Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1844-05-31
tNu Err -.

: conduct of such military naval forces y
have TO inform the Senate that in consequence of
tic declaration of Mexico communicated to this
Government. and by me laid before Congress at
the opening of its present session. announcing tho
determination of Mexico to regard as declara-
t ton of war against her by the United States tho
dhhnitlve ratification of any treaty with Texas
aanexing tho territory of that republic to tho u
rnted States. and the hope and belief entertained
by the Executive that the treaty with Texas for
that purpose would be speedily approved and rat
iled by the Senate. it regarded by tho Exc
cutive to become emphatically its duty to con-
centrate in tho Gulf of Mexico and it's vicinity.
n precautionary measure, large n portion OF
tho homo squadron under the command of Cap
tain Conner could well be drawn together;
and. at tho same tme, to assemble at Fort Jossup,
orc the b be OK the srvce at oe on
equipments would authorize to be detached. For
tho number of ships already in the Gulf and the
waters contiguous thereto, and such as are
placed under orders for that destination, and OF
troops now assembled upon the frontier. | refer
you to the accompanying reports from tho Secre-
taries of the War and Navy Department.. twill
also be perceived by tho Senate, by referring to
the orders of the Navy Department, which arc
herewith Transmitted, that tho naval officer IN
command of the fleet is directed to cause his ships
to perform all the duties Of fleet of observation
and to apprize the Executive of any indication OF
hostile design upon Texas, on the part OF any
nation pending the deliberations of tho Senate
upon the treaty with tho view that the same should
promptly be submitted to Congress for its mature
elaboration. AT the same timo, it IS due to my
self that should declare it my opinion, that
the United States having by the treaty of annexa-
ton acquired title to Texas, which requires only
the action Of the Senate to perfect it, other pow.
er could be permitted to invade, and by force OF
arms to possess itself of, any portion of territory
of Texas, pending your deliberations upon the
treaty, without placing itself in hostile attitude
to the United States, and justifying the employ
ment of any military means at our disposal 10
drive back the invasion. At tho Same time. 1t IS
my opinion that Mexico or any other Power Will
find in your approval of the treaty no Just cause
of against the United States nor do l beiove
that there any serious hazard of war to be found
in the fact of such approval. Nevertheless, evo-
ry proper measure will be resorted to by tho Exec
utve to preserve upon an honorable and just basis
tho public peace, by reconciling Mexico, through
liberal course of policy to the treaty ;rv,rp
WASHINGTON, May Is, 1874.
DEpARr~rNr May IA 1874.
Sir: have tho honor to transmit to you, here
with, copies Of all the orders issued from this De-
partment since it came under my charge, for tho
movement. disposition, and conduct of any por-
ton of tho military forces of tho United States,
with the exception of order restoring to Fort
Kent, in tho State of Maine, one company Of mr.
tlery. and one other order transferring from De-
of establishing fort at Copper harbor, tho
southern shore Of Lake Superior. Those two
important movements oftroops were made with
out conference with you, and with view to tho
border condition of those two positions.
further report to you sir, that at the time l
directed tho general order No. ID, of the date Of
tho lth of last month, to be issued, there were
then IN garrison at Fort Jesup, you will per-
cevo by the order itself, seven companies Of the
I'd regiment of dragons, acting ri1emen, and
recently authorized by an act of Congress to BIO
remountcd
The sixteen companies of the Sd and 4th rcgi-
ments ofinfantry constitute the additional forco
ordered, under my instructions, to be moved to-
wards the border of Texas. They wero taken
from Jefferson barracks, near st. Louis, where,
reserve, thoy constituted school of instruction
and practice and held ready to be transferred at
any time to the frontier, any Of emcrgcn-
CIV.
The orders from this Department have incrcas.
ed the force at Fort Jesup and near Natchtoches
to twenty-three companies, amounting to about
eleven hundred and fifty mon.
have the honor to be, sir, with high respect,
WILLIAM WILKINS,
Secretary of War.
To the President.
Another order details Gen. Geo. T. Taylor to
the command at Fort Jesup, and Gen. Arbucklo
to tho command at Fort Smith.
CONFIDENTIAL
ADJUTANT GENERALS OFFICE.
Washington, April 81, 1914.
Sir:-On your arrival at Natchitoches, you
will consider yourself not merely as the immedi-
ate commander of the LIST military department
but also the Commander of a CORPS OF oBsERvA-
TIoN to be reinforced by orders from this place If
deemed necessary.
In the first instance, that corpse will consist OF
the seven companies of the I'd dragons long in
garrison at Fort Jesup, together with eight COM
panies of the Sd infantry and eight of the Ath re-
Gently ordered thither.
With Q view to the convenience of the receipt
of supplies by water, tho 4ah infantry land the Sd
also, at your dscretion) may, for the present, be