PURCHASE OF CAMELS FOR MILITARY PURPOSES. 151 



fee successfully conducted, the animals, I think, should have a per- 

 manent home, where breeding can be carefully attended to, and to 

 which use should be subordinate, their labor being applied to the 

 necessary wants of the post or farm, and not extended to any great 

 degree beyond it. In this way, and with the addition of more breeding 

 cows, the climate proving favorable, I have little doubt but that in 

 ten years the race can be well spread through Texas, whence it can 

 be carried to any part of the continent. 



As far as general use in the military service is concerned, the 

 services of the few imported would, in our very widely spread opera- 

 tions, be inappreciable, and it seems to me better to sacrifice any such 

 small immediate advantage to the prospective benefit to be derived 

 from the successful introduction and general diffusion of the animal 

 among us. 



Land can readily be hired for a term of years, and a breeding farm 

 established ; or a ranch, with the necessary buildings, put up in a 

 cheap manner, according to a given plan, can be rented by the month. 



Requesting full information as to your views to guide me in my 

 course, and at as early a day as your convenience will permit, 



I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 



HENRY C. WAYNE, 



Blajor United States Army. 



Hon. Jefferson Davis, 



Secretary of War, Washington. 



War Department, 

 Washington, July 5, 1856. 

 Sir : I have received your letter of the 19th ultimo, announcing 

 your arrival with the camels, in good order, at San Antonio, and 

 your intention to remain there some time in camp. 



It appears to me that, after so long a sea voyage, the animals should 

 be allowed a considerable time to recruit before being put to work. 

 Horses, under the same circumstances, would require many months 

 to regain their full efficiency, and animals of a larger size would re- 

 quire a still longer period of rest. 



Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 



JEFF'N DAVIS, 



Secretary of War. 

 Major H. C. Wayne, 



United States Army, San Antonio, Texas. 



Quartermaster General's Office, 



Washington City, July 14, 1856. 

 Sir : The Secretary of War has referred to this office your letter of 

 the 28th ultimo, with an endorsement, of which the following is a 

 copy: 



