In obedience to this order, I have availed myself of the very first steamboat conveyance that offered, after the receipt of the order, to proceed to Baton Rouge, to enable me to ascertain to what extent the arsenal there will furnish ordnance and ord-nance stores for the prompt and efficient discharge of the duties assigned to me; du ties. which derive great importance from the recent accounts of the sanguinary manner in which the Mexican forces seem disposed to carry on the war against our Texian- (sec the accompanying newspaper.) Upon this point I take leave to suggest whether it may or may not become necessary, in our own defence, to speak to· the contending bclligerants in a language not to be misunderstood-a language requiring force and military supplies that shall be sufficient, if necessary, for the protection of our frontier, to check the savage operations of each of the contending parties who may forget to respect the laws of war and our neutral rights, until Mexico and the United States shall, by an adjustment of existing difficulties, put an end to scenes of barbarism which cannot but endanger the peace and other vital interests of all the parties concerned-scenes of barbarism disgraceful to all who enact or tolerate them. Should I find any disposition on the part of the Mexicans or their red allies to menace our frontier, I cannot but deem it to be my duty not only to hold the troops of my command in readiness for action in defence of our slender .frontier, but to anticipate their lawless movements, by crossing our supposed or imaginary national boundary, and meeting the savage marauders wherever to be found in their approach towards our frontier. Should I err in this view of the subject, in which, however, I am convinced the laws of war and of nations will bear me out, I shall be gratified to receive the views of the President, to which I shall scrupulously adhere. But if it be otherwise, if my own views are approved, I shall, in that event, have occasion for some mounted volunteers, with other forces, sufficient to make my numerical strength equal to the estimated strength of the contending parties, which is now estimated at eight thousand to twelve thousand men (8,000 to 12,000 men.) With a view to this possible contingency, I have already desired the fine legionary brigade commanded by General Planche, of the city of New Orleans, to calculate on the possibility of my having occasion to invite the legion to join me. To this suggestion the officers of the
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