EXECUTIVE MANSION, _March 18, 1882_.
_To the House of Representatives_:
In response to the resolution of the House of Representatives adopted
March 16, 1882, in which the President is requested, if not incompatible
with the public interests, to furnish to the House all the facts before
him at the time he authorized the sending or employment of troops or
military forces of the United States in the State of Nebraska during the
present month, together with his reasons therefor, I have the honor to
state that the employment of military forces of the United States as
to which it is understood that information is desired by the House
of Representatives was authorized on the 10th instant, and that
all the facts before me at that time are set forth in telegraphic
communications, dated the 9th and 10th instant, from the governor of the
State of Nebraska and Brigadier-General Crook, commanding the Department
of the Platte, of which copies are herewith submitted.
For the further information of the House of Representatives,
I transmit copies of telegraphic correspondence had on the 9th,
10th, and 11th instant between the Secretary of War and the governor
of Nebraska and the Secretary of War and the Lieutenant-General of
the Army, of which the instructions issued by my direction for the
employment of the military forces upon the application of the governor
of Nebraska are a part.
From these papers it will be seen that the authority to employ troops
was given upon the application of the governor of Nebraska in order to
protect the State against domestic violence. The instructions were given
in compliance with the requirements of that part of section 4 of Article
IV of the Constitution which provides that the United States shall,
on application of the legislature, or of the executive (when the
legislature can not be convened), protect each of the States against
domestic violence.