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24TH CONGRESS ]
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NO. 679. |
[1ST SESSION. |
RECOMMENDATION OF AN INCREASE OF THE FORCE UNDER MAJOR GENERAL GAINES
FOR THE DEFENCE OF THE WESTERN FRONTIER OF LOUISIANA, FOR THE PRESERVATION
OF NEUTRALITY AS REGARDS TEXAS AND MEXICO, AND FOR AN ADEQUATE APPROPRIATION.
COMMUNICATED TO THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES MAY 6, 1836.
WAR DEPARTMENT, May 4, 1836.
SIR: In January last orders were given to Major General Gaines to take measures for the
defence of the western frontier of Louisiana. Events which were then passing in Texas led to
the belief that a state of things 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 placed subject to General Gaines’s orders three regiments of infantry and seven
companies of dragoons, and he was instructed to prevent by force, if necessary, any armed
parties from crossing the boundary line into the territory of the United States. He was also
informed that the 33d article of the treaty with Mexico imposes upon both of the contracting
parties the duty of preventing all hostile incursions on the part of the Indians into the
possessions of the other; and he was directed to take the necessary measures for fulfilling
this obligation on the part of the United States. He was also instructed, if called upon by
the civil authority for any aid towards enforcing the laws having relation to the neutral
duties of the United States, to render such assistance as the laws prescribe; and he was
referred to the district attorneys of the two districts of Louisiana for their opinion upon
such points of law connected with his duty as might arise. He was also particularly advised
that it was the duty of the United States to remain entirely neutral, and to cause their
neutrality to be respected.
By information recently received from General Gaines it appears that he considers it
necessary that his force should be increased, with a view to afford proper protection to the
frontiers. He has therefore called upon the governors of Louisiana, Mississippi, and
Tennessee, for a brigade, and upon the governor of Alabama for a battalion of militia, the
whole, or, as many of them as practicable, to be mounted. He reports that the Mexican forces
are rapidly approaching the border, and he anticipates that as soon as they have reached the
vicinity of the Indians that these will join in the contest, and that the Indian force will
respect no boundary line. And the operations in Texas, as described by General Gaines,
cannot fail to operate powerfully upon the cruel disposition and predatory habits of the
Indians.
I have therefore the honor to suggest to the Committee of Ways and Means the propriety of an
appropriation of one million of dollars, “to defray the expenses attending the defence of
the western frontier of the United States, to be expended under the direction of the
Secretary of War, conformably to the provision of the act of April 5, 1832, making
appropriations for the support of the army.”
I send, for the information of the committee, a letter from the quartermaster general.
Very respectfully, your most obedient servant,
LEWIS CASS.
Hon. C. C. Cambreleng, Chairman Committee of Ways and Means, House of Reps.
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QUARTERMASTER’S OFFICE, May 3, 1836.
Sir: The operations on the frontiers of Texas will require large
appropriations. I have a requisition on my table for one hundred
thousand dollars for that service, and have not a dollar to meet it.
I have received a letter from the assistant quartermaster at Natchitoches,
reporting that he had found great difficulty in obtaining land
transportation for five companies. The wagons and horses, as well as mules
for packing, must be taken from Ohio, Kentucky, or Tennessee. Should the
operations be continued through the season on the scale indicated by
General Gaines’s requisitions, a million of dollars will probably be
required for the service of this department alone.
I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant,
T. S. JESUP, Quartermaster General.
HON. SECRETARY OF WAR.
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WAR DEPARTMENT, May 5, 1836.
Sir: In consequence of the intimation contained in your note of
this date, I beg leave to observe that the request for an appropriation
of $1,000,000, for the protection of the frontier, in my letter of yesterday,
was submitted to and approved by the President.
Very respectfully, your most obedient servant,
LEWIS CASS.
Hon. C. C. Cambreleng, Chairman Committee of Ways and Means, House of Reps.
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Source:
American State Papers, House of Representatives, 24th Congress, 1st Session
Military Affairs: Volume 6, Page 412.
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