SIR: Although the present state of things on the western side of the Mississippi does not threaten any immediate collision with our neighbors in that quarter and it is our wish they should remain undisturbed until an amicable adjustment may take place, yet as this does not depend on ourselves alone it has been thought prudent to be prepared to meet any movements which may occur. The law of a former session of Congress for keeping a body of 100,000 militia in readiness for service at a moment's warning is still in force, but by an act of the last session, a copy of which I now inclose, the Executive is authorized to accept the services of such volunteers as shall offer themselves on the conditions of the act, which may render a resort to the former act unnecessary. It is for the execution of this act that I am now to solicit your zealous endeavors. The persons who shall engage will not be called from their homes until some aggression, committed or intended, shall render it necessary. When called into action it will not be for a lounging but for an active and perhaps distant service. I know the effect of this consideration in kindling that ardor which prevails for this service, and I count on it for filling up the numbers requisite without delay. To yourself I am sure it must be as desirable as it is to me to transfer this service from the great mass of our militia to that portion of them to whose habits and enterprise active and distant service is most congenial. In using, therefore, your best exertions toward accomplishing the object of this act you will render to your constituents as well as to the nation a most acceptable service. With respect to the organizing and officering those who shall be engaged within your State the act itself will be your guide, and as it is desirable that we should be kept informed of the progress in this business I must pray you to report the same from time to time to the Secretary of War, who will correspond with you on all the details arising out of it. I salute you with great consideration and respect. TH: JEFFERSON. [From American State Papers, Finance, Vol. II, p. 449.] _James Madison, President of the United States of America, to Albert Gallatin, Secretary of the Treasury_: By virtue of the act entitled "An act authorizing a loan of money for a sum not exceeding the amount of the principal of the public debt reimbursable during the year 1810," passed on the 1st day of May, 1810, I do hereby authorize and empower you, by yourself or any other person or persons, to borrow on behalf of the United States, of the Bank of the United States, any sum not exceeding in the whole $3,750,000, and to make or cause to be made for that purpose such contract as shall be necessary and for the interest of the said States, pursuant to the act aforesaid; and for so doing this shall be your warrant. Given under my hand, at Washington, this 28th day of May, A.D. 1810. JAMES MADISON.