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have the honor to be Sir your obedent servant.


L. THOMAS. Assist. Adj Gen.


Commanding lst dept. Fort Jessup, La.
Icosr,pErTnL1 ApJurANr GgSERALs OFricE,


Washington, Sept. "a, lsA4


sm-The general in'chief has received Instruction.
through the Department OF State from the Executive
hold the troops within your department at Forts Tow
and Washita, ready to march in case Of arequis
ton being made by the United States charge dsnares re-
siding near the government Of Texas such point with
in our limits those of Texas as the charge msy de-
sgnate in order any hostile incuIson on the
part of the border Indians as required by tho provisions
You viii please take such preliminary may
be desmed put those troops in march ior the
above purpose at short notice.


1t any requisition that may be made
upon Forts Towson and washita will leave at least one
company at each of those posts to guard the same


Should the apprehended hostilities with the Indians
luded to- break out. officer OF rank viii be sent TO
the United States forces placed in the field and
who will receive hence further instructions for his
government


have the honor to be, sir. your obedient servant


L. THOMAS, Assist Adjt. Gen.


Commanding ID dept, Fort smith, Arkansas.


[Copy ofa despatch from Mr.. Calhoun to Mr. Howard.
referred in his letter to Mr. Doneson Of the nth Of
September, ls44]


Washington, September 10, 1884:


Sin Your despatch (No. ~ transmitted through Gen.
the Secretary o State othe republic Of Texas. been
laid before the President who has given 10 il that debe



He approves Of the construction which placed on
the letter of Mr. Nelson acting Secretary Of State ad in
relation to the to which the Texan secretary
OF State refers in his letter. to which yours is reply
But e nsructs you to the government OF Texas
that he feels the full force the obligation OF this
ment to protect Texas pending the question Of snnsxa
ton, against the attacks which Mexico may make on her
consequence Of her acceptance Of the proposition OF
this government to open negotiations on the subject OF
ates TO the Executive depart tmen he sprepared to use
all its powers for that purpose But the government OF
Texas Is fully aware they are cirrumscribed by tno
constitution within narrow limits which Il would not bs
possible the President transcend. ALI that he cen
do is 10 make suitable representations to the Mexieen
government against the renewal OF the pending the
the question OF annexation and the savage manner IN
priate protests and indie OF the feelings with which
he regards both and TO recommend Congress 10 adopt
measures to rePe amy attack which may Dc made .onv
Of which enclosd has been addressed TO- our minister
in Mexico and forwarded TO him BY special Messenger.
resting her hostile ements You will give copy Of
to the Texan government and you will assure tnst
when Congress meets tho President will recommend the
adoption o measures protect Texas eecually against
the attacks OF Mexico pending the question Of
He hopes that these measures Will prove satisfactory 10
government OF Texas and that serious invasion
will be attempted at least before the meeting OF Con-
grsss. ~
which you may show TO President Houston and the Secrs
tary of State II i'll doubtles be satisfactory them
learn that France is not disposed in any event. to take
hostile attitude in reference to annexation despatch,
of quen the which the enclosed
answer, gives conversation between Mr. Guizot and
minister equally satisfactory as that with the king


He stated in reply question the part Of mini
that France had agreed unite with Eng in
a protest against annexation.


am happy add conclusion that the indications Of
public sentiment highly favorable to the Of
nexation, and that may look forward with much
confidence the consummaon Of great at
no distsn period am, sir, respectfully yonr obedent
| servant, J. c. CALHOUN.
TO Tllghman A. Howard &C, &c. sc.


Mn. CALHOUN TO Mn. KISc.


DEPARTMENT STATE,
Washington August II, 1874.
SIRI have laid your despatch No l. before the Presi
dent. who nstrucs me to make known TO you thst he
has read with much pleasure. especially the portion
VIII ch relates your cordial reception by King and
his ofiriendy feelings towards the United
States The President in particular highly appreciates
the declaration Of the King that in event would any
steps be taken by his the shtsst degree
hoste which would give to the United States just
fact that previous information was cucuaes TO make
the impression that the government OF France was pre-


~ o
government TO withdraw the proposition to annex on
her independence ne ia happy to infer from your des
patch that the information, far relates France.
s in al! probability. without foundation You did not
go further than you ought in assuring the King that
the object Of annexation would be pursued with
ba'ed vigor. and in giving opinion that decided
majority oithc American people were in its favor, and
THAI II would ceiteinly be annexed at distant day.
feel confident that your anticipation will be fully
alizci at no distant period Every day will tend to weaken
that combination oil political causes which led to the op
position OF the measure and TO strengthen the conviction
bot oihy eAPeu'Ht uut Just anu H'Sessafy.


You right in making the distinction between the
interest Of France and England in reference to Texas
rather would say, the apparent interests Of the two
countries France cannot possibly have any other than
commercial interest in desiring her preserve her
separate independence; while 1t is certain England looks
beyond, 10 political interests to which she apparently
attaches much Importance But in our opinion. the In
terest Of both against the is more apparent
than real and that neither Fronce England, nsr
Mexico herself has eny in opposition to It, when
the subject is isirly viewed and considered in its
whole exl ent and in all its bearings Thus viewed and
considered. and that the extension OF
commerce. and security, objects OF primary policy
that the policy on the part Of those power. which would
ocquese in measure strongly desired by both the
United States and Texas for their mutual welfare and
safety the annexation Of the latter TO the former would
be far more prcmovc Of these great objects than that
which would attempt to resist 1t.


II is impossible look at the map Of the United
States and Texas and note the long, artificial and in
convenient line which divides them, and then to take
and growth OF the former and the from which
the latter must derive its inhabitants, institutions and
laws, without coming 10 the conclusion that II a their
destiny be united and course, that annexation s
merely question Of time mode Thus regarded the
question TO be decided would seem to be, whether Il
would not be better permit 10 he done with the
mutual Of both peres, and the acquiescence OF
these powers then 10 attempt resist and defeat it. II
tho he adopted the certain fruits would be
the Of peace grent extension o by
tho rapid settlement and improvement OF Texas ond in
creased security, especially Mexico The last,
ference to McKee, may be doubted; but hold il not less
clear than the other two.


would be grca, mistake suppose tha, this govern
ment any hostie teeilng towards MeNco
position 10 oggrandzc ts at her expense The fact is
the very reverse.


II wishes her WELL and desires 10 her settled down
in peace and securty and prepared in the event Of the
xaon Of Texas not ioroed into conflict with her,
TO propose to settle with her the question Of boundary,
and all others out Of the annexation on the most
liberal terms Nature herself has clearly marked tho
boundary between her end Texas by natural limits TOO
strong be mistaken There few countries whose
limits are distinctly marked and 1t would be our de-
sire IL Texas should b. united us to them firmly
10 the certain means OF ests blshing per-
E.s.o ha h-
eninr and cementng their friendship. Such would be
the certain consequence OF permitting the annexation 10
take ploce now, with the acquisscenc OF Mexco but
verv different would be the ii should be attempted
70 resist and defeat IL, whether the attempt shoud bo
essful Tor present net. Any attempt Of the
Kind would improbsbly, lead to conflict between US
i q