The Papers of Mirabeau Buonaparte Lamar, Volume II

520 ·

TEXAS STATE LIBRARY

Ko. 1184 1839 Apr. 9, BOGERT' & HAWTHORN TO JH. B. LAl\IAR, [HOUSTON]

New orleans April 9th. 1839

To His Excellency

Mirabeau B. Lamar

President of Texas Sir

Our object in taking this liberty of address- ing you is to endeavor to effect a sale to your Government of the Steam Ship Cuba, now plying as a regular Packet between this port & Galveston - 'I'his vessel was built in Baltimore in the year 1837, of the very best materials under the superintendence of an experienced prson, at a cost of upward of $100,000 & last fall above $25,000 was expended on her in New York, in some very important alterations, improve- ments & repairs - She is above 600 tons burthen, coppered & copper fastened, with two large copper Boilers, & has every thing which a vessel of her description can require, either for use or comfort - her accommodations, conveniences, capacity for storrage, strength & speed are not surpassed by any Steam Vessel in the United States - She burns about 170 Bbls coal per day & can carry under deck about 3,000 Bbls, equal to 18 days consumption of fuel - "\Ve enclose a copy of a letter 61 addressed to the writer, by Elihu ~unker of New York, who was appointed by our Congress as one of the Inspectors of Steam Vessels - l\Ir. Bunker has fully as much ,experience in Steam Vessels as any other person in the United 'States, he having been a builder & commander of them ever since the :first application of Steam in this country - As the Cuba is so frequently in habor at Galveston, she can at any time be examined, when her merits will speak for themselves - Our impression is, should your Government feel disposed to pur- chase the Cuba, she could at a very moderate expense be converted into an armed vessel - Our price will be moderate & we would take in payment, the Bonds of Texas, bearing an interest of ten per cent per annum - We shall feel much oblidged by your giving this subject your early attention & trusting you.may excuse this liberty, "\Ve are Very respectfully

Your o bt Sts.

Bogert & Hawthorn [Endorsed] Bogert & Hawthorn

[Addressed] To His Excellency

Mirabeau B. Lamar

N. Orleans 9th. Apl 1839 Respecting a St Boat C~1ba

President of Texas -

"'No. 834.

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