Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1844-12-13
(Contiden,ial.)
ADJrTASr GENERALS OFFICE.

Sir-The general in chief has received instruc-
tions, through the Department OF State, from the
Executive 10 hold the troops within your depart
meni at Forts Towson and Washita, ready TO
march, in case OF a rcquisition being made By
the United States Charge d. Alaircs residing near
the Government of Texas, 10 such point within
our limits, or those of Texas as the Charge may
designate in order TO restrain any hostile incur
sion on the part Of the border Indians as required
by the provisions OF existing treaties.
You will please take such preliminary mea-
sures as may be deemed necessary 10 put those
troops in march for the above purpose at short
notice.
II is understood that any rcquisilion that may
be made upon Forts roWson and WaSha will
leave al least one company at each OF those posts
10 guard the same.
Should the apprehen,ed ho>tlies with the In
dians alluded 10, break ont, an officer Of rank
will he sent 10 command the United States forces
placed in the field, and who will receive hence
further instructions for his Government.
have the honor 10 be, sir,
Your oledicEt servant,
l.. THOMAS, Assist Adjt. Gen.
Brig Gen NJ. ARBucSLg,
Commanding 81 dept, Fort Smith, Arkansas
ECopv OF despatch from Mr. Calhoun to Mr.
Howard, referred 10 in his letter to Mr. Donelson
Of the l7lh of September, loii
DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
Washington, September ~, 1914.
Sin Your despatch, NO. ~ transmitted
through General Taylor, enclosing copy OF
your correspondence with the Secretary of State
Of the Republic OF Texas, has been laid before
the President, vino has given 10 il that deliberate
consideration which lis importance claims.
lie approves of the construction which you
placed on The letter Of Mr. Nielsen, acting Secre-
larry OF State al interim, 10 Mr.. Murphy and
on mine 10 Mr. Van Zandi, in relation 10 the as
>uranceS To which the Texan Secretary OF Stale
refers in his letter, Ia which yours is reply
But hc nslructs You 10 assure The Government oi
Texas that he feels the lnll force of the obliga-
ton of this Governmental project Texas, pending
the question oil Annexation, against the attacks
which Mexico may make on her in consequence
OF her acceptance OF the proposition OF this Go
vernment To open negotiations on the subject oi
anneXing Texas 10 the United States. is far
ii relates 10 The Executive Department, he is pre-
pared 10 use all lis powers Tor that purpose. En-.
The Government of Texas is fully aware that they
ale circumscribcd by The Constitution within mar
row limits, which it would not be possible for the
President 10 transcend. All that lie can do is, 10
make suitable representations 10 the Mexican
Governments against the rene wal of the war pend
in. the question of Annexation, and the savage
manner in which il is proposed to conduct it, ac-
companicd by appropriate protests and indica
lions ol the feelings with which he regards both;
and TO recommend Congress 10 adopt measures TO
rcpcl any attack which may be made.
In the execution OF the first, a communication
"a copy Of which is encloscj) has been addressed
10 our minister in Mexico and forwarded 10 him
by special messenger, which, it is to be hoped,
will not be without effect in arresling her hostile
movements You will give copy OF i, 10 the
Texian Government, and you will assure it, that,
when Congress meets the President will recon-
mend the adoption OF measures 10 protect Texas
effccually against the attacks OF Mexico, pend
ing the question of annexation. He hopes that
these measures will prove satisfactory 10 the Gov
eminent of Texas and that no serious invasion
will be attempted, at least, before the meeting Of
Congress.
enclose copy Of 4 despatch 10 our minister
at Paris, which you may show 10 President Hous
ton and the Secretary of State. Ii will doubtless
be satisfactory 10 them 10 learn that France is not
disposed, in any event, to take hostile attitude
in reference 10 annexation. A despatch, OF a
subsequent date TO the one 10 which the enclosed
is an answer, gives conversation between Mr..
Guzot and our minister, equally satisfactory as
that with the King. lie stated, in reply 10
question on the part Of our minister, that France
had not agreed 10 unite with Eng and in protest
against annexation.
| am happy 10 add, in conclusion, that ne indi-
cations of public sentiment are highly favorable
to the cause Of annexation, and that we riay now
look forward with much confidence 10 the con-
summation OF that great measure al no distant pc
Rod
am, Sir, very respectfully, your obedient SER
want, J. c. CALHOUN.
To Tighman A. Howard, &c, &c, &c.
(Remainder on Second Page)