PAPERS OF MIRABEAU BuoNAPARTE LAMAR 275 plished it, as. far as Mr. Biddles own feelings wishes & tendencies were concerned if in the present state of Texean question and the U. S as connected with our own slave question he had not ascertained that he was likely to encounter serious opposition at his own board.- He therefore thought we had better wait, bide our time, as in a few months events would supervene more especially resulting from the moral influence of your election which would prepare the public mind for the contemplated negociation in Europe if not in this Country.- ----! wrote you that one of the most inauspicious circumstances that could possibly occur which would prevent the recognition of your independence by G. B. & France & by consequence prevent for another year a negociation of your Loan would be a blockade of your ports during the ensuing Winter.- The efforts which I informed you through my Letter by judge vVoodward I had commenced to procure you an armed Steamer, to prevent this result I am happy to tell you were entirely successful. .My success is attributable entirely to the kindness liberality and confidence of James Holford Esqr. an eminent Banker, of London who happen'd to be in New York &whose acquaintance I made when I was in England. This gentleman on my application promptly furnished the means for the purchase equip- ment and armament of this ,Boat, and she is now preparing at New York with all possible dispatch under the immediate supervision of the Navy agent of Texas Saml. M. Williams Esqr.- ---~She will probably armed equipped and provisioned for a three months cruise cost your Republic about $140,000 in your Bonds, but in consequence of her being purchased at half her value & the contracts for her equipment being very reasonable she will cost' Mr. Holford about $70,000 V. S. Currency but she will not only be worth to your Government $150,000 but if she was to be built equipped & armed she would not have been purchased or procured for less than this latter amount.-And even to private Stockholders the day she reaches New Orleans she would be worth as a passage Boat $130,000.- ----The Boat is the new and elegant Steamer Charleston the first cost of which in Philadelphia was $117,000. Her stockholders however committed the singular mistake of placing her Engine & Boilers on Deck, this error combined with the fact that the Delaware Boat would not stand a competition with the shorter route from Bal- timore to Charlestion produced a failure of the Company, and it was under these circumstances the Boat was bonght.-She was examined by Brown the first ship carpenter in New York; who pronounced her in all respects sea worthy of a beautiful marine model & of admirable workmanship In deed she is but 18 months & only performed three voyages We shall have an entire new set of Boilers put in her & these with her engine placed below. We shall .arm her with a long 18 in her Bows & a long 12 in her stern and 4 Medium 32. or carronades 011 her sides-With an abundance of munitions Musket Pistols boarding pikes &c.- As Mr. Holford is not a citizen of the United States, th,'l Title had to be taken in my name. I have placed Capt. Pennoyer who my friend Bee knows very well as the most enterprising skilful & in- trepid S'team Boat Commanders in the U. S. in command of !'ier.- ----1 fear as she is to be put in 'first rate order she will not be ready to to [sic] leave New York on her way to Galveston before the
Powered by FlippingBook