inhabitants when ceded lo the United States with the finestcollon growing Section of the United Stales whose annual crop has already amounted lo millions of <loUars. If it be true that the Indians have determined to· commence hostilities as soon as the Mexicans approach the Settlements East of lhe Brasos; and that this is their Settled plan I have not a doubt, then it musl-be evident that we cannot obtain from Tennessee or from any of the central or Western States, sufficient force to prevent the apprehended depredations, as they may be to a great extant perpetrated whilst our requisitions for force are on the route to the Stales authorised lo furnish it. With this impression. I cannot but consider our promise of protection to this frontier wholly unsubstantial, and calculated to excite hopes and expectations which we shall not have the sure means of folfilling. I cannot willingly be instrumental in producing on this border scenes such as have occurred in East Florida-a frontier ravaged and desolated before troops for its protection have been marched on authorised to march from their homes. In my teller to Lhe Secretary of War of the 7th of June acknowledging the receipt of his letters of the 25th of April and 4th of May. I conclude as follows: - ..Although I have upon the whole of this frontier about 1,600 regular troops, mostly Infantry, yet it will be recollected that this force has to guard an extant of 400 miles of frontier, unsupported by any other than very sparse settlement; and that the chivalry of Mexico may be expected soon to fly to the rescue of their President and reinstate his Red allies, and surprise them with a spirit of Revenge against their white neighbours recently screened from their barbarism. Under these impressions 1 have deemed il proper to request Governor Camon lo authorise the Brigade of Tennessee Volunteers, enrolled under his Proclamation of the 28th of April last, to calculate on the probability of another call lo this place, and that should 1 have occasion for Volunteers as I apprehaend I shall, those enrolled- shall have a preference lo all other." In answer Lo which I received on the First a letter from the Secretary of War dated the 11th of July (of which I annexed copy N 2) in which you will perceive no expresion disappro,·ing my purpose lo call for a Brigade of Tennessee Volunteers. The Secretary :forever expressly authorises me to call on the Executives of Missouri and Arkansas for one thousand men each. But this authority did not reach me until the 3rd of this month,
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