon this point, take leave to suggest whether it
may may not become necessary, in defence,
10 speak 10 the concndng begecnts in language not
10 he IH5pndcslood-a language requiring force. and
military supplies, that shall be sufficient il necessary,
for the protection OF frontier, to chcc the savage
operations Of each Of the contending parties, who may
forget 10 respect the laws Of war and our neutral rights
inI S,fns shall h,,o .II
mcnt of existing difficulties, put end 10 scenes Of bar
barism, which cannot but endanger the peace and other
vital interests of all the parties concerned-scenes Of
barbsTism dsgraceiu 10 all who enact or tolerate them
Should find any disposition on the part Of the Next
their red allies TO menace our frontier canno
but deem TO be my duty not only to hold the troops Of
my command in readiness for action in defence OF our
slender frontier, but to anticipate their lawess move
nens, by crossing supposed or imaginary national
boundary, and meeting the savage marauders wherever
10 be found, in their approach towards our frontier
Should ! err in this view Of the subject in which,
howe yer convinced the laws Of and of nations
will bear me out shall be gratied TO receive the views
of the President, to which shall scrupulousy adhere
But if it be otherwise, if my views approved
shall in that event have occasion for mounted VOL
uuteers with other forces sufficient to make my nuncri-
cal strength equal TO the estimated strength of the
tending parties, which is estimated at eight thousand
to twelve thousand men, 5000 to $4,000 men) With
view 10 this possible contingency have already desired
the fine Legionary Brigade, commanded by General
PIunche, Of The city of New Orleans to calculate on the
possibility Of my haeng occasion 10 i"ote the Legion TO
join To this suggestion the officers OF the Legion,
with the gallant General at their head cordially respond
ed that they would whenever it might be deemed ne
cessary promptly repair the frontier delighted with
the opportunity of carrying into effect the wishes OF the
President under whose immediate command many OF
these officers had distinguished themselves IN the de-
fence OF their city and State in the memorable ,rumphs
of December, lSl4, and January, lol5.
All which is submitted for the information Of the Pc
sident of the United States With profound respect,
Major General Commanding.
To the Hon. LEwIa CAss, Secretary Of War;
p 81 arrived at the city Of New Orleans at7 A. NJ,
and departed terefrom board this steamboat at P.
a. yesterday having taken my passage on board the
steamboat the Lcrant bound from n. Orleans for Nachl.
.oclcs and to be at Baton Rouge the Isl April Fri.
day next. f. T. u.
Fort JEsup, LOUISIANA,
.1prl IS, 1886.
SIR: Your letter of the 10Th utmo was received at
the Department few days since, but have been pre-
vented by iudsposition from giving it earlier answer
enclose for your information copy of the nemoran
dunn of official conference, between the Secretary of
State and the Mexican Minister respecting the present
stale of aiars upon the Southwestern borders Of the
United States You will consider, as part of your in.
strucous, the declaration made by the Secretary of
State, aad govern yourself accordingly.
It is not the wish ofthe President 10 take advantage Of
present circumstances and thereby obtain possession OF
any portion Of the Mexican Territory. STILL however,
the neutral Duties well the neutral rights OF the w.
Sttes will Justify the Government in taking all neces
say TO prevent violation OF their territory
Recent induce the belief that the Mexican forces
Us well as the inhabitants Of Texas, must be in high
state of excitement 10 that portion OF the country there
ore many Indian tribes whose habiIual predspostonto
engage in war, is II known, as is also their reckless
disregard Of any Of the claims of humanity And from
information which has reached the Government there
is too much to believe that efforts have been made
to induce these Indians to join the Mexican troops II
may therefore, we'll be- as you anticipate thai thesc va
marlin
and that the lives and property OF our citlzens may
be placed in jeopardy Should this be the case, the
President approves The suggestion you make, and
you are authorized to take such POSITION on either
side Of the imaginary boundary line, as may be
best for YOUR defensive operations You WILL however,
under no circumstances, advance farther than old Fort
Nacogdochcs which is within the limits of the United
States as claimed by this Government. But you Will
peose TO observe that this permission will not be exer
ciscd unless you should find such advanced position
necessary to afford due security 10 the frontier in conse
ouence Of the unsettled state Of things beyond you
You will please to explain, fully, your views and IN
strucons to any armed parties who may be marching
towards YOU and should they continue to threaten your
posi,ion or 10 manifest des gn OF crossing into the
United States you are authorized 10 attack ana repe1
them
have this day, by direction Of the President request
cd the Governors Of Louisiana and Mississippi TO call
into service any militia force you may find necessary for
the protection of the frontiers. This force must be call
ed out for term of not less than six months from the
day they reach their rendezvous be discharged any
time by the United States. The necessary means will
be furnished to the officers of the proper staff depart
ments, for such supplies as may be required
need hardly say that the duty committed to you IS
one of great importance we'll Of great decacy ana
do not doubt will be executed to On .e
one hand the proper safety of the frontier while on the
other hand little offence as possoe WIN t De
given to any foreign authority nave Of YOUR proceed
you "ouio Keep h'e 'esD' l.. c.
ings rp
COPIED from the e,terbook OF the war oep"'''ne"'1
DEPARTMENT STATE,