---+--------+
YFort Gibson Y 1,500Y
+-----------------------------------------+--------+
YFort Towson Y 800Y
+-----------------------------------------+--------+
YThe eight posts of refuge proposed Y 800Y
+-----------------------------------------+--------+
YThe protection of the four depots Y 200Y
+-----------------------------------------+--------+
YJefferson barracks, as a corps of reserveY 1,500Y
+-----------------------------------------+--------+
YTotal Y 7,000Y
+=========================================+========+

To which must be added, for the garrisons of the five Lakes forts, 1,500
at least, making the force necessary for the protection of the
boundaries, to amount to 8,500 men. Colonel Gratiot, in his report,
computes the force necessary at 12,910 men.

The letter of Mr Poinsett to Congress will throw much light upon this
subject, and I shall therefore insert it.

"Department of War,

"December 30, 1837.

"Sir:--In answer to the resolution of the House of Representatives, in
relation to the protection of the western frontiers of the United
States, I have the honour to transmit the accompanying reports of the
chief engineer and the acting quarter-master general, together with a
report of the commissioner of Indian affairs. That expected from
General Gaines will be sent as soon as it is received.

"In presenting these documents, which are ably drawn up, and contain
full and satisfactory information on all the topics embraced by the
resolution, I might have considered my duty fully discharged, had not
other plans been previously recommended, which I regard as entirely
inefficient, but which have received, in some measure, the sanction of
Congress. A survey has been directed to determine the line of a road,
which, it is contemplated, shall extend from some point of the Upper
Mississippi to Red River, passing west of Missouri and Arkansas; and it
is proposed to place a cordon of temporary posts of ordinary
construction along it, as a sufficient measure for the defence of that
part of the country. In pursuance of the orders of Congress, officers
have been appointed to perform that duty, and, upon their report being
received, measures will be taken to carry into effect the intentions of
Congress, unless, upon a deliberate review of the whole matter, some
more eligible plan of def