A. Cady to John Whiteaker, April 16, 1862

His Excellency JOHN WHITEAKER, . rovernor of the State of Oregon:

SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt this day of Your Excellency’s letter of the 29th ultimo, relative to the necessity of protection against Indian hostilities to the settlers in and near the eastern and northeastern frontier of Oregon, and inquiring as to the steps designed to be taken by the U. S. military authorities in reference thereto, Of the means now under my control, it will not probably be expedient to make any change in their present disposition, but I am happy to be able to inform Your Excellency that I am advised by the commanding general of the department, under date of 27th ultimo, that the cavalry force under Colonel Cornelius has been ordered by him to be collected “together in the Willamette Valley with a view of moving into the Walla Walla country, and thence to the mining districts, and, as the season advances, to throw forward troops to Fort Hall to meet the emigrants.” I have recently apprised the commanding general of the proposed settlement by citizens of Oregon in the valley of Powder River, and I can have no doubt that the necessary steps will be taken by him for the protection of that and such other settlements as may be attempted within the frontier limits of Oregon. It is also within my power to inform Your Excellency that the military force in this district will, within a few weeks, be increased by the addition of from four to Six companies of infantry under the command of Colonel Steinberger.

In the hope that what I have above stated may tend to allay the anxiety expressed,

I have the honor to be, Your Excellency's obedient