PURCHASE OF CAMELS FOR MILITARY PURPOSES. 47 



putting tliem to service as soon after arrival in Texas as their recovery 

 from the effects of the sea voyage will allow. 



The animals are being embarked as fast as the weather will permit, 

 and in a few days I hope we shall sail for Texas, commencing the 

 first trial in our experiment. As far as the motion of the vessel is 

 concerned, I am at ease, as, from the experience we have already had 

 with them, I am satisfied that camels are more easily transported than 

 horses, mules, or oxen ; and, as I have every confidence in Lieutenant 

 Porter's arrangements for securing them in rough weather or in gales. 

 My apprehensions are of immediate injury to health, or of subsequent 

 detriment to the constitutions of the animals, which may interfere 

 with or affect the succeeding steps in the experiment, (acclimation and 

 breeding,) from the confinement of so many of them for so long a time 

 between decks. These injuries I trust may be avoided by close ob- 

 servation, by the police for them instituted by Lieutenant Porter, by 

 the veterinary skill of wagon-master Ray, and by the practical know- 

 ledge of the natives I take with me. I think I may say that every 

 precaution to insure the safe arrival of the animals in the United 

 States has been taken. 



When I left Washington, the surgeon general was engaged in pre- 

 jDaring for publication a work upon the climatology of the United 

 States, from the observations made by the officers of his corps at our 

 military posts. Will you have a copy of it sent to me at Indianola to 

 aid my selection of a place for acclimation and breeding, and for test- 

 ing the usefulness of the camel as a beast of burden and of despatch. 

 I shall be glad to receive also, at the same time, any suggestions, from 

 any source whatever, on this point, or on others that you may think 

 will tend to successful results. 



Lieutenant Porter has made the proposal to me, that he be permit- 

 ted to carry on to Washington, and exhibit to Congress, which will 

 then be in session, perhaps, one of the dromedaries. The effect of this 

 expedition will be, he thinks, to induce Congress to grant another ap- 

 propriation for the importation of camels. 



The only objection that occurs to me is, the additional risk to the 

 animal in its transportation from New York to Washington, and from 

 Washington back to me in Texas, and that this risk Avill necessarily 

 be incurred by one of the only two fine blooded animals that we have, 

 (the mare from Muscat, in all probability,) as, for the purpose pro- 

 posed, the finest animal should, of course, be selected. I submit the 

 matter to your decision, which I hope may meet me upon my arrival 

 at Indianola. In connexion with this suggestion, that you may have 

 a clear view of it in all its bearings, I will state that, of the tiuenty 

 thousand dollars turned over to me for the purchase of camels in May 

 last, about tiuelue thousand dollars will remain unexpended after pay- 

 ing for all the purchases^nd expenditures attending this our experi- 

 mental trip. 



In addition to the Arabs already in our service, I have engaged here 

 two Turks as camel conductors. They are well recommended, and 

 are represented as skilful in the management of camels and in making 

 and repairing the pack saddles and other apparatus used with them. 



Unless something at present unforeseen should occur to prevent our 



