LETTER FROM THE SECRETARY OF WAR COMMUNICATING THE REPORT. 



War Department, 

 Washington, February 24, 1857. 



8iR : In compliance with the resolution of the 2d inst., I have the 

 lionor to transmit herewith the correspondence and reports of the 

 officers charged with the purchase and importation of the camel, and 

 its employment for purposes of transportation in the military service 

 of the United States, together with the information obtained from per- 

 sons who were considered the best authority as to the general charac- 

 teristics and habits of the animal. 



Under the appropriation of $30,000, made on the 3d of March, 1855, 

 seventy-five camels have been imported. The aid furnished by the 

 Secretary of the Navy in the use of a storeship returning from the 

 Mediterranean greatly reduced the cost of transportation, and enabled 

 the department to introduce a much greater number of camels than 

 was originally calculated, and has secured to the government the 

 means of making the experiment upon a scale which will sufficiently 

 demonstrate the adaptation of the animal to the climate and circum- 

 stances of our country and its value for military purposes. 



The limited trial which has been made has fully realized my 

 expectations, and has increased my confidence in the success of the 

 experiment. 



I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 



JEFF'N DAVIS, 



Secretary of War. 



Hon. James M. Mason, 



President pro tern. United States Senate. 



