323
THE AUSTIN PAPERS
Santa Anna, the disposition to aid our cause which has been so ardently evinced by the citizens of New Orleans will speedily be changed to an ex- treme disapprobation. Large quantities of provisions and other supplies are shipping from this place by the house of M. de Lizardi & Co agents of Santa Anna to Matamoros in American vessels- were our little squadron con- fined strictly to public service between Matamoros and Matagorda they could not only protect our own commerce but effectually prevent the trans- mission of troops and provisions by sea to the seat of war or other parts of the coast. Capturing American vessels would no doubt produce great dis- satisfaction but taking out of them provisions and munitions destined to the enemy and for the enemy's use and paying the freight would I think be justified by the necessity of the case and not be censured by any reasonable man. You will pardon me for troubling you so long with so long a com• munication, I am impelled to it by the conviction that it is the duty of every citizen to do spontaneously whatever he may believe to be serviceable in any degree to the community of which he is a member. March 31st 1836 • HENRY AUSTIN
A· J. YATES TO AUSTIN ET AL.
(Letter F.) Washington City April 1st 1836. MESSRS. S F AUSTIN B T. ARCHER AND W. H. WHARTON Commissioners of Texas. GENTLEl\'IAN In compliance with your two several letters of Instruction to_me dated at New Orleans January 21st and 22d ulto. I proceeded to New York, and re- port the following as the result of my oper.ations. • I found in the City of New York a Steam Boat called the Sandusky which had been fitted for sea, and was for sale at 820,000. I employed a person to take her out in the Bay that I might have an opportunity of fair exami- nation of her engine etc, and on tri~l discovered serious and insurmountable objections to her engine, which was double geared, and not calculated to work with safety in rough weather at sea. I then inquired for others, ·and found the Steam Boat "Frank," about one year old of 170 Tons, draws 4½ feet water, price 825,000, and will require im expenditure of about 83,000. to prepare her for sea service. Her boiler is old, she has but little furni- ture, and would not bear more than one nine pounder on her deck. I found the "American Eagle," about the same size, a little deeper hold, with a new engine, two years old, li~tle furniture, a fast boat, rather stronger than the "Frank," but would not bear a heavier armament, price S30,000 will require about $2,500. to put in order for sea service. I also found the Steam Boat "Constellation" for sale and can be purchased for Sl4,000. she is much
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