South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1836-05-14
WAsHINeroN, May Z.

Serious apprehensions are entertain.
ed in some Quarters that the war on
our Western border may cross that Dor :
der into our own territories. We hope
there is no danger of such a state OF
things. The Executive, however,
thinks it necessary to make provision
for such contingency and bill was
yesterday reported and received its list
reading 10 the House Of Representa-
tives, for appropriating one million Of
dollars extra for the defence OF the
Western frontier. The following Let
ter from the Secretary Of War to the
Chairman ofthe Committee Of Ways
and Means was produced and read, as
showing the ground upon which the
committee had acted in reporting the
bill:
War Department. May 4, 1886.
Sir: In January last orders were
given to Major General Gaines to take
measures for the defence OF the Wes-
tern frontier Of Louisiana. Events
which were then passing in Texas led
to the beliefth that state Of fittings might
arise requiring the interposition Of the
Government to protect the inhabitants
Of that portion of the United States
from the calamities Of war.
There were then placed, subjec. to
Gen. Gaines orders, three regiments
Of infantry and seven companies Of
dragons, and he was instructed to
prevent by force, if necessary, any
armed parties from crossing the bonn-
Diary lide into the territory Of the U.
States. He was also informed that
the SD article ofthe treaty with Mex
leo imposes upon both of the contrac-
ting parties the duty Of preventing all
hostile incursions on the part ofthe To-
dams into the possessions of the other /;
aud he was directed 10 take the neces-
sary measures for fulfilling this obliga.
ton on the part Of the United States.
He was also instructed, if called upon
By the civil authority for any aid to-
wards enforcing the laws having rela-
ton 10 the neutral duties of the United
States, to render such assistance as the
the laws prescribe. And he Was re-
ferred to the District Attorneys of the
two districts OF Louisiana for their o.
pinion upon such points OF law con-
nected with his duty as might arise.
He was also particularly advised that
it wis the duty Of the United States to
remain entirely neutral, and to cause
their neutrality to be respected.
BY information recently received
from Gen. Gaines il appears that he
considers it necessary that bis force
should be increased, with view to az
ford proper protection to the frontiers /;
he has therefore called upon each of
the Governors Of Louisiana, Mississip-
pi, and Tennessee for brigade, and
upon the Governor OF Alabama for
battalion ofmilitia; the whole, or as
many Of them as practicable, to be
mounted. He reports that the Mexi.
can forces are rapidly approaching the
border, and he anticipates that as soon
as they have reached the vicinity of
the Indians, these will join in the con-
test /; and that the Indian force will
respect no boundary line and the op.
erations in Texas; as described by
Gen. Gaines, cannot fail TO produce
favorable effect upon the cruel dispo-
si.ion and predatory habits of the Indi.
ans.
have therefore the honor to suggest
to the committee of Ways and Means
the propriety Of an appropriation of
one million OF dollars $40 defray the
expenses attending the defence Of the
Western frontier OF the United States,
to be expended under the direction Of
Inc Secretary Of War, conformably to
the provision of the act Of April 8, IS.
80, making appropriations for the sup
port of the Army"
l enclose, for the information of the
committee, letter from the Quarter
master General. Very respectfully,
your obedient servant,
LEWIS CASS.
Hon. c. c. CAMBRELENe, Chair
man &c.
SANTA ANNA, We understand, has