148 PURCHASE OF CAMELS FOR MILITARY PURPOSES. 



As to the apology, the presentation of six such animals as will he 

 worthy the acceptance of our government, will be sufficient amends. 



I would like him to name some definite time, that I may he ready 

 to sail at a moment's notice. 



Yours, very truly, 



DAVID D. PORTER, 

 Lieut. Commanding. 

 Edwin De Leon, Esq., 



Consul General. 



P. S. Allow me to remind you that " dromedaries," and not cam- 

 els of burden, are the animals we are desirous to obtain. 



D. D. P. 



San Antonio, Texas, June 19, 1856. 



Sir: I have the honor to report my arrival here yesterday with the 

 camels in my charge. I left Indianola sooner than I had anticipated 

 when I landed, as the animals appeared to be in good condition for 

 the journey, and as the rainy season was daily expected to commence, 

 which would have rendered the Hog Wallow prairie (forty miles of it) 

 impracticable for them for six weeks or two months. The air, water, 

 and grass, I thought, moreover, would be better in the interior than 

 so immediately upon the seaboard. 



Leaving Indianola, then, on the morning of the 4th of June, wifh 

 light loads, I camped at 5 p. m. at Chocolate Bayou, twelve miles. 

 The road was very bad, the camels frisky and unruly, and the pack 

 saddles and loads requiring adjustment, gave trouble by slipping. 



June 5. Left camp at 6f a. m. Road exceedingly rough and deep — 

 much worse than that of yesterday. Some of the weaker animals 

 showed signs of fatigue. Halted for two hours, from 12 m. to 2 p. ra. 

 Resumed the march, and arrived, at 5 p. m., at Alligator Pond, fifteen 

 miles. Determined to halt a few days at the first good grazing ground 

 I came to, and to relieve the weakest animals of their burdens. 



June 6. Left camp at 6 a. m. Went five miles, when we struck a 

 beautiful prairie, abounding in fine grass^ and with mottes of timber 

 for camps. Good water at hand. Camped, and turned the animals 

 loose to graze. 



June 7^ 8, 9, 10, 11, in camp. Animals luxuriating in grass and 

 improving in appearance. 



June 12. Left camp at 6^ a. m. Arrived at Victoria at 9| a. m. 

 Remained there three hours. Resumed march, and camped at 

 Wright's Water-Hole at 3 p. m., eleven miles. 



June 13. Left camp at 8| a. m.; marched nine miles and halted for 

 an hour and a half, then continued and camped at Pierpont's at 4 p.m., 

 seventeen and a half miles. 



June 14. Took the road at 5f a. m. ; camped at Salt Creek at 2 p. m., 

 twenty-one miles. 



June 15. Left Salt Creek 5| a. m.; camped at the Big Ecleto at 12^ 

 p. m., seventeen and a half miles. 



