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your company for twelve months longer &c. I infer from the fact that the order to Coln. Hays was addressed to him at this place and from the tenor of the communication which I last night received from the Secy of War that they have forgotten in Washington City that Coln. Hays has heretofore been ordered to report to Genl. Taylor for duty and as Genl. Taylor may not have been apprised of this last order I have thought it best to send him a copy of it together with a. copy of the Communication which I recvd. on the same subjct for liis infor- mation. I have also written to Coln. Bell who is now at San Antonio authorizing him, if he thinks proper to do so, to join Coln. Hays at the Mouth of the Rio Grande with the two companies of his regiment which are now on our frontier as I have now the authority of the Presi- dent to raise other companies for the protection of the frontier of Texas if I regard it as necessary I have received no reply to the re- quest which I made of the Prei::ident at your suggestion for three com- panies to protect the Rio Grande Country-indeed sufficient time has not elapsed since I wrote for an answer to reach me - The communi- cations from Washington City before refered to are dated 16th. c,f July. The authority which I send you to re-enroll your company is based upon the communication recvd. by the last mail requesting me to cause Coln. Hays to move on to Vera Cruz &c Should you determine to quit the service this fall I presume Mr Bee would like to enroll and command the company which you are authorized to raise or enroll for the protection of the Country about Lara.do. Dr Veatch has asked authority to raise a company and report the same to Genl Taylor for service which he thinks Genl. Tavlor will receive and I have authorized him to do so provided Genl. Taylor wishes him to cto it. I Ehall keep about six or seven companies on our frontier which will authorize the election of a Lt. Coln. to command them and I would be glad to have you in that command but inasmuch as that officer if not appointed by the President must be appointed in conformity with the laws of ihe State of Texas he can only be appointed by the election of the men. If our last Legislature had passed no law on this subject I would not hesitate to appoint but as it is it would perhaps be improper to do so- the law providing a different mode. I am satisfied that you could be elected and I would be more anxious to have our frontier companies commanded by a Lt. Coln. if I knew that you would be that officer. I shall leave early in Septr for San Augustine and return to this place in November· I shall write you again before I leave on this subject. I remain with high regard and esteem your obt Sevt J Pinckney Henderson
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