100 PURCHASE OF CAMELS FOR MILITARY PURPOSES. 



Indianola, Texas, May 17, 1856. 



My Dear Sir: Enclosed is a letter to me from Mr. G. H. Heap, who 

 accompanied us on our recent expedition for camels, on the purchase 

 of dromedaries and burden camels, and their exportation through 

 Syria. It has been prepared from information gathered by Mr. Heap 

 during our journeys, and is well worth attentive consideration, should 

 an extensive importation of the animals be contemplated. 



It meets with my approval, with the exception of exporting drome- 

 daries through Scanderoon (Alexandretta) in the north of Syria^ instead 

 of through Beirout, a nearer and as good a port. By going to the lat- 

 ter place, much land travelling and time would be saved. Neither, 

 however, are good winter ports. Scanderoon would answer as a ship- 

 ping port for animals purchased in Mesopotamia, but for purchases 

 made in any part of Asia Minor, I should unhesitatingly recommend 

 shipment through Smyrna, as more direct, cheapei', and offering greater 

 facilities for embarking and fitting out the vessel or the animals, 

 besides saving distance, risk and time on the voyage out and in. 



In forwarding Mr. Heap's letter, it gives me great pleasure to re- 

 commend him as a suitable agent should a civilian be employed. His 

 knowledge of the east, its customs and languages, and the information 

 and experience of Asia Minor and Egypt, and of the pur]30ses of our 

 government, acquired by him during our recent expedition, peculiarly 

 fit him for the duty. 



The camels, so far, have done well, seem to enjoy good health, and 

 to be rapidly recovering from the effects of their sea trip. The males 

 are rather fierce and troublesome, but as soon as I can get their packs 

 fitted to them, sometime next week, perhaps, I shall see what effect a 

 little gentle work between this and the Powder Horn will have upon 

 their tempers. 



Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 



HENRY C. WAYNE, 



3Iajor United States Army. 



Hon. Jefferson Davis, 



Secretary of War, Washington City, D. C. 



United States Ship Supply, 



At Sea, April 25, 1856. 



Sir : The agent appointed to purchase dromedaries and camels 

 should leave the United States the first of September, so as to be in 

 Cairo about the beginning of October. He will start up the Nile as 

 soon as possible, and go by boat as far as Assouan on tl^e left bank 

 from the mouth, situated just below the first cataract, stopping at 

 Minich, Syoot, Gergeh, Esneh, and Edfou, all on the right bank 

 going up, where markets are held and dromedaries brought for sale 

 from Bosuou, Kordofan, and Darfoor. Syooi and Esneh are the two 

 principal markets, for countries in the interior, west of the Nile. 



