PURCHASE OF CAMELS FOR MILITARY PURPOSES. 27 



dollars for the best females, and from seventy-five to one hundred dol- 

 lars for the best males. On this head, however, as well as on others 

 connected with our expedition, he has engaged to give us more precise 

 information in answer to the circular sent to him by Lieutenant Porter 

 and myself, a copy of which is herewith enclosed. This circular we 

 have addressed to other gentlemen established in the east, and we 

 hope to obtain by it reliable and accurate information to guide us in 

 the discharge of our duty. The replies to it shall be forwarded to you. 



At Salonica we found no camels nor dromedaries, the caravans 

 usually visiting it having been diverted to army transportation by the 

 demands of the war. There being no American resident at Salonica, 

 Lieutenant Porter and myself called upon the English consul, Mr. 

 Charles Blunt, who received us very politely, and to whom we are 

 indebted for attentions official and personal. 



The three camels taken on board at Tunis on the 9th of August are 

 in good condition, and apparently have not suffered in health from 

 their confinement nor from the pitching and tossing of the vessel in 

 the gales we have gone through. One of them was taken on board 

 much cut (by the moors) and subsequently was attacked by the itch, 

 a disease to which this animal is said to be particularly liable. Both 

 wounds and itch have been cured by the remedies applied in such cases 

 to horses and cows, and he is now in better condition than when re- 

 ceived. They consume each from eight to twelve pounds of hay and 

 six quarts of oats per day, and drink once in three days, absorbing at 

 the draught, on an average, (for sometimes they will not drink at all, 

 and at others they drink excessively,) from two and a half to three 

 buckets of water. The camel is undoubtedly a hardy animal, and the 

 diseases it is afflicted with, especially the itch, are most frequently 

 produced, I should say, by hard treatment, and by the filthy state of 

 its skin, no care, by currying, brushing, or other cleaning, being 

 taken of its hide. Patient and humble in its character, it meets with 

 the neglect and oppression usually visited upon meekness. 



Two of the hands of the vessel have been employed, at a small ad- 

 ditional compensation, in taking care of the three we have, and the 

 result of their attendance satisfies me that Americans will be able to 

 manage camels not only as well, but better than Arabs, as they will 

 do it with more humanity and with far greater intelligence. In con- 

 clusion, I will add that observation, so far, of the animal, of the coun- 

 try, and of the climate, confirms my opinion of tbe advantages to be 

 derived from its introduction into the United (States, and of the feasi- 

 bility of acclimating and domesticating it there, and that the only dif- 

 ficulty in the experiment is that of transportation across the sea. 



Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 



HENRY C. WAYNE, 



Major United States Army. 



Hon. Jefferson Davis, 



Secretary of War, Washington city. 



