James Buchanan to John W. Garrett, October 17, 1859 – 1:30 p.m.

Washington, Oct. 17th, 1859 — 1.30 P. M.

John W. Garrett, Pres't:

Your dispatch has been received, and it shall be promptly attended to. Orders have already been issued for three companies of artillery from Old Point Comfort, and I have already accepted the service of Capt. Ritchie's company at Frederick. You will soon hear again further from the Secretary of War, or myself.

JAS BUCHANAN.

SOURCE: B. H. Richardson, Annapolis, Maryland, Publisher, Correspondence Relating to the Insurrection at Harper's Ferry, 17th October, 1859, p. 10