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PAPERS OF J'IIIRABEAU BuoNAPARTE LA1.IAR - In speaking of disguised Mexicans I would by no means omit to mention that there are strong reasons to believe they have the cooper- ation of disguised Americans. - Of the latter I am glad to believe there are but few. Your Dept had reasons to anticipate, from the ratio[ns sent?] to me of the 30th of August, 25th Sept, and 10th of [Oct. that ?J by this time the western frontier would have been re- lieve[d of any danger ?] from attack from any Enemy, but the appre- hension of [ ] This calculation was based, and very justly-- Bnncroft Lib upon the alacrity and zeal, which have uniformly chara'cterized the citizens of the west whenever danger has threatened them.-The Govmts,, had a right to make a requisition on them for a Patriotic service, particularly when a portion of the Citizens were darner[ing] for the privilege of taking up Arms for the defence [of the] frontier. The mildest and most acceptable means as [it was ?] believed were employed.- It was the best and promptest [actio ?]n which could be made, and with the exception of [some Ema]ll conflict of opinion about the Policy of the trade [ ]ns employed to raise a com- petent force has received the [certi]fied approbation of the Western Citizens.-The lack f ] and sufficient response to the Orders from your Dept, r will iln a great measure be found in the fact that many [of t]he Citizens have .:o long borne the brunt of frontier troubles that they are truly War worn, and in means worn out.- The west has constituted a chain of sentinels to the Republic until the re- lief-hour has arriYed.- The assistance to this frontier however re- cently called for, [and under the circumstances it was the only kind of aid that could be demanded or expected) was promptly offered. In executing the Orders from your Dept I have passed through all of the western counties and have used my unremitted efforts to ex- plain the nature of the service asked for, and the facilities which the Govmt,, would extend to those [who w]ould embody themselves for the relief and protection [of the] western frontier- That the facili• ties to them would [be s]upplies of beef, sugar, and coffee-and am- unition [abs]olutely needed would be furnished- that the object was to throw in advance of the settlements one hundred or one hundred and fifty men who by activity and judicious movements would con- stitute a cordon before the citizens and in all probability be able to visit&a just retaliation upon the principal Marauders- that this serv· ice was required for three months, and in the mean time it would be reccommen [ded] and was confidently anticipated that Congress wou[ld ] devise some Plan for a lasting protection.- With This explanation and much additional I have not be[en enab]led to assemble a sufficient force to carry out the en[terprize ?] embraced in your instructions.- But I have bee[n enable]d to organize an efficient Corps of Spies, which I have [ ] no advance of the extreme Western settlements.- [ ] and prudence they will be valuable in the confiden[ce which] they will give and should an enemy appear in the Act[ive] service which they may render.- 'l'he Organization which I have given them has been predicated upon the supposition that Permanent protection will be afforded to the West.- It is for three months unless sooner discharged. I have placed a tried soldier at their head with plans and rigid Instructions.- They will do the service of Minute Men and should receive pay as such. I
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