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PAPERS OF MIRABEAU BuoNAPARTE LAMAR
of the Navy For some time back we have not had a sufficiency of officers and Men for the protection of the Government property. the few men that we have been enabled to get have not had the greater part of the time a sufficient quantity of Provisions for the common subsistence of life It is true the Hon Sec of the Navy has given orders for the purchase of Provisions but I need not call your atten- tion to the difficulty of complying with such directions no means having been placed in my hands for such purchases. The long neglected State of the Navy having induced most persons to believe that much difficulty would be met with in obtaining pay- ment for supplies furnished on the credit of the Government The Station at present is entirely without men except two who have [been] placed on board Brig Potomac by the U S Consul as deserters from the United States Schooner of War Grampus It is a matter 'of pride as well as an imperative duty on my part to lay before your Excellency at the earliest period the statement of facts above made in order to elicite your attention to this important arm of National defence it having ever been generally believed that you have felt the deepest interest in it In eliciting your observittion to the above remarks I most sincerely hope that the pride of an officer may plead a sufficient apology for intruding upon your notice at this early period the present situation of the Service Brought up from an early perjod of life in a School above all others more calculated to impress upon the mind of an officer the responsibilities of his professional duties more particularly when placed in the situation of a commander In reference to our present wants I refer you to Captain Wheel- wright who has been a personal observer of the facts above stated and whose merits an chivalry as an officers and whose sufferings must ever claim the first place in the remembrances of his country With a wish as well as a belief that your Excellency will take an early opportunity of improving the situation and relieving the wants of those who have and may be attached to the Naval Service of the Republic of Texas
I remain with sentiments of high respect & esteem Your l\fost Obdt Servt John W Taylor Comdg Naval Station Galveston
[Endorsed]
John W. Taylor Galveston 9th. Deer. 1838-
John W. Taylor on Naval Subject
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