102 PURCHASE OF CAMELS FOR MILITARY PURPOSES. 



fine animal for his personal use, and will part with it when tempted 

 by a large offer ; but it is in the desert only that they are in common 

 use by all classes. In Upper Egypt and Arabia, also to a great ex- 

 tent in Mesopotamia, the dromedary is almost the only riding animal 

 in use. Every man has one or more. The Sheiks and wealthy men 

 always have a number, and keep them for sale as well as for use. 

 The same remarks apply to burden camels. Frequently the finest 

 animals that come down to the seacoast with produce, belong to 

 proprietors residing in Koniah, Caisarieh, Erzeroom, and other con- 

 siderable inland towns, and they cannot be purchased at all with- 

 out going or sending to the places where their owners reside. 

 I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 



a. H. HEAP. 

 Major Henry C. Wayne, 



United States Army. 



[Telegraph.] 



War Department, May 2, 1856. 



Inform Major Wayne, at Indianola, by first opportunity, that 

 Lieutenant Porter, with storeship Supply, will make another trip 

 for camels. 



JEFF'N DAVIS. 



Col. D. D. TOMPKINSJ 



U. S. Quartermaster, Neio Orleans. 



Indianola, Texas, May 21, 1856. 



Sir : On the 9th instant, while on board of the United States store- 

 ship " Supply," in the Southwest Pass, I received from Colonel Tomp- 

 kins a copy of your telegrapic despatch of the 2d instant, informing 

 me "that Lieutenant Porter, with the storeship 'Supply,' will make 

 another trip for camels," and immediately communicated the informa- 

 tion to Lieutenant Porter. 



Permit me to suggest that all the animals brought over by this 

 second trip, whether burden camels or dromedaries, be breeding cows, 

 as we already have males enough for over three hundred females, 

 according to the proportions established, and I have no doubt cor- 

 rectly, throughout the east. If burden camels are sought, it will be 

 a saving, both of time and of money, to send the vessel for them direct 

 to Smyrna ; to return with them as soon as embarked to the United 

 States. Thirty-five cows, at an average of $80 each, will require 

 $2,800. Time to go out from New York, one month and a half; stay 

 at Smyrna, one month ; time to return to Southwest Pass, three 

 months ; total time required, five and a half months. If dromedaries 

 are to be procured, from three to four months more will be necessary. 



