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ten days since, during my absence to Head Quarters; I returned yes- terday, and now hasten to answer your· letters. With regard to the reenlistment of my command I shall either give it my personal attention or intrust to some one who will efficiently carry out the object. , The suggestion you kindly made of placing the frontier companies under my command would meet my views, if it could be carried into effect. That a force of some strength will be required on our western border is every day more powerfully impressed upon my mind. The growing discontent of the population; the im- punity with which robberies and other acts of hoi,tility have latterly been committed, together with the great weakning of the forces in Eastern Mexico, and the contemplated departure of Genl. Taylor for the United States, all render it strongly probable that the first rumor of any misfortune to our arms will be the signal for a general rising. The force which would be placed under my command by the place you suggest would probably enable me to crush or suppress any hostile organization in the bud, which if suffered to mature might give us infinite trouble. As my appointment would have to depend upon an election- this object would be the more readily attained by appointing such gentlemen to raise the companies as would act in concert with me in this matter. For two of the Captains I would suggest the appoint- ment of Lieutenants Veatch and Bee of my command. Independant of the above object, the appointment of these men would be beneficial in other respects- to me from my personal acquaintance with them and to the service from their knowledge of the country & mexican popu- lation in this quarter, as well as from the known qualifications & irre- proachable characters. . This letter will be handed vou bv Lieutant Veatch himself who will confer with you upon the ~ubject matter of it, & can more fully explain the mecessity of a prompt & energetic organization for the pro- tection of the frontier Should the command of the companies designed to be raised by your Excellency for this purpose devolve upon me I can only assure you that no efforts on my part shall be wanting to carry out the objects desired and give satisfaction to the Country. The three Gentlemen aUready named will co-operate in harmony with me to these ends. Your friend and Servt. No. 2347 1847 Sept. 9, [M. R. LAMAR] LAREDO, [TEXAS] TO [G. T.] WOOD, [AUSTIN? TEXAS] 0 J Laredo 9th. Sept. 1847 Genl. Wood Dear Sir, I have just returned from Head Quarters - Genl. Tavler [sic] I think will shortly leave for the United States, leaving behind him a force not exceeding 4 or 5000 men, scattered at various
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