[ 2 ] 65 
Department of War, 
August 14, 1825. 
Sir : Tliave received your lefter of the 28tli ultimo, with the arcom«> 
panying- eiiclosiiies, and have submitted them to the President, who 
directs me to acquaint you, that he approves of the measures \vhicli 
you have adopted. 
Although the command of Col, Leavenworth is small, yet, from his 
known courai^e and enteipiise, I feel i^reat confidence that his move- 
ment will be successful, and that the chastisement of the Ricaras will 
give peace and security to the frontier. Shouhl such be the fact, you 
wiil halt the detachment you have ordered from the 1st and 7th regi- 
ments of infantry at Bellefontaine, until further orders. Should, how- 
ever, the movement of Col. Leavenworth not be attended with the fa- 
vorable result expected, or should the Indians continue to exhibit an 
hostile disposition, you will exercise a sound discretion, in pushing 
forward the necessar-y for'ce to such points on the Missouri, as you 
may deem best cah ulated to maintain peace and to pr'otect our citizens. 
It is Hesirable that the disposable foi-ce of the army under your c om- 
mand only should be employed orr tiris service. In the event of a 
failure (if Col. Leavenv orth's mo\emert, you will add to the rein- 
forcement already ordered to Gen. Atkinson's command, such other 
troops under your orders as you may judge requisite. 
1 am, &c. 
J. C. CALHOUN. 
Gen. E. P. Gaiives, &c. 
Louisville^ Ken, 
Head-Quarters, Western Department, 
Louisville f Ky. August 16, 1823. 
Sir: I received not tfli last night the report of Col. Leavenworth, 
announcing his intention to visit the Ricaras Indians, dated the iStli 
.Tune, 1823. 
That repoi't which accompanies this* contains no material fact 
dilFer'ing from those transmitted by (general Clark, Major F'oster, 
and Major O'Fallon, referred to in my letter- of the 28th of last 
month, except that the force intended to be taken by the Colonel is 
something less than that i-eported to have accompanied him. 
He states that his party w ill be about 200 str-ong in rank and file— 
and he adds that, ** if necessar-y it is expected that we can raise a 
considerable auxiliary force amongst the Sioux." 
* Enclosed to the GenerM in Chiff, 
14 
