436
AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION
not leave this- The receipts at this custom house are the only re- source for the payment of the troops in this department, the Gen 1 probably suspects that heretofore not one.half the legal duties hav~ gone to acct of Govt and seems determined that in future every dollar shall be secured his troops perform the duty of French Gem d'Arm.8 every point is guarded and the soldiers appear to be conv.erted into custom house officers- The Gen I dictates in all things he will kill the goose in search of the golden eggs ns this troublesome and hazardous trade is profitless paying the whole dutys and will be abandoned- . It is now said 1600 men are to be here shortly to be drilled I do not believe they will be marched to the frontier as the Gen' is con- vi.nced that the apprehensions of hostilitys by the US are without grounds and that the colonists are content to remain as they are He professes n disposition .to favor the colonists in everything, says he will make this part of the country flourish etc, but until more stability can be infused into their Govt this is impossible I think he has more apprehension of a Grito for Centralism in the South and a separation of those northern states which are federal, than of the US or Texas where in fact there is nothing to fear until outrage shall produce difficulty- I also suspect he counts upon much support from Texas in .such an event- I have abandoned the Navigation of this river, as I have no benefit from the past and no security for the future-and am preparing the steamboat for Sea I should· be off in a Week could I close my business but _I do not like to leave 6 or 8000 dollar$ behind me and shall continue two weeks to save what I can and leave the rest to an agent- My intention is to run first to the Brassos de dios where if the boat can be employed she shall remain, if not, when the season will permit I will take her to the Teche River- She is a boat of great speed and power carrys 100.000 lbs freight and according to Capt J Austins acct can run up to St philipe excepting in the lowest water- If she could get one full freight a Month at the present rate of costage she would do better than here-and the influx of population and goods should I think warrant the expectation of so much employment-- Col Bradburn has again joined the army under Gen 1 Teran and is now under orders for Galveston in one of two Govt Schrs expected from Tampico ostensibly to survey the coast of Texas- he is also I believe to act as commisary for supplying the troops with provisions from N orleans, He has recently returned from orleans where he was sent by the Gen 1 for the purpose as I have reason to believe of ascertain- ing the object of the US in establishing a port on the sabine and to coD:ect information as to the views of the Colonists- His report
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