John R. Baylor to Samuel Boyer Davis, November 2, 1861

Doña Ana, Ariz., November 2, 1861.

. BIR: I beg to call your attention to some matter of information that may be of service to the Government at this time. California is on the eve of a revolution. There are many Southern men there who would cheerfully join us if they could get to us, and they could come well armed and mounted. I would ask permission to get all such men as choose to join us, and would further ask that some arrangement for the

» purchase of horses in California be made. I could now buy the best of

horses there for less than $50 per head, and there are many Southern men who would sell them for Confederate bonds. Another thing I take the liberty of suggesting is, that a force be placed in Western Arizona, to watch the landing of United States troops at Guaymas, that they may not pass through Sonora to invade us. A party of Californians have just arrived, and report that there are no troops on the road at this time, but that the United States Government was trying to raise them for the purpose of invasion, and I am reliably informed that the Government of Mexico has sent orders to the governor of Sonora to allow the passage of United States troops through that State, and agents arein Sonora buying eorn and supplies for the United States troops. I have thought proper to furnish you with this information and leave you to act upon it.

Respectfully,