324
THE AUSTIN PAPERS
larger than either of the others, has large and powerful engine, and a great deal of furniture, Her boilers were new last July, and good judges tell me that her engine alone is worth more than the price of the boat. The hulk is 11 years old, but the builder tells me she was built of live oak and cedar at his yard in 1825, and he believes the timber to be sound. She draws 51,/2 feet of water, and it would require $10,000 or $12,000 to put her in good order for sea service. In gelting advice on the subject from persons who are fully competent, I have been advised lo purchase her, take out the furni- ture and engine, and sell the old hulk, which would probably bring $2,000, and build a new hulk expressly for sea navigation, and the purposes desired, and she can then carry 5 eighteen pounders if necessary, It will take about 6 weeks to repair her, using the old hulk, and to build a new one would cost 818,000 or $20,000, giving a large and complete Steam Ship for 35,000, at the utmost, capable of carrying 600 passengers, if necessary. And this can be completed in 60 days. The ship builders in New York have had much trouble with their workmen recently and il would be heller therefore to build, or repair at Salem in Conn. or some Eastern port. I would be happy to receive the inslruction of the Commissioners in relation to the course I am to pursue,and give me some discretionary powers on the subject- I have employed an experienced Captain to aid me in my examinations, and he has prepared a model for a new hulk, which can be used if lhought proper to build. The Brig "Chanticleer" is a very superior coppered and copper fastened vessel, for sale in the City of New York, built for the African Slave trade, pierced for 14 guns, and can be got ready in 2 weeks, for sea. . An expe- rienced and excellent man can be engaged to take command of her, and she can be purchased, provisioned and got ready for sea for $20,000. If the Commissioners should come to conclusion in favor of the nego- ciacion for the Milam Furtrading and Land Company, I would propose that it be conditional with them, forthwith to advance the funds necessary to pur- chase and fit out the "Chanticleer," and pay the expenses of fitting out the 308 men raised by Col. Macomb, and that I be authorized lo send out the same wilh all possible despatch-That they also be required to advance the cash on my drafts of $20,000, and advance the additional sum necessary to purchase the Steam Boat "Constellation," build a new hulk and fit her out, with all possible dispatch, and I be authorized to attend to the execution of the same. The contract can be executed by the Commissioners here, and de- livered me, to be delivered to the applicants of the Company, on their ac- ceptance of the terms, and Mr. Hall can rec~ive a letter from the Commis- sioners, stating their terms. ' Allow me to say something in this communication, relative to my compen- sation, for my services. In my first letter of instructions, it was left to be determined on my arrival in Texas. Since that time it has occurred to me
Powered by FlippingBook